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July 2017
​Pumped: Who's benefiting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?

In July 2017, ABC's Four Corners brought to light serious allegations of corruption and theft of water in the Barwon Darling, upstream of the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling. FInd out more and watch the show here.

June 2017
Commonwealth Government purchases $78 million water fron Menindee Lakes property, Tandou. This sounds the death nell for the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling River

Last week the Commonwealth Government purchased Tandou's water license for $78 million, and politicians immediately came out stating that this meant Menindee Lakes and the Lower Darling River would no longer require water security...

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A big thanks to Sue Neales and The Australian for making this front page news! 

​To read the story, click here, or download the PDF of the article. 
"Farmers fear the Darling's down and out", The Australian
File Size: 1133 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File



​Kate McBride providing an update on what the purchase of water from Tandou really means for Menindee Lakes and the Lower Darling
. 

Petition to save the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

We are calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to finish what he started in 2006, and make sure the Murray-Darling Basin Plan:
  • Legally dedicates 3,200 GL of river water to our rivers so they can flow.
  • Removes barriers and outdated rules so our rivers can replenish natural floodplains.
  • Uses the best available science to manage the current and future impact of changes in the climate.
  • Is overseen by transparent institutions we can trust to look after our rivers and ensure everyone plays by the rules.

Sign our petitions here! Please note, the signatures of both will be combined when we take them to Canberra, so please sign the petition which most resonates with you: 
  • Protect sustainable farming communities by defending the Murray-Darling rivers 
  • Life depends on water - our rivers depend on you
​

April 2017
Kate McBride elected to Western Local Land Services Board

Tolarno Station is very pleased to announce Kate McBride has been elected to the Western Local Land Services Board.

The Local Land Services works with land managers and the community to improve primary production within healthy landscapes. The service connects people with groups, information, support and funding to improve agricultural productivity and better manage our natural resources.

April 2017
​No water set to reach Menindee Lakes, whilst local communities have no consultation on changes to management of the Lakes and Lower Darling

Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling communities have been told that all current flows from the recent floods have been allocated to irrigation extraction. This means that it is not expected that any of this water will reach Menindee Lakes. 

Meanwhile, NSW Water must have a proposal for the changes in management of Menindee Lakes by 30 June 2017. Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling communities have not had any consultation on these plans, are are unable to get information from the department, less than 3 months out.

23 March 2017
​Water reform looming for Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling

​Over the last week NSW Government have made announcements on the future of the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling.

​Check out Kevin Humphries', local MP, press release on the proposed water reform: https://www.kevinhumphries.com.au/media/media-releases/next-stage-%E2%80%93-water-reform.

​We've been busy talking about the proposal, and the current releases of water, on ABC Radio Broken Hill and ABC Radio Mildura & Swan Hill. Check out the latest interviews. ​ABC Broken Hill, Wednesday 21 March
(from 11 minute mark): http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-22/sa-country-hour-22-march-2016/8376812.

​Thanks to ABC for their support in this issue.



Stock Journal take up fight

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Thanks to Alisha Fogden from the Stock Journal for writing this fantastic article on the current situation of the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling.

​www.stockjournal.com.au/story/4533062/far-west-water-alarm-returns/?cs=4894


7 March 2017
Lower Darling River faces uncertain future

Today, in March 2017, water has been returned to the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling.

However, NSW Water are allowing significant flows out of the Menindee Lakes, and threatening the medium-term sustainability. Whilst NSW Water say there will be water in the lakes to 2019, the current flows will mean the lakes run low at the end of 2017.

In the long term, a pipeline from Wentworth to Broken Hill raises significant concerns about the future of Menindee Lakes and the Lower Darling River. There has been no commitment by Nail Blair to ensure the environment sustainability of the Menindee Lakes and Lower Darling.

21 April 2016
No response or action on dire state of the Darling River

Australia is currently facing a significant environmental disaster. The dire state of the Darling River is worsening.

This video gives an update on the current state of the river, the issues, and the response we are getting from government.

We have written letters to our local (Federal and State) members, the Hon Adrian Piccoli, the Hon Kevin Humphries, the Hon Sussan Ley; the Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water, the Hon Niall Blair; and Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resource, the Hon Barnaby Joyce. However, we have had no response other than recognition of receipt.

Please share this video.

20 March 2016
​Lower Darling River runs dry

The lower Darling River has been dry since late 2015. This is not a result of drought - the catchment of the Darling River has had an average rainfall year. This is a man-made disaster.

We ask the NSW Government to ensure all available water coming down the Darling is prioritised for the lower Darling River below Menindee Lakes. The water should be diverted through the Menindee Lakes.

We also ask that the NSW Government provide immediate grant support to land owners. Land owners have had to invest significant funding into water infrastructure, to ensure ongoing water supply for domestic and livestock use. Land owners currently have no financial support from the NSW Government.


Please share this video widely.

5 July 2015
Who owns Australia's farms?

Channel 7's Sunday Night has this evening featured the sale of Australia's farms to China.

China is on the hunt for new food sources to feed its one and a half billion people and its central government has ordered $3 trillion be spent securing food and farmland overseas.


A significant share of that fortune is already flowing to Australia — a trend likely to increase with the signing of a Free Trade agreement with China last month.

Check it out: https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/a/28634435/foreign-investors-on-hunt-for-aussie-farms/

11 August 2014
Tolarno Station farewells SSA Variety Club Bash

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The SA Variety Bash visited Tolarno and Peppora Stations on Sunday 10th August, taking a detour through some sand dunes. Whilst some of the cars found it a hard slog, all but one made it through to enjoy an evening of laughter and relaxations before heading off into the bright morning sun.

The McBride family would like the thank all the Bash members and support crews for making the evening run so smoothly and for bringing the variety spirit to the bush.



1 August 2014
Variety Club Bash to visit Tolarno

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On August 10, 2014, the South Australian Variety Club Bash will be visiting Tolarno! 

2014 celebrates the 26th anniversary of the South Australian Bash. Departing from Adelaide on Saturday 9 August and finishing nine days later on Sunday 17 August in Australia's largest city, Sydney.

The South Australian Variety Bash continues to be the leading fundraising event having raised a total of over $30 million since inception and has changed the lives of thousands of children in South Australia.

SA's most successful fundraising event raised $1.75 Million for South Australian Children in need in 2013. Over 25 years this event has raised an incredible total of over $30 million.



For more information, visit Variety SA.

We would like to thank Margaret Smith who took many of the photos displayed on the website.