The two-day biennial conference is being held in Moama, and brings together local councils, businesses and government agencies to discuss the future of the region.
Senator McKenzie’s keynote speech focussed on the historical flexibility of towns along the Murray River.
“Change is intuitively understood in country Victoria because of our natural affinity with the environment.
“Our farming practices have changed. Local economies are not the same as they were during the heyday of the paddle steamer.
“The river though has been the constant as a source of wealth creation.
“Irrigated agriculture has been the primary economic driver for Murray River communities and it is the key to their future.
“Today the advice from state water ministers goes to the Federal Government and the strong advocacy of the Murray River Group of Councils and RAMROC around the issue of the MDBP must continue if local community perspective is to be heard.”
Senator McKenzie also stated her opposition to water buybacks as a solution to environmental flows, and hoped the Labor Water Minister Tony Burke would heed the concern of local Victorian communities in his response to the meetings.