The Mid Murray Local Action Planning Committee was formed in 1997, drawing its members from a broad cross section of the community. The broad aim of the Committee is to foster collaborative participation, the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences, so that the Mid Murray community will be empowered to tackle the crucial issues of environmental degradation within their district.
The vision for the association is the achievement of "a healthy and sustainable riverine environment for present and future generations".
Bounded largely by the aquatic and riparian environments of the River Murray from Blanchetown to Mannum, the Mid Murray LAP Region is characterised by majestic cliffs and floodplain wetlands, each of which are occasionally incised by agricultural holdings and communities of itinerant and permanent shack dwellers.
These characteristics together with its close proximity to Adelaide make the Mid Murray LAP Region a preferred destination for nature/river based tourism. The result is a small resident population that swells dramatically during holiday periods with an influx of visitors.
The main townships of Blanchetown, Swan Reach, Nildottie, Purnong and Mannum support various dryland and irrigated agricultural enterprises, and a thriving, buoyant tourism industry. Combined these industries make a significant contribution to both Regional and State economies.
Prior to European settlement in the 1830s, indigenous occupation of the Region is believed to have exceeded some 27,000 years, with a tribe known as the Ngaiawang replacing an earlier tribe called the Tartanga around 7,000 years ago. Unfortunately the Ngaiawang were displaced as the 'tentacles' of European settlement took hold.
Today the Mid Murray LAP's small resident population (about 4,000) can expand and contract tenfold with an influx of shack dwellers, tourists and itinerant workers.
Irrigated horticulture is the prime agricultural production activity in the Region and comprises in excess of 1600 ha of irrigated crops located mainly on the highland areas adjacent to the River valley.
Irrigation of permanent plantings started on a small scale in 1920 and grew gradually until the 1950's. Swan Reach and Greenways irrigation areas were developed during the 1950's and 1960's .
Complementing irrigated horticulture, dryland farming activities comprise a small but significant proportion of the agricultural profile within the Mid Murray LAP Region. In general, grazing occurs both on the floodplain and adjacent highland areas, the main concentration of which occurs north of Swan Reach on either side of the River valley. Sheep tend to dominate highland areas, whilst cattle generally are grazed the floodplain. Some intermittent grazing and cropping occurs south of Swan Reach.
The Mid Murray Local Action Plan is a blueprint for an ecologically and economically sustainable future. It has been developed by the Mid Murray Local Action Planning Committee in consultation with local communites, industry and government. The Plan contains strategies and actions to address key issues of environmental degradation within the Mid Murray region, and ecourages a direct investment of time, money and resources from local communities, industry, Local, State and Federal Governments. The Plan can be downloaded as a pdf file below.
Includes cover, publication details, executive summary and Chapter 1, Background
Includes Chapter 2, The Issues and Chapter 3, Strategic Direction
Includes Chapter 4, Costs and Benefits, Appendices and References
For a summary of what the LAP has achieved over the last ten years, a pamphlet can be downloaded as a pdf file see below
The Mid Murray LAP held an Annual General Meeting in November 2008 and the achievements from the previous year are oulined in the key reports which can be downloaded below.
Mid Murray LAP 2008 Annual Report
A quarterley newsletter, "Working Together" is prepared by the Mid Murray LAP to profile activities in the area. Copies can be downloaded below .
Council reserves, heritage agreements and conservation parks
Floodplain vegetation
Effect of grazing on the floodplain
Impact of salinity on the floodplain
Distribution of willows
Pest plants
Pre-European vegetation
Rare species & plant associations
Remnant Vegetation
Best practice for Wakeboarding on the River Murray
Website last updated April 15, 2009