Background to the Tools project

The Murray-Darling Basin Commission 'Tools' project aims to improve the management of dryland salinity throughout the Murray-Darling Basin by providing greater access to the information and knowledge acquired from regional, state, national and international salinity programs, particularly research and development programs.

Considerable effort is being applied to further understand dryland salinity, and to appreciate how to manage it within the range of catchment conditions found in Australia. Some of the major programs involved in this work are:

• Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australia (AFFA) R&D programs

• Cooperative Research Centres

• CSIRO research programs

• Environment Australia programs

• MDBC Strategic Investigations and Education Program

• National Dryland Salinity Program

• National Land and Water Resources Audit Program

• National Research and Development Corporations

• State Land & Water Management Agencies R&D programs throughout Australia

What is the aim of the project?

The aim of the Tools project is to make sure that the knowledge acquired from research programs is not lost, rather that it is distilled and interpreted and made available to the regional catchment communities of the Murray-Darling Basin for incorporation into local salinity planning activities.

This project will support regional communities that are trying to manage dryland salinity by building the skills, knowledge and information base amongst key agency and community leaders within each catchment.

What will the Tools project produce?

The Tools project will produce a number of products during its 3 years of operation. This will include:

• A series of information and planning workshops providing access to up-to-date salinity knowledge

• A network of people accessible across the Basin who can offer professional salinity management advice or provide opportunities for collaborative local and regional planning

• A comprehensive package of information sheets, covering Basin-wide and regional salinity issues and management strategies

Click here for details of the Tools Project team.