Research & Development

There are a number of research and development bodies operating within the Mildura Region for the agriculture, horticulture and viticulture industries.

These bodies have been established to ensure industries remain in touch with current environmental issues, provide information regarding new and emerging technology and vital technical industry support. Listed below are some of the key research and development groups within the Mildura Region.

Riverlink
Riverlink is a tri-state scientific network servicing horticultural production in the Mildura Region, and South Australia’s Riverland.

It involves four research institutions in a collaborative network with state of the art facilities, employing more than 150 science, development and support staff incorporating:

NSW Department of Primary Industries
Agricultural Research & Advisory Station Dareton, NSW
CSIRO Plant Industry Merbein Victoria
Victorian Department of Primary Industries – Mildura
Primary Industry Resources South Australia/South Australian Research and Development Institute Loxton Agricultural Centre

Riverlink’s focus is high quality science that underpins the success of horticultural industries, while contributing to the sustainability and profitability of the region.

The industries serviced by Riverlink produce almost all of Australia’s dried fruit, more than 50% of its citrus and wine grapes, and 70% of the nation’s table grapes.

T: 61 3 5051 4569
F: 61 3 5051 4523
E:merryl.whyte@dpi.vic.gov.au
www.sardi.sa.gov.au/riverlink/riverlink.htm

Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre
The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) was established in Albury-Wodonga in 1986 and opened the Mildura laboratory in 1996.

The Centre has become one of Australia’s leading sources of scientific advice on freshwater ecological systems.

The MDFRC has a vision of: Healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems in the Murray-Darling Basin. In targeting this vision, the overarching mission of the MDFRC is: The generation, synthesis and communication of freshwater ecological science fundamental to protection and enhancement of the natural assets of the Murray-Daring Basin.

The MDFRC is an unincorporated joint venture between CSIRO, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and La Trobe University with additional investment from the Australian Government through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities.

The Mildura Centre is co-located at La Trobe University’s Benetook avenue campus, reflecting the close relationship between the two organisations.

Research undertaken in the Mildura area includes:

Effects of river flows on native fish recruitment in lowland rivers
Optimising environmental watering protocols to maximise benefits to native flora and fauna
Monitoring and evaluation of ecological condition at Hattah Lakes and Lindsay-Mulcra and Wallpolla Islands for The Living Murray initiative of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority
Wetland acidification and acid sulphate soil investigations
Investigation and conservation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 listed Murray hardyhead; a small bodied fish.

T: +61 3 5051 4050
F: +61 3 5053 6248
E: info@mdfrc.org.au
www.mdfrc.org.au

Mallee Catchment Management Authority
The Mallee Catchment Management Authority’s primary responsibility is to ensure that natural resources in the Victorian Mallee are managed in an integrated and ecologically sustainable way.The Authority was established in 1997, by the Victorian Government, under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act). Its work is based on science and delivered through meaningful partnerships with local organisations, community groups and government agencies in the Victorian Mallee.

The Mallee CMA region covers 3.9 million hectares, which is approximately one fifth of Victoria.

It is the largest catchment area in the state and runs along the Murray River from Nyah to the South Australian border, through areas of high-value irrigated horticulture and national parks, and south through vast dry land cropping areas and public reserves to the Wimmera.

The Mallee CMA’s project responsibilities include the management of: waterways; water quality; biodiversity (including vegetation restoration and threatened species recovery); floodplains; regional drainage; salinity; pest plants and animals; soil health.

The Mallee CMA is also responsible for Landcare support and funding co-ordination, community involvement and education, a regional response to climate change, cultural heritage and monitoring and reporting on the health of the catchment.

PO BOx 5017 Mildura VIC 3502
T: +61 3 5051 4377
F: +61 3 5051 4379
www.malleecma.vic.gov.au

Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority (LMD CMA)

The Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority (LMD CMA) was established in 2004 along with 12 other Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) across New South Wales to ensure regional communities have a say in how natural resources are managed in their catchments.

The LMD CMA delivers funding from NSW and Australian Governments to assist catchment land managers improve and restore the natural resources of the catchment and to administer the Native Vegetation Act 2003.

The LMD CMA covers an area of 6.3 million hectares: from the south bank of the Murray River north to Broken Hill and the Menindee Lakes System and the World Heritage Listed Willandra Lakes including Mungo National Park and from the South Australian border across to Balranald to the western edge of the Murrumbidgee floodplains.

The LMD CMA uses catchment and management targets to develop and expand the actions required to address the natural resources issues and threats as identified by the community.

An investment Strategy also allows funds to be directed appropriately to projects developed by LMA CMA to achieve targets and sustained resilience and to give the best possible value for investment.

32 Enterprise Way Buronga NSW 2739
T: +61 3 5021 9460
F: +61 3 5021 1308
E: lmd@cma.nsw.gov.au
www.lmd.cma.nsw.gov.au

> Sustainable Horticulture – Biodiversity
Sub Program
Miriam Yip
T: + 61 8 5051 4500
Email
DPI
Mildura
> Tree Crops Adrian
Dahlenburg Adelaide
T: + 61 8 8303 9416
Email
SARDI,
Waite Campus
> Vegetables Gerard Kelly
T: + 61 3 5027 4409
Email
NSW DPI
Dareton
> Viticulture Plant Protection
Sub-Program
Dr Bob
Emmett
T: + 61 3 5051 4500
Email
DPI
Mildura
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