“The Committee will provide a valuable community perspective in advising the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Ministerial Council on a range of water resource, environmental, cultural and socio-economic matters,” Senator Wong said.

“Collectively, the new committee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to advise and assist the Murray-Darling Basin Authority through the process of developing the new Basin Plan, including sustainable limits on surface and groundwater use across the Basin.

“They bring a comprehensive mix of knowledge and skills relevant to Basin communities, irrigated agriculture, environmental management, indigenous issues, and water use.”

The committee will be chaired by Joan Burns, Victoria.

The other members are:

Danielle Anderson (NSW), Les Gordon (NSW), Cheryl Buchanan (QLD), Arlene Buchan (VIC), Ian Falconer (ACT), Mary-Lou Gittins (QL, Henry Jones (SA), Sarah Nicholas (VIC), Jeff Parish (SA), Russell Pell (VIC), Kathryn Ridge (NSW), Matthew Rigney (SA), Guy Roth (NSW), Dick Thompson (NSW), Rory Treweeke (NSW).

The MDBA will be represented on the committee by the four part-time authority board members on a rotational basis. They are Ms Dianne Davidson, Dr Diana Day, Mr David Green and Professor Barry Hart.

The committee will form three subcommittees on irrigation, environmental water, and indigenous matters.

The first meeting of the committee will be in Canberra in July and it will also meet in regional areas to encourage discussions with the Basin community.

“The new Basin Plan will develop an integrated, strategic and sustainable way of managing water resources for all Basin users, and the committee’s role as informed community participants will be crucial to the plan’s development,” Senator Wong said.