Independent MP Mayo Rebekha Sharkie hosted an information session on the Murray Darling Basin following the recent passage of the Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Bill 2023 through the House of Representatives. 

The session was held at the Langhorne Creek Bowls Club on Wednesday 1 November.

While the Bill is now in the Senate, the information session provided the local community with an opportunity to hear from Ms Bridgett Leopold, Deputy Inspector-General of

Water Compliance and Dr Alec Rolston, Director of The Goyder Institute.

Ms Leopold detailed the comprehensive undertakings of the statutory office of the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, its responsibilities for governance, communications, media, field operations and intergovernmental relations.

Dr Rolston spoke extensively on the Research Hub, to be located in Goolwa, made possible through the advocacy of Rebekha Sharkie, who secured federal funding for the initiative.  

The information session was well-attended by local community, industry, council, state government, community group, and industry body representatives.

Core themes of discussion centred around the complexity of the Murray Darling system and the finite nature of Australia's most precious resource, water.  

Ecological fragility of the Murray River and the desire to balance commercial agricultural activities and environmental needs in a non-adversarial manner were also discussed.

Ms Sharkie says community interest in the return of 450GL environmental water is high as we again anticipate the drying influence of an El Niño weather pattern this summer.

"The Deputy Inspector-General of Water Compliance, Ms Bridgett Leopold, and Director of The Goyder Institute, Dr Alec Rolston, provided a wonderful insight into their respective roles and answered many well-considered questions from attendees.

"We have only returned 26GL of the 450GL environmental water commitment, of which only 2GL was recovered by the former Government.  

"The information session provided an opportunity for everyone from local residents to industry bodies to hear from experts in the field of compliance and research and ask questions."

If passed in the Senate the Bill would extend the delivery deadline for the return environmental water to the river system, to enable the states to find ways to comply with the 450GL requirement.

The Australian Greens oppose the Bill in its current form because the oversight mechanisms are not strong enough.