Water and the Murray-Darling Basin

Water and the Murray-Darling Basin - a Statistical Profile (cat. no. 4610.0.55.007) will bring together a range of water, social, environmental and economic statistics relating to the Murray-Darling Basin.

Due for release in July, this publication will include information on climate, water availability, water consumption, agricultural production, gross value of irrigated agricultural production, demographics and natural resource management.

The Basin region produces a high proportion of Australia's agricultural production and uses approximately 70% of the water applied to agriculture in Australia.

About two million Australians live in the Basin and are mainly employed in retail, health and agriculture. The region is environmentally significant in terms of internationally recognised wetlands, red gum forests, and the river ecosystem itself.

The publication will cover the time period from 2000–01 to 2005–06 and in some cases will present data for smaller areas within the Basin. Maps will feature extensively throughout the publication.

For further information on water contact Bernard Morrison on (02) 6252 5321 or email: bernard.morrison@abs.gov.au