The Morrison-McCormack Government is delivering on its commitment to put communities back at the heart of the Murray-Darling Basin and is pleased to officially announce the opening of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Murray Bridge regional office.
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt MP said 14 staff are now working from the Murray Bridge office and this is a great example of the Coalition Government’s investment in regional jobs and boosting the capacity of local communities.
“To help develop and maintain strong links with the communities who rely on the health of the Basin to work, live and thrive, over the past year the MDBA has established new offices here in Murray Bridge and also in Mildura and Griffith,” Minister Pitt said.
“It is vital that we have local staff working across the million square kilometres of the Murray–Darling Basin to ensure we’re receiving valuable community input on water management.
“This is especially important for Murray Bridge residents, who witness the peak of our most important river system as it flows past their doors every day.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the office was a big win for Murray Bridge.
“People who live in river communities have a deep understanding of how the water resource should be managed in addition to how critical it is to see ongoing action in delivering vital water for our environment and communities,” Mr Pasin said.
“This office ensures South Australians have their voices heard as we roll out the Basin Plan and has created valuable employments opportunities which is a real win for the for the local economy.
“A MDBA office in the basin in South Australia is confirmation our Government is putting local communities at the heart of the Basin Plan.”
Murray Bridge and Adelaide Regional Manager Brent Williams said the new team was already building strong working relationships with the community.
“While COVID-19 has made it a little tricker to engage in the more traditional sense, we are still developing great connections and sharing information and knowledge.”
“These new relationships are making a difference and we will keep building on that as we engage more and more in these communities.
“The Lower Murray region’s production of dairy, wine, fruit and vegetable relies on irrigated agriculture and we know how important these industries are to Basin communities. Our tourism is also based around the beauty of the Murray, so the health of the river is vital for tourism-related businesses.”
Mr Williams said the MDBA aimed to have a third of the MDBA workforce living and working in Basin communities by the middle of 2021.
“We are delighted that some Canberra staff were eager to move to Murray Bridge as part of the Australian Government’s decentralisation plan and they feel welcomed by the community. We were also pleased to attract experienced staff from South Australia and more broadly.
MDBA newly established offices at Murray Bridge, Mildura and Griffith complement the eight regional offices across the Basin, which include Albury-Wodonga, Toowoomba, Adelaide, Goondiwindi and Canberra.
Media contact: Marnie Hobson 0407 090 230
