ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)



Teacher Resource

Murray-Darling Plan

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1. Discuss the BTN Basin Plan Problems story in pairs. What points were raised in the discussion?

2. Why have the Murray and Darling rivers struggled to survive over the past decade?

3. Why did farmers need water from the Murray-Darling Basin?

4. Finish the following sentence: The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s most important agricultural region because…

5. Why was the Murray-Darling plan created?

6. All state involved in the plan had to agree to it. True or false?

7. What were the important parts to the plan?

8. What did a recent Four Corners investigation find?

9. Why were people living downstream angry?

10. What do you understand more clearly after watching this story?

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Murray-Darling

Before watching the BTN Murray Darling story...

• What do you already know about the Murray River?

• Do you have a connection to a river or significant body of water in your area?

• Who do you think relies on the Murray River? Brainstorm and record your thoughts as a class.

After watching the BTN Murray Darling story...

• Brainstorm a list of words and terms that relate to the BTN Murray Darling story. Use these words and terms to make your own sentences about the issue. Here are some to get you started.

o Agreement

o Murray Darling Basin plan

o Livelihood

o Connection

o Drought

o Crops and livestock

o Wetlands

o Agricultural

o Food supply

Discuss with students what they learnt about the Murray River having watched the BTN Murray Darling story.

• Who depends on the Murray River?

• What is the job of the Murray Darling Basin Authority? Why is it important to have a plan to look after the Murray River?

• Why do you think BTN covered this issue?

Write a personal response to the BTN Murray Darling story. Leave a comment on the BTN Murray Darling story page. Ask students to finish one or more of the following incomplete sentences:

• This story made me feel….

• This story made me wonder…

• The Murray River is special because...

• The Murray River is in danger because...

• We can protect our rivers by...

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Research Questions

• Where is the Murray–Darling Basin?

• How big is the Basin?

• What are the key features of its landscape?

• Why is water so important?

• What are the major towns and cities within the Murray-Darling Basin?

• Why is it important to Australia and Australians?

• What is my responsibility for its protection and preservation for the future?

• Many people depend on the Murray-Darling Basin for their livelihoods. What is meant by this statement?

• Why is it referred to as a ‘basin’?

Further challenge

• Can you think of any strategies to help with water scarcity?

• Why is it such a complex problem? Think about the environmental, social, political, economic and cultural reasons.

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How do we use the Murray River?

BTN River Kids is a documentary that looks at life along Australia's largest river system, the Murray River. It's narrated by Tyrone, a young Ngarrindjeri boy, who introduces us to people who depend on it. The documentary highlights the importance of Australians working together to look after the Murray and how the river supports people, wildlife and the economy.

Watch BTN’s River Kids documentary to meet some of the kids that live along the Murray River and find out how they depend on it for different reasons.

Teachers can download the supporting teacher resource for topics of inquiry and other activities.

BTN River Kids video

BTN River Kids teacher resource

Students will choose one or more of the inquiry questions (listed in the teacher resource) to investigate and present their findings in an interesting way.

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Water sharing game

The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has designed a water sharing game, a powerful illustration of the diverse uses and needs for water throughout the Murray–Darling Basin. The aim of the game is to get water to the end of the river system.

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions

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BTN – River Kids



ABC News – What is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and why are we still talking about it?



ABC News – Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Taxpayer-purchased water intended for rivers harvested by irrigators



ABC News – Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?



Murray-Darling Basin Authority – Basin Plan



Murray-Darling Basin Authority – Kids Page



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Episode 20

1st August 2017

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Students will investigate how the Murray River supports people, wildlife and the economy. Students will develop an understanding of the connection different people have to the Murray River.

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Science – Year 5

Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)

Science – Year 6

The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094) Year 6

Geography – Year 5

The influence of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places (ACHASSK112)

The environmental and human influences on the location and characteristics of a place and the management of spaces within them (ACHASSK113)

Geography – Year 7

The way that flows of water connects places as it moves through the environment and the way this affects places (ACHGK038) 

The quantity and variability of Australia’s water resources compared with other continents (ACHGK039)

Economic, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic value of water for people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and peoples of the Asia region (ACHGK041)

The Murray Darling Basin. Source: ABC News

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