A research institute focussing on the health of the Murray Mouth, Lower Lakes and Coorong was officially opened on Saturday 3 February.

In December 2020, the federal government announced $8 million in funding, after persistent advocacy by Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie, for the research institute.

Ms Sharkie first called for the centre in the lead-up to the 2018 Mayo by-election, citing the critical wetland as an internationally recognised and important region relied upon by local communities for economic, environmental and social wellbeing.

She says the new Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre will contribute to scientific understanding of our most important river system and inform future management decisions for the Murray-Darling Basin.

It is located on the top storey of the Goolwa Aquatic Club on Barrage Road in Goolwa and will be overseen by the Goyder Institute. 

Ms Sharkie says Locating the Centre at the end of the Murray-Darling Basin is intentional and appropriate, given the upstream impacts on the end of the river system.

"Research undertaken at the most vulnerable part of the Murray-Darling Basin is immensely important, and will for the first time provide scientists and policy makers with in-situ evidence based data analysis and research findings for decision making.

“My vision was for the establishment of the Centre based in Goolwa, dedicated to research on how to make our part of the river more resilient to the ebbs and flows of upstream conditions, to find new solutions for the management of salinity, water, wetlands, ecosystems and nutrient levels.  

“I'm very pleased that this project has now been realised and located in Goolwa, its rightful home.

"The Centre will be in a great position to source and share the scientific knowledge of our local communities, including our indigenous communities."