Murrumbidgee: Big Water

One river tells a global story. The rivers of Australia’s interior feed the nation’s crops, its unique wetlands, landscapes, and ways of life. But many are in trouble, dying slow deaths due to the pressure humans put on them, be it agriculture, corporate greed or ineffective politics. Climate change is making rainfall unpredictable, groundwater is being overexploited. Water is now a commodity to be bought and sold on share markets. The Murrumbidgee river and its catchment, part of the Murray-Darling Basin, is a critical and hugely productive foodbowl, but it’s also home to unique wetlands and endangered species. People, though, need water; Europeans have built towns and thirsty communities in areas where water is scarce, while a new movement of Aboriginal cultural water rights is taking hold. Across the world, water resources are coming under pressure – communities, businesses and entire ecological systems coalescing, yearning and fighting for the same thing – water.

Crucially, this project looks to bridge some of the ever-wider gaps between sections of society. Our planet’s health, and feeding the people who live here, cannot sink further into the ‘us and them’ mentality. Entertaining and informing, even funny, it aims to change the way people think about rivers and water, farming, the environment, and Indigenous water rights. Critically, this film looks for solutions. Better science and tech, yes, but also an increased mindfulness of water’s finite state.

We must push for change when it comes to freshwater use; our planet, and our existence, depend on it. We must find a way to allow our rivers, wetlands and biodversity to flourish while also feeding a hungry planet.

By raising awareness and focusing on impact and education, knowing when to use elements of comedy, drama and special effects, we hope to shift the debate in Australia and internationally – on what best practice for water use in dry landscapes really looks like.

They are assisting but not directing storyline narrative and interview choices, while helping us find the right funding options and storylines.

Become champions of wetlands and riverine systems, as well as sustainable farming practices.