Murray Darling Basin Plan Government And Industry Forum, Friday, 18 February 2011
Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, 155 Darling Street, Dubbo NSW

In order to maintain the current level of co-operation and information sharing, as well as ensuring that governments hear a united and consistent message from Basin Councils and communities, the Murray Darling Association, together with Regional Development Orana is conducting a one day forum in Dubbo on 18th February 2011.

The purpose of the forum is to give Councils, community and industry the opportunity to hear from authoritative speakers in the fields of Regional Development, Government, social and economic research, mental health organisations, the banking/finance community and Local Government.

Based on this information exchange, the forum will then develop a strategy and actions to ensure that Governments are equipped with the information that they need to make appropriate decisions with respect to the future social, economic and environmental condition of the Basin and its communities.

Mr Tony Windsor, Federal Independent and Chair of the Parliamentary Inquiry, has agreed to attend this important forum.
The Hon. Simon Crean MP, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local government, and the Hon Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities have also been invited to attend.

Who else should attend?
Local Government Councilors and senior staff, irrigators, producers, industry leaders, regional development bodies, Catchment Management Authorities and anyone with a stake in how the Basin's water will be managed in the future.

The Murray Darling Association has been very active in representing Local Government interests over many years and has enjoyed many successes. I now urge you to attend this very important forum to send a strong and united message to the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the governments of Australia to develop a Basin Plan that meets the social, economic and environmental needs of the Basin in a fair, sustainable and equitable manner.

Ken Rogers,
Murray Darling Association-National President

FORUM PROGRAM
9:15am Registration
10:00am Welcome to the Forum-MDA National President, Ken Rogers
10:10am Welcome to Dubbo-Mayor Allan Smith
10:20am Key note address-Hon Simon Crean (TBC)
10:40am Key note address-Hon Tony Burke (TBC)
11:00am Closing statement-Mr Tony Windsor MP
11:15am Morning Tea
Local government perspective
11:30am Queensland-Mayor Ray Brown-Western Downs Shire Council
11:45pm NSW-Mayor Rex Wilson-Warren Shire Council
12:00pm Victoria-Mayor Ed Cox - Moira Shire Council/Chairman-Murray River Group of Councils
12:15pm South Australia-Mayor Neil Martinson-Renmark-Paringa Council
12.30pm ALGA President-Ms Genia McCaffery
12:45pm Panel Q & A session
1:15pm Lunch
Industry perspective
1:45pm Mr Jock Laurie-President, National Farmers Federation
2:05pm Mr Danny O'Brien-National Irrigators Council
2:25pm Prof Margaret Alston-Monash University
2:45pm Australian Bankers Association (TBA)
3:10pm Afternoon Tea
3:25pm Panel Session and Q & A-Where to from here? (All speakers)
3:50pm Proposed communiqué to be delivered to the Government inquiries and to the MDBA
4:00pm Forum close