The Murray River Group of Councils attended the conference alongside representatives from environmental groups, farmers, academics and government agencies.
MRGC chairperson and delegate Cr Stuart King said the summit led to important conversations about the ongoing Murray-Darling Basin Plan review.
“The focus of the conference was the basin plan review, providing a rare and valuable opportunity for leaders with differing perspectives to engage, share insights and build stronger relationships,” he said.
Cr King said discussions highlighted support for refocusing the basin plan on practical outcomes.
“The summit was a timely reminder that the basin plan review is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to improve water management across the basin and learn from the past 14 years,” he said.
“The next version of the basin plan has to ensure that water resources are managed in a way that delivers environmental outcomes, supports thriving regional communities and secures sustainable food production in northern Victoria.
“I also welcomed comments from Andrew McConville acknowledging that the discussion paper could have placed greater emphasis on food production and basin communities — a perspective MRGC has long championed,” Cr King said.
In a statement, the MRGC said it would continue to advocate for basin communities to be at the heart of the plan.
Submissions for the basin plan review are open until May 1.
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