About the Basin

The Murray-Darling Basin is facing the large changes over the coming years.

Big shifts are occurring in the region's key industries. Agriculture and mining will change as new developments occur and in response to international market trends, drought and government decisions.

People are moving and communities are changing rapidly. Some are getting bigger, while others are shrinking or ceasing to exist all together.

The environment is also under pressure from climate change, lack of water and species losses.

How people across the Basin respond to these changes will determine the future of the Basin. The future is full of big hazards and great opportunities.

The challenge is for people, business and government to come together and work to take advantage of the opportunities, but avoid the hazards.

Some Basin Facts:

• The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s largest connected river system.
• The Basin stretches from south-west Queensland to the sea in south-east South Australia.
• It covers over 1 million square kilometres or 14% of Australia.
• The Basin is home to over 2 million people or about 10% of Australia’s population.
• Most people in the Basin live in 19 major regional centres in the Basin. Canberra is the largest city in the Basin followed by Toowoomba and Bendigo.
• The biggest employers in the Basin are public administration followed by retail trade, and agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
• The Basin is Australia’s most important agricultural region accounting for approximately 40% of agricultural production (65% of irrigated agriculture).
• The Basin is also home to some of Australia’s most important and fragile environments. Of the 23 key rivers in the Basin only one is identified as being in good health.