This NAIDOC week, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) welcome the launch of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Nations Declaration. This year’s NAIDOC theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’ celebrates five decades of First Nations voices calling for truth, celebrating culture and honouring resistance. The Declaration is a Traditional Owner–led...Read More

In a major milestone for First Nations leadership in environmental watering, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) have signed their first multi-year partnership agreement up to 30 June 2028. Media Release: Joint media release_MLDRIN and CEWH agreement_Nov 2025_MLDRINendorsed.docxRead More

MEDIA RELEASE 2nd September 2025   The Federal Court today has ruled the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan (WRP) is invalid because Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek didn’t read it before she signed it off. The court also found the MDBA acted lawfully in recommending to the Minister that the plan be accredited, even...Read More

MLDRIN welcomes the release of the Victorian Government’s Water is Life Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) welcomes the release of the Victorian Government’s “Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap.” This policy sets pathways for increasing Traditional Owner self-determination and decision-making in water management. It also fulfils a major Victorian Government...Read More

New report illustrates the scale of water injustice in the Murray Darling Basin As part of NAIDOC Week, MLDRIN has launched an illuminating report that illustrates the current state of water injustice in the Murray Darling Basin, including compelling infographics by Tati Tati artist Brendan Kennedy. View the report here. “Returning water to First Nations...Read More

The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) applauds the appointment of Nari Nari man Rene Woods as the first Indigenous member of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Board. ‘Rene Woods has been an incredibly effective and committed advocate for First Nations water justice, as Chair of MLDRIN since 2016,’ said MLDRIN Acting Chair...Read More

First Nations organisations MLDRIN and NBAN will kick off a thorough and independent assessment of all NSW Water Resource Plans (WRPs) today, fulfilling a key regulatory role spelt out in the Basin Plan. In June, the NSW Government submitted the last of 22 WRPs that it is required to prepare under the Murray Darling Basin...Read More

Delegates of 46 Sovereign First Nations have called on all levels of government to urgently address the impacts on their culture, heritage and wellbeing arising from the management of water resources in the Murray Darling Basin. A Joint Gathering of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN)...Read More

MLDRIN has received funding from the Victorian Government to run six Aboriginal Waterways Assessment (AWA) projects in Victorian Water Resource Plan areas! The funding is an exciting opportunity for Traditional Owners to use the AWA tool and document the cultural values and environmental health of waterways on Country. All information and data arising from the...Read More

The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) says changes to the Commonwealth Water Act 2007, brought into Federal Parliament today, are a small step towards water justice for Aboriginal people. The Water Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2015 includes some small changes that will help to reinforce the importance of proper Indigenous...Read More