Over one hundred people gathered at the Garden Hotel on Monday night to hear a number of speakers present their concerns around river flows and water management within the Murray-Darling Basin.
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River ecologist, Bill Johnson, who recently featured on an episode of ABC’s 4 Corners and Lateline gave an overarching perspective on the predicament that the inland rivers are currently facing, and the complexities of water and stake holder management within the Murray Darling Basin.
After allegations of water theft by rogue irrigators were aired recently on the 4 Corners programme, discussions around the management of environmental water and the irrigation industry have been escalated, and of high public interest and priority.
Dubbo event organiser Melissa Gray told Dubbo Catches that “it was a fantastic event, with standing room only by the time the speakers got under way.
Clearly, the health our rivers is of the utmost importance to so many people, and that was clear to see on the night”.
Outdated legislation, perspectives on under recovery and over recovery of the Macquarie River, and methods of water extraction were all talking points in the busy room, that had a diverse mix of past and present water managers, fishers, environmentalists and irrigators present.
Fish screening, and the fact that Australian pumping techniques are decades behind methods used in the United States was also discussed, with a high level of concern amongst fishers and environmentalists that millions upon millions of fish are “lost up the pipes” annually.
The Dubbo meeting kicked off the roadshow which will see 14 public meetings across the basin in three states, concluding in Adelaide on September 22.
All are invited to the events, with fishers, river users such as boaters and canoeists, bird watchers, irrigators and farmers invited to attend.
The Healthy Rivers Roadshow is a collective effort of the Lifeblood Alliance, including the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Inland Rivers Network, Australian Floodplain Association, Australian Conservation Foundation and Birdlife Australia.
Be up to date with rules and regulations
Fishing regulation, such as freshwater and saltwater bag and size limits, apply to help ensure healthy and sustainable fisheries for future generations please make sure you visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs
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