Presentation 1: The Living Murray Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray
Mouth program
The Living Murray 20th anniversary celebration - Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Wednesday 28 February 2024, Goolwa
Adrienne Rumbelow
Program Leader, Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth
Department for Environment and Water
Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Science and honours degree in Environmental Biology from The University of Adelaide, and has been working to protect South Australia’s River Murray wetlands, including the Lower Lakes and Coorong, for the last 20 years. Her role focuses on the planning and delivery of water for the environment to the Coorong and Lower Lakes.
The 20th anniversary celebration of The Living Murray program
In 2003, The Living Murray (TLM) was created in response to the declining ecological state of the River Murray, with the aim of restoring and sustaining the 6 TLM icon sites. The icon sites were selected due to their high ecological and economic value, as well as their cultural and heritage significance to Traditional Owners. All icon sites are regionally, nationally and internationally significant and are recognised under international agreements such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The 6 icon sites include:
• Barmah–Millewa Forest (NSW)
• Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forests (Vic)
• Hattah Lakes (Vic)
• Chowilla Floodplains and Lindsay–Wallpolla–Mulcra Islands (SA/Vic)
• Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth (SA)
• River Murray Channel (SA)
TLM was an important precursor to the Basin Plan and has laid a strong foundation for the restoration of the Basin’s wetlands, floodplains and rivers. TLM’s robust ecological monitoring program also informs water planning and delivery decisions.
Over the past 20 years, the health of the River Murray icon sites has improved through the operation of infrastructure, the recovery and delivery of almost 500 GL of water for the environment, and improved river management.
TLM is a collaboration between the Australian Government, Basin states (South Australian, Victorian and New South Wales governments) and First Nations, coordinated by the Mur-ray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
For more information, visit environment.sa.gov.au/TLM
