Mildura
The Mildura Hub incorporates the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers, and an area with a reputation as one of Australia’s vibrant food bowls.
Incorporating three council areas across Victoria and New South Wales, the Mildura Hub provides local communities, businesses, industry and governments the opportunity to understand key vulnerabilities of the region, and supports the community to identify targeted solutions for the effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
The hub is primarily focusing on the adaptation of communities and the agricultural sector to reduced water availability and water demands due to increased evapotranspiration and increased temperature extremes, and greater climatic variability.
Mildura projects
View AllClimate change is projected to decrease river flows by 20% in the Murray–Darling Basin; however, there is uncertainty in how this will unfold. The project will assess potential changes in water supply and demand, helping water users to make informed decisions.
Read MoreWhere we are
The Mildura Hub is located in Mildura in the north west of Victoria at the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC). This hub is strategically located in an area shared with key government agencies, industry bodies and research organisations to ensure the best outcomes for the CRC.
Related information
Contact Mildura Hub>
If you have a question, enquiry or are interested in getting involved with the One Basin CRC’s Mildura projects, get in touch with the Mildura Hub.
About the One Basin CRC>
We are fostering the collaboration between researchers and industry to address significant scientific and technological challenges for the Murray–Darling Basin.
About
The Mildura Hub is located in Mildura in the north west of Victoria at the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC). This hub is strategically located in an area with a presence of federal and state government agencies, an office of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and the Murray–Darling Inspector-General of Water Resources Southern Basin office. It is also home to the headquarters for national peak horticultural industry bodies, SuniTAFE’s Smart Farm and research organisations with a regional presence, including the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University.
The Mildura Hub provides the opportunity for local communities, business and governments to understand key vulnerabilities of the region in detail, offering information and knowledge to support the community to identify targeted solutions for effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change. In particular, the Mildura Hub focuses on the adaptation of communities and the agricultural sector to reduced water availability and water demands due to increased evapotranspiration and increased temperature extremes, and greater climatic variability.
About the region
Home to the confluence of the Murray River and the Darling River at Wentworth in New South Wales, the economic health and wellbeing of the Mildura Hub’s regions are directly linked to water.
This area has a heavy dependence on water sources for both environment and key industries, including horticulture – a key economic contributor to the region. It is critical that the availability and supply of good-quality water is secured for the future.
Regional economy
The combined economic output of the Mildura Rural City, Swan Hill Rural City and Wentworth Shire Council regions is $10.66 billion.
Horticulture is a key contributor to local economies with crops in the Mallee catchment area including:
- Almonds
- Table grapes
- Wine grapes
- Field crops
- Citrus
- Olives
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Stone fruit
- Dried grapes
- Vegetables.
Tourism also contributes significantly to the region’s economy; Mildura has a reputation as a clean, green food bowl with acclaimed restaurants, wineries, distilleries, craft breweries and a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Natural and cultural value
The region’s natural assets include waterways, wetlands and billabongs with rich flora and fauna.
It is also culturally significant, and a recognised gateway to the Mungo National Park and Ramsar listed sites such as the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes.
Cross-border collaboration
The Mildura Hub works collaboratively with all the One Basin CRC regional hubs; however Mildura works particularly closely with the Loxton Hub on shared cross-border issues and solutions. This includes issues and solutions related to viticulture, almonds and citrus industries which are important to both areas.
This collaboration is an important mechanism for overcoming cross-border barriers related to climate adaptation of communities and lead to shared learning by these communities.
Projects
This project seeks to examine divergent perspectives in governance of sites within the Murray-Darling Basin, and how these are navigated to build just outcomes for local communities.
Read MoreThe project will investigate how the diverse values attributed to water in the Murray-Darling Basin can be explored through participatory foresight to promote transformational adaptation to climate change.
Read MoreCyanobacteria toxin uptake in food crops and implications to human...
This project will support sustainable agriculture by exploring toxic cyanobacteria and the health posed when they accumulate in food crops via the use of recycled water for irrigation.
Read MoreThis PhD project aims to improve current water distribution operations. By designing a generic framework to optimise pumping operations, the goal is to help operators better manage water demands and reduce energy expenses.
Read MoreRegional News
Webinar recording: Stress-testing water availability in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin
Read MoreMildura Team
The background, experience and expertise of our people is critical to our success as we nurture the next generation of scientists and leaders in the basin. Our Mildura hub team is led by Peter Forbes, an experienced manager who played an active role in the establishment of Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (from where the One Basin CRC’s Mildura hub is located), and has a deep connection with the Mallee spanning more than 35 years.
Peter Forbes
Mildura Hub Manager, One Basin CRC
Tristan Graham
Postdoctoral researcher, One Basin CRC
Lang Zheng
PhD Student, One Basin CRC
Camaria Holder
PhD Student, One Basin CRC
Kelsy Burns
PhD Student, One Basin CRC
Contact us
Location
Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC)
Building T/453 Benetook Ave, Mildura VIC 3500
Peter Forbes
Mildura Hub Manager, One Basin CRC
If you have a question, enquiry or are interested in getting involved with the One Basin CRC’s Mildura projects, you can contact our regional hub lead Peter Forbes via the enquiry form below.