ARE RURAL LAND PRACTICES IN THE MURRAY-DARLING BASIN A THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Over the last 150 years Australia has gained great economic rewards fr om the use of the natural resources of the Murray-Darling Basin. Howev er, many of the methods used to gain those benefits are now seen as un sustainable. To maintain the region's productivity in the future, a di fferent approach to managing its natural resources is needed. This pap er explains the economic and environmental importance of the Basin, de scribes the degradation that has occurred, and summarises the efforts being made to achieve sustainable management of the region.