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You are here: PIRSA Home �/� Water Intensive Development �/� Regions �/�Murray & Mallee

Murray & Mallee

The River Murray catchment and its natural resources are extremely valuable to the catchment community. Approximately 81,000 people, 5.7% of the population of South Australia, live in the catchment, mostly within the riverine corridor.

The SA Murray Darling Basin supports approx 2500 irrigation businesses and includes the River Murray Watercourse and surface and underground water resources within the Mallee, Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, Marne Saunders, Peake Roby Sherlock and Lower Lakes.

The catchment provides water for urban, industrial, and agricultural development. Agriculture is the largest industry in the catchment, responsible for one-quarter of the States gross value of agricultural products. Fruit (including grapes) is the most significant agricultural commodity and most of it is grown using irrigation. In the dryland areas, agriculture is the main form of primary production, involving the cultivation of wheat and barley, and sheep grazing. Much of the manufacturing and trade in the catchment is linked to agriculture, adding value by processing the agricultural products. Recreation, tourism, and associated services also contribute significantly to the regional economy.

The River Murray is equally valuable to South Australians who live outside the catchment, not only as a recreational asset but as a major source of water supply. The water needs of approximately 95% of the States population are met, at least in part, by the River Murray. On average, 45% of Adelaide's annual water needs are met by diversions from the River; this can rise to 90% during drought.

Extensive opportunities for development and high yielding investment exist in the South Australian Riverland. Land is cheap, support services are comprehensive and efficient, the location is highly accessible, labour is plentiful, industrial relations are stable, and the natural environment offers enormous potential.

The feasibility of manufacturing, value added processing, and particularly tourism proposals, are greatly enhanced by the many advantages the region has to offer over metropolitan alternatives, and many of its provincial counterparts.

Both the Riverland Local Government Forum and Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland inc. offer their resources and the benefit of their contact networks to developers, investors and business operators seriously considering the Riverland's advantages.