Conference to make a splash

The nation’s gaze will turn to Narrabri in June as the shire gets ready to host visitors attending the Murray Darling Basin Authority conference.

An audience of 200 typically attends the conference, and it is hoped the MDBA event will draw a similar number.

The conference will be a welcome boost to accommodation and hospitality venues as well as retail businesses.

The Crossing Theatre will serve as the base venue for the event, however, field visits are also anticipated.

The conference will be held on June 14 and 15 and is being titled ‘River Reflections’.

Chief executive Andrew McConville said this year’s program included an outstanding line-up of more than 30 speakers and panellists presenting on a variety of topics, with a distinct northern Basin flavour.

“River Reflections is an important opportunity for people living and working in the Basin to connect, to reflect and to exchange ideas,” Mr McConville said.

“This year it is a great thrill to be hosting Professor Poff from the United States who will share his international perspective on water management, guided by his work in the Colorado River Basin, where balancing water for society and ecosystems in a changing climate continues to be one of the biggest challenges.”

“There’ll also be a host of national and local presenters, who will provide their insights on opportunities, challenges and innovations in industry, communities, and river and ecosystem health,” Mr McConville said.

“We’ll also hear from MDBA chair Sir Angus Houston on the next steps in managing the Basin’s rivers for future generations.”

The two-day program includes a combination of on-ground tours, conference presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

On the interim program, visits are scheduled for Merced Farming (Wee Waa), the University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute, the Australian Cotton Research Institute and the Narrabri Fish Farm.

A dinner will be held at The Crossing Theatre at the conclusion of the first day of the conference.

A steering committee made up of local government, industry, community and First Nations representatives has provided guidance on the River Reflections 2023 conference program.

The 2023 conference will also see a wide range of national and local speakers sharing their insights and perspectives on challenges and innovations, community resilience, and river and ecosystem health.