MDBA supports CRC for cotton industry & communities

18 Aug '11

2 min read

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has moved to forge stronger working relations with the Australian cotton industry and cotton communities in the northern basin. The MDBA has announced that it will support the proposed 2 for Cotton Regions - which is a five-year extension of the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC - by providing $5.32 million in cash and in-kind contributions.

MDBA Chair, Craig Knowles said the proposal represents a unique opportunity for the Authority to work in a strategic partnership with credible and established networks that are advancing natural resource management, as well as industry and community development, in the northern basin.

"The partnership will enable the MDBA to tap into these networks through a single door," Mr Knowles said. "Since its establishment, the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC has delivered high-quality collaborative research supporting the development and adoption of best practice cotton production, environmental management and community development."

Mr Knowles said the proposed CRC for Cotton Regions addresses matters of direct relevance to the MDBA in the northern basin including: salinity; community development; river health and riparian restoration; and environmental watering and integrated management of major wetlands. He said there is a natural and strong alignment between the Authority's goals and the stated outcomes of the proposed CRC for Cotton Regions.

The MDBA has a particular interest in:

• Increasing water-use efficiency;
• Improving the condition of riverine and riparian ecosystems; environmental watering and integrated management of major wetlands.
• Balancing socio and economic objectives in the basin; and
• Improving understandings around coal seam gas water.

"The MDBA's in-kind contributions will include coordinating MDBA involvement in the CRC's projects, contributions to community and industry forums, project liaison and providing access to MDBA data and information to support projects."

Mr Knowles said the proposed collaboration with the CRC for Cotton Regions provides a structured way of advancing knowledge of water resource planning and management in collaboration with industry, communities and agencies working in the northern basin.

The Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre was established by the Australian Government in 2005 and is based at Narrabri, NSW. It is funded by the Australian Government and other partner organisations until June 2012.

Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)

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