Narrandera Shire Council is supporting a regional advocacy campaign calling for greater recognition of the impacts of ongoing water recovery and water reform on Basin communities, agriculture and local economies.

The campaign has been endorsed by the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO), representing councils across the Riverina and Murray regions, including Narrandera Shire Council.

The decision was made at the RAMJO board meeting held at Tocumwal on 7 August, where mayors from across the region discussed the importance of ensuring regional voices are heard in decisions about the future of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Developed in partnership with the Murray Darling Association, the community-led campaign will share real stories from Basin communities through a series of short videos.

The campaign will highlight the social, economic and environmental impacts of water policy decisions on local families, businesses, industries and communities.

Water is vital to Narrandera Shire

For Narrandera Shire, secure and reliable water is fundamental to the future of local agriculture and the broader regional economy.

Agriculture supports local jobs, businesses and families, while contributing to Australia’s food and fibre production.

Council believes healthy rivers and a healthy environment must be balanced with the need to maintain strong, productive and sustainable regional communities.

Mayor of Narrandera Shire Council, Cr Neville Kschenka OAM, said the region understood the importance of caring for the environment, while supporting the land that produces food and fibre for Australia. 

“We are concerned that although the great state of NSW has almost nine million people, less than three million people provide 70 per cent of the wealth.

“We do that by caring for the land where produce is grown and feeds the nation. We understand how to care for the land, and the environment, and how our rivers should be managed.  But without water, Australia will become a net importer of food and fibre. 

“We have to cease the water buy-backs before it is too late.”

A shared vision for the Basin

RAMJO has identified a number of priorities, including greater certainty around future water recovery, completing existing water recovery projects and transparently assessing their outcomes, ensuring environmental watering delivers measurable benefits, addressing threats such as invasive carp, and investing in secure town water supplies and critical infrastructure.

The campaign also calls for stronger governance of water trading and greater transparency and accountability in the management of environmental water.