We CAN have a living river and communities that thrive in partnership with it. A better future is possible, but we need to come together to reach this vision.

The Basin Plan is being reviewed in 2026. This is a critical time and it’s up to us to ensure our rivers have a voice – and that governments feel pressure to make the big, bold changes needed to secure a healthy, thriving future for Australia’s biggest river system.

We’re calling for

More water for rivers

Too much water has been taken from inland rivers for too long, denying them the flows they need to be healthy. When rivers have the water they need, they sustain a thriving web of birds, plants, fish, molluscs and other animals in a myriad of wetlands, aquifers and floodplains. Rivers need water so they can continue to support the oldest living culture on the planet. We need to set targets to return that water to the river, taking into account the impacts of a hotter, drier climate, and confidently measuring our progress.

Natural rhythm of river flows

Rivers need to flood regularly. The floodplain developed over thousands of years to support a delicate mosaic of different vegetation and habitat. Centuries-old River Red Gums, riverine wetlands and Black Box woodlands need a cycle of wetting and drying. Allowing more regular small to medium floods would sustain these places and reduce the severity of blackwater events. By collaborating with communities on the floodplain, upgrading and relocating flood-prone infrastructure, these landscapes can get the water they need. We can restore natural flows, instead of re-engineering the floodplain.

Water justice for Traditional Owners

The Basin is the ancestral domain for over 40 First Nations but colonisation has left them with few rights over land and water. Over-extraction and water markets have doubled down on this dispossession – further damaging Country, disempowering Traditional Owners in water management and denying their share of wealth made from their land. Until we address this history, any pursuit of reconciliation will remain out of reach. Recognising self-determination means returning water to support cultural traditions and community development. We need to make sure First Nations have a say over how rivers and Country are managed.

Water market within ecological limits

The current water market is flawed, leading to negative impacts on both people and the environment. Speculators and large corporations are making huge profits, while local communities suffer. Dishonest actors, such as those building illegal dams and exploiting loopholes in water-sharing plans, have undermined the system. This has disrupted the natural flow of rivers, damaging riverbanks and harming fish populations. We need a water market that serves the needs of people and respects ecological limits.

Resilient regional communities

River communities are entitled to employment, income, education, health care, decent housing and a high standard of living. Regional communities are also on the front lines of climate change, disappearing river flows and erratic flood events. We need ongoing funding for communities to adapt to a drying climate with diverse, resilient economies.