And even with the incentive, one participant said attendance was minimal and expressed concern the results would make little difference in the future.
A spokesperson for the MDBA has confirmed the primary objective of the research is to understand basin communities’ information needs and preferences in relation to water and water management information, to inform government decision-making and the MDBA’s ongoing approach to communication and engagement.
“The findings will help to ensure the MDBA’s approach to communications and engagement continues to reflect the changing environmental, economic, and social-cultural landscape of communities in the basin,” the Authority said.
Despite being the primary communications vehicle for a large sector of the southern Riverina, the Pastoral Times did not learn the feedback sessions were taking place until after they were completed.
When asked how participants were selected, the MDBA would only say “the recruitment methodology included a mixture of random sampling and direct approach for sections of industry and stakeholder groups”.
We received the same response when we asked if any media outlets were invited to participate in the sessions.
The MDBA appointed ORIMA Research Pty Ltd to undertake the research, with the Deniliquin sessions carried out by ERG Research.
“The views and perspectives of a broad cross section of basin communities, including irrigators and industry groups/stakeholders are reflected in the market research,” the MDBA spokesperson said.
“These include but are not limited to: general public/local community (including First Nations peoples), irrigators, industry groups/ associations, water authorities/agencies, local government, and representatives from universities/research and development institutions.
“Market research is undertaken every three years and reported publicly through our annual report. There is a baseline audience profile that ORIMA utilises to maintain the integrity of data.
“To maximise participation, recognise the time taken to participate and to ensure a robust sample size, a payment to participants involved in qualitative research (face-to-face focus groups, in-depth interviews) is standard practice in market research.
“This fee is adjusted based on different audiences targeted in the research, and the time they are engaged for.
“As this piece of work is under way, the total cost for 2024 market research remains commercial in confidence. It will be reported publicly in the 2025/26 Annual Report.”
The MDBA would not reveal the exact questions asked of participants due to the same “commercial in confidence” reasons.
Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council president Trevor Clark, who attended the evening session, said as well as going through the early insights paper, participants were asked to share feedback on interactions with the MDBA.
He said there were only about eight participants in the session, with some only finding out about the market research sessions just hours ahead of time.
“I live and work in the water sphere, and I only knew about it when the invite was forwarded to me by a local business,” Mr Clark said.
“So it’s only by luck that I found out about it.”
Mr Clark said while he welcomes every opportunity to try and improve communication and relationships with decision makers on water policy, he said local communities need more meaningful engagement and outcomes.
“I sit on the the New South Wales Irrigators Council and we have put proposal after proposal forward and no-one has ever taken notice of them, so I’m not sure what these sessions will achieve,” he said.
“What we need is for the decision makers and the MDBA to come out and talk to us.
“What the Basin Plan, and particularly the new rounds of water buybacks, is going to do is devastate this region.
“Once water goes, communities like ours will stagnate.
“The Federal Government appears to have an agenda to but more water, and don’t really care about anything else.
“The policy will do nothing but drive the next generation of irrigators away.”
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