Meandering thousands of kilometres across south-eastern Australia, the rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling hold special significance for us all.

For First Nations People of the Murray-Darling Basin, these waters are a sacred source of life – central to spirituality, culture and wellbeing. For migratory birds like the curlew sandpiper, which travel thousands of kilometres from the other side of the world, wetlands are a refuge. For farmers and irrigators, rivers are connected to their livelihood. And for thousands of Australians, the basin provides drinking water, as well as a a place to enjoy fishing, bird-watching, boating, kayaking and swimming. 

But for others, the Murray-Darling has become a resource to profit off. Since colonisation began 200 years ago, rivers have been polluted, diverted and bled dry. We now have a system where big corporates dominate the water market. Traditional Owners have little say over their lands and water, despite decades of promises. And hundreds of threatened species are being pushed to the brink of extinction, without the water they need to survive. On top of all this, a hotter, drier climate is ramping up the stakes.

To restore the Murray-Darling back to health, we need to reimagine a better future that puts healthy rivers and healthy communities at the centre. To get there, we need a movement of people from across Australia speaking up.

Resilient regional communities