water

• NO WATER BUYBACKS IF THEY HURT COMMUNITIES

It used to be illegal for the Federal Government to buy water from the Murray-Darling Basin system if those purchases were going to have a negative socio-economic impact on communities. But recently, Federal Labor quietly scrapped this law so it could buy up water for political reasons, even though it will mean destroying rural towns and cities.

• NO MORE FAKE LAKES

The entire Murray-Darling Basin system is rigged to provide fresh water to South Australia’s Lower Lakes, which have been proven to be historically estuarine—naturally filled with tidal salt water and fresh water. They are fake lakes, closed off from the sea by man-made barrages. This is unnatural and is destroying the Coorong.

• LET SA MAKE ITS OWN WATER

South Australia has a desalination plant it barely uses. This plant could provide half of all the water needed for the state. South Australia is the driest state in the driest continent on earth. It needs to start making its own water.

• COUNT EACH DROP PROPERLY

The accounting of water in the system is a disaster. Floodplain harvesting in the north isn’t monitored, and accurate water metering doesn't happen in many parts of the Basin. Meanwhile, environmental flows are estimated rather than measured, and flood events don’t contribute towards these flows. This is made worse by the fact that different governments count the flows in different ways.

• WATER QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

The Federal Government has been obsessed with having more water while ignoring poor water quality issues like pollution, salinity, and invasive species like carp.

• BAN GOVERNMENT FLOODS

As part of its disastrous mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin, the Federal Government now wants the right to flood private properties year after year to get water to certain rivers, wetlands, and floodplains.

• INCREASE WATER CAPACITY AND DOWNSTREAM STORAGE

One of the key solutions to addressing water shortages in the Murray-Darling Basin is to expand water capacity and improve downstream storage. This can be achieved by increasing the storage capacity of key infrastructure like Burrinjuck Dam and utilizing Lake Coolah as an additional water storage facility.

health

• MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND DRUG & ALCOHOL REHAB

Mental health services and drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Murray are severely underfunded and inaccessible. Long wait times, a lack of local facilities, and inadequate government support leave communities struggling to address these growing issues.

• MND – NOTIFIABLE DISEASE & LAKE WYANGAN

Concerns about motor neurone disease (MND) potentially linked to blue-green algae in Lake Wyangan have raised alarm in the community. The government has failed to identify MND as a notifiable disease, meaning that cases cannot be properly recorded and trends cannot be found.

• MLHD

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is struggling to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities like Leeton and Deniliquin. Calls to break away and establish a dedicated health district reflect frustration over inadequate services, insufficient funding, and poor management. Additionally, nurses and midwives at Leeton Hospital face pay discrepancies and staffing shortages, exacerbating the crisis in rural healthcare delivery.

• AMBULANCE HUBS

Ambulance hubs in Murray are critically understaffed and under-resourced, leading to slower response times and jeopardizing community safety. Despite increasing demand, the government has failed to prioritize investment in rural ambulance infrastructure, leaving residents without the timely emergency care they need.

• PARAMEDICS

Paramedics in Murray are overworked, underpaid, and often lack access to adequate training opportunities. The disparity in pay and career development compared to their urban counterparts makes it difficult to attract and retain skilled paramedics in regional communities, ultimately compromising emergency care.

• ACCOMMODATION

In Murray, the lack of adequate accommodation for nurses and patient families is a significant barrier to healthcare delivery. Nurses face challenges relocating to rural areas due to insufficient housing options, while families of patients struggle to find affordable accommodations when supporting loved ones in treatment.

• AMBULANCE STATIONS

The lack of adequately staffed and resourced ambulance stations in Moama, Tocumwal, and Darlington Point leaves these communities vulnerable to delayed emergency responses. Current facilities are stretched thin, with insufficient investment to meet the growing demands of these rural areas, putting lives at risk.

• ENDO

Endometriosis remains a poorly understood and under-addressed condition that disproportionately impacts women, particularly in rural areas where specialist healthcare access is limited. Hosting dedicated forums in parliament would elevate awareness, drive policy change, and push for better funding and healthcare resources to support women living with endometriosis.

• AGED CARE

Aged care in Murray is in crisis due to chronic underfunding, staffing shortages, and inadequate facilities. Older residents often face long wait times for care or are forced to relocate far from their communities and families.

• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence in Murray is exacerbated by isolation, limited access to support services, and a lack of safe housing for victims. Current measures fail to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities, leaving many victims without the help they need to escape abusive situations.

• IPTAS

The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) is a critical service for residents in Murray who must travel long distances for medical care. However, many find the process overly complex, with inadequate reimbursement rates that fail to cover actual travel and accommodation costs, placing an additional burden on those already facing health challenges.

agriculture

• CARP ERADICATION

Carp infestation in the Murray River is a long-standing issue, devastating aquatic ecosystems and harming agriculture reliant on healthy waterways. The government’s slow and inconsistent approach to carp eradication is leaving local communities and farmers bearing the cost.

• VET SHORTAGE

The agriculture sector in rural NSW, particularly in Murray, is facing a critical shortage of skilled workers due to a lack of accessible vocational education and training (VET) programs. Government cuts to TAFE, inadequate regional training opportunities, and a failure to align VET programs with the needs of rural industries exacerbate the problem.

• CROWN LAND

The availability of crown land for housing development is essential to supporting rural communities. However, bureaucratic red tape and government inaction are limiting the release of crown land. MORE NEEDS TO BE RELEASED FOR HOUSING.

• WINE GRAPE GROWERS

Wine grape growers in the Murray region are facing financial uncertainty as banks increasingly classify them as high-risk borrowers. This is driven by fluctuating market conditions, oversupply issues, and inconsistent government support for the wine industry.

• RAA RURAL ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY

The Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) is meant to provide critical financial support to farmers during challenging times. However, excessive delays in processing applications and frequent refusals are leaving struggling farmers without the help they desperately need.

• YANGA NATIONAL PARK

Yanga National Park, once a thriving agricultural station, was converted into a national park, limiting its agricultural productivity and economic contribution to the region.

education

• MRHS SPORTS HALLS FIT FOR PURPOSE

MRHS currently has no sports or multipurpose hall, leaving students without a proper venue for physical education, assemblies, performances, or community events.

• MRHS UNIFORMS

MRHS uniforms should reflect the culture and identity of the two sites.

This should be made a priority with pledged funding from the Minister for Education.

• MORE TEACHERS NEEDED IN THE BUSH

Murray faces a critical shortage of teachers, resulting in larger class sizes, reduced subject offerings, and overworked staff. The lack of incentives and support for teachers to relocate to the bush perpetuates educational inequality, leaving rural students at a disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts.

• SPECIALISED TEACHERS

Special needs students in Murray are being let down by a lack of specialised teachers and resources. Many schools struggle to provide tailored support due to underfunding and difficulties attracting qualified staff. This leaves vulnerable students without the opportunities they deserve to thrive.

housing

• AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Murray is facing a severe shortage of affordable housing, pushing families and workers out of the region or into financial stress. Rising construction costs, lack of investment, and insufficient release of land for development are driving the crisis. This issue impacts the local workforce, economy, and community stability.

• SOCIAL HOUSING

Social housing in Murray is in crisis, with long waiting lists, poorly maintained properties, and insufficient new developments to meet growing demand.

• CANCER CARE ACCOMMODATION

Cancer care patients in Murray often face significant challenges accessing treatment, including the lack of nearby accommodation for patients and their families. This forces many to travel long distances or bear the financial burden of temporary housing, adding unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.

infastructure

• DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY

The transition from 3G to 4G is crucial for improving connectivity in Murray, yet inadequate mobile coverage and blackspots along highways continue to jeopardize safety and hinder access to emergency services. Farmers, businesses, and families struggle with unreliable networks that impact daily operations. Similarly, the NBN rollout in Murray has been plagued by slow speeds, poor coverage, and unreliable connections, creating a significant digital divide. This lack of tailored investment leaves rural communities at a disadvantage, with limited access to essential services, education, and opportunities compared to urban areas.

• RAIL CROSSINGS

Rail crossings in Murray are critical for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods and people. However, outdated infrastructure and insufficient crossing locations pose extremely high risks, recently the cause of an unnecessary fatality.

• NARRANDERA–TOCUMWAL RAIL LINE

The Narrandera–Tocumwal rail line is a vital transport link for Murray, offering significant potential to support freight, agriculture, and regional connectivity. However, the line requires upgrades and revitalization to handle modern freight demands and ensure efficient operation, benefiting local industries and reducing reliance on road transport.

• TOOLEYBUC BRIDGE

The Tooleybuc Bridge is a crucial connection for Murray, facilitating transport, trade, and daily travel between communities. However, the bridge’s aging structure struggles to meet current traffic demands, posing safety and efficiency challenges for locals, businesses, and freight operators.

transport

• SPEED LIMITS: CHILDCARE CENTRES

Speed limits around childcare centres in Murray are essential for ensuring the safety of young children and their families. Lowering speed limits during peak drop-off and pick-up times can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for the community.

• NARROW BRIDGE SIGNAGE

Narrow bridges in Murray require clear and prominent signage to ensure driver safety and prevent accidents. Without adequate warning, these crossings can become hazardous, particularly for larger vehicles and during poor visibility conditions.

• RURAL ROAD MAINTENANCE

Road maintenance in Murray is critical for ensuring safe and efficient travel for residents, businesses, and emergency services. Poorly maintained rural roads lead to safety hazards, unnecessary fatalities, increased vehicle wear and tear, and disruptions to transport and logistics essential for local industries.

gambling

• POKIE REFORM

Poker machines are causing significant harm in Murray, where gambling addiction drains local economies and devastates families. The lack of meaningful reform allows big gambling interests to profit at the expense of vulnerable individuals. Rural areas bear the brunt of this, with limited access to support services for those struggling with addiction.

• ADDICTION RECOVERY

Gambling addiction in Murray is overlooked, with minimal access to recovery programs and support services. There has been a failure to provide adequate funding for counselling, rehabilitation, and community initiatives, leaving individuals and families without the resources needed to break free from the cycle of addiction.

• CASHLESS CARD

A cashless gambling card is a critical step in reducing gambling-related harm, particularly in vulnerable rural communities like Murray. By limiting large cash transactions and promoting accountability, this reform will help curb addiction while ensuring funds are directed responsibly. It’s a forward-thinking solution that prioritizes community welfare without banning gambling altogether.