about Inland Rivers Network

What is the Inland Rivers Network?

Inland Rivers Network is a coalition of environment groups and individuals concerned about the degradation of the rivers, wetlands and groundwaters of the Murray-Darling Basin. Since 1991 the Network has advocated for the conservation of biological diversity in these environments, the maintenance of essential ecosystem functions and the restoration of degraded habitats.

The story of water resources management in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin in the twentieth century has largely been one of gross over extraction, excessive flow regulation and a dismissal of environmental concerns. Whilst many rivers are still beautiful and support prosperous industries and communities, the health of the Basin’s rivers and wetlands is generally poor – and declining. The Inland Rivers Network exists to advocate for these threatened environments.

Inland Rivers Network aims to

• Restore the degraded rivers, wetlands and groundwaters of the Basin;
• Reinstate key features of natural flow patterns;
• Conserve the biological diversity of rivers, wetlands and associated ecosystems;
• Recover threatened aquatic and floodplain species; and
• Recognise and support traditional indigenous knowledge and custodianship of inland river systems.

Conservation groups represented on the Inland Rivers Network Steering Committee

• Australian Conservation Foundation
• Nature Conservation Council of NSW
• Coast and Wetland Society
• National Parks Association
• Friends of the Earth

Inland Rivers Network Staff

Amy Hankinson, Coordinator

Amy Hankinson joined IRN in September 2005. She has previously worked with IRN, and has also worked briefly as a consultant for the Institute for Sustainable Futures on water management, and for a UK council on planning and legal matters. She has a background in geography and law.

Her role as coordinator involves supporting river conservation representatives on River Management Committees, liaising with staff from water resource and environment agencies, facilitating the development of river and water policies based upon good science, liaising with irrigation and commodity group representatives, publishing the Inland Rivers Network Newsletter, and meeting with government.

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