CANBERRA, ACT, Oct. 29 -- Murray-Darling Basin Authority issued the following news release:
Those who call the Lower Murray home care deeply about the health of its waterways - including Murray Bridge local and MDBA Regional Engagement Officer (REO), Kate Barlett.
Kate not only grew up and raised her own family on the river, but she also helps run her family dairy farm that relies on water from the river to irrigate the land.
Living and working through times of drought has left Kate with a deep appreciation for water - in that it's a limited resource that needs to be carefully managed.
"I love my life on the River Murray, and I want to do everything I can to ensure that one day, my future grandkids get to experience the benefits of the river as I have for all these years," says Kate.
Driven by this purpose, Kate stepped outside her farm gate to become a REO with the MDBA. Over the last 3 years, she has been hard at work establishing her role in the region and developing local networks.
"Water is so complex, and I love it when people come to me with their questions and I can connect them to the right answer or just help them with their water literacy."
In September this year, Kate hosted a tour of the Lower Murray with our Chief Executive Andrew McConville. Together they led a group of representatives from the MDBA and other water agencies to various locations - from the Murray Mouth back up to Mannum.
The group met with a diverse range of industries, First Nations peoples and community groups to listen and learn about key issues affecting water and the environment in the region. Their discussions explored what a healthy river means for different people - including its importance to tourism, the local economy, mental health and the many towns and family-owned businesses who rely on water.
"We heard a lot of concern over the environmental condition of the south lagoon in the Coorong and Lake Alexandrina as we go into summer," says Kate.
"There was also a lot of discussion about water quality in the lower Murray, and the need to monitor more than just salinity levels."
"Overall, we found people in the region were more open and honest with us than ever. They really appreciated the opportunity to speak directly to us and raise important issues that were impacting them."
Kate, along with all our other REOs are already planning for a busy start to 2026 as we prepare for the Basin Plan Review (BPR). This will begin with the release of a Discussion Paper in early 2026, followed by a public consultation that will run for a minimum of 12 weeks.
"This is everyone's chance to look back on what's worked, what hasn't, and what might need to change for a healthy Basin - and to have their say about the way forward," says Kate.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
