Murray Darling Association

What Murray Darling Association does

Murray Darling Association Inc. is a non-profit, membership-based peak representative body for local government councils across the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia. Founded in 1944 as the Murray Valley Development League and renamed to its current form in 1993, the organisation represents over 100 councils organised into 12 regions spanning New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, with a small professional staff of 12 based in Echuca, Victoria and a second office in Brisbane/Dalby opened in 2012. Its core function is to provide a unified local-government voice on Basin water policy, Basin Plan implementation, and related resource-management issues, with formal engagement channels including a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and representation on the Basin Community Committee.

The organisation's product and service offering centres on a flagship annual National Conference (now in its 82nd iteration, scheduled for Shepparton in August 2026), supported by the Basin Water Forum, the Basin Communities Leadership Program (BCLP), the Connecting Catchments and Communities (CCC) workshop series, the monthly Basin Bulletin newsletter, CEO reports, and a steady output of 40+ policy submissions and 117 media releases. Distribution is conducted through a community-led and event-driven go-to-market motion, leveraging the 12 regional chairs, quarterly regional meetings, the mda.asn.au website, and direct advocacy to state and federal departments.

Revenue is generated from three primary streams: (1) recurring annual membership subscriptions from local government entities (priced at $0.336 per head of population, capped at $7,350 + GST), non-LG entities ($385 + GST), individual members ($99 + GST), and complimentary life members; (2) one-time conference and event ticket sales, with member-discounted full packs at $980 and non-member full packs at $1,310, plus study tours and gala dinners; and (3) tiered sponsorship packages (Platinum $15,000, Gold $10,000, Silver negotiated, plus exhibition booths and gala sponsorships). The governance model is member-owned, with a Board of Regional Chairs electing the National President, Vice President, and Treasurer annually under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW).

Name

Murray Darling Association

Legal name

Murray Darling Association Inc.

Website

https://mda.asn.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Murray Darling Association is a non-profit, membership-based peak body representing over 100 local government councils across 12 regions in the Murray-Darling Basin, providing water-policy advocacy, regional representation, and an annual National Conference to support sustainable Basin management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Policy Advocacy and Local Government Representation

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Business Associations (81391)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Water policy advocacy
• Local government representation
• Basin management services
• Membership association services
• Regional advocacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Echuca

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from local government entities, non-LG entities, and individual members. Pricing based on population cap for councils.
2. Conference Revenue: Revenue from National Conference tickets including full conference packs, day passes, study tours, and gala dinners. Also includes sponsorship packages at various levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Murray Darling Association is a membership-based peak representative body for local government councils across the Murray-Darling Basin. It provides advocacy, policy representation, networking events, and information-sharing services focused on water resource management and Basin Plan implementation. Members include over 100 councils across 12 regions in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, with services delivered through annual conferences, regional meetings, the Basin Bulletin newsletter, and direct engagement with state and federal government.

Product overview

Murray Darling Association is a membership-based peak representative organization offering a unified advocacy and engagement platform rather than a traditional product portfolio. The core offering comprises the annual National Conference series (now at the 82nd edition), the Basin Water Forum, the Basin Communities Leadership Program, and the Connecting Catchments and Communities workshop series. Supporting these are the Basin Bulletin monthly newsletter, CEO Reports, and policy Submissions and Reports publications. The twelve-region structure enables grassroots representation across the Basin, with each region led by dedicated chairs facilitating regional meetings and advocacy. Together, these programs and publications provide local government and communities with information, advocacy channels, and networking opportunities to influence state and federal water policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual National Conference Annual flagship event bringing together local government leaders, government officials, scientists, and industry heads to discuss Murray-Darling Basin water management issues, policies, and future directions. Held at rotating Basin locations; 82nd edition scheduled for August 2026 in Shepparton.
• Basin Water Forum Regional forum bringing together Basin experts, water users, irrigation stakeholders, and industry heads to address water management challenges and opportunities across the Murray-Darling Basin.
• Basin Communities Leadership Program (BCLP) Leadership development program designed to build capacity among emerging community leaders across the Murray-Darling Basin, focusing on skills for water management and community advocacy.
• Connecting Catchments and Communities (CCC) Inter-regional forum program facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among councils and communities across the Murray-Darling Basin on water and environmental management topics.
• Membership Program Annual membership program for local government councils, non-LG entities, and individuals, providing voting rights at AGM, regional meeting access, and Basin-wide advocacy representation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 councils represented across the Basin
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2019MDA and MDBA extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further five years on 2nd July 2019. The MoU strengthens their relationship for ongoing collaboration on Basin management and community engagement.
• LGA SA (Local Government Association of South Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with state-based local government association representing SA councils in the Basin.
• MAV (Municipal Association of Victoria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Victorian local government association for Basin representation.
• LGA NSW (Local Government NSW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NSW local government association for Basin advocacy.
• LGAQ (Local Government Association of Queensland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Queensland local government association for Basin representation.
• Greater Shepparton City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of 82nd National Conference 2026. Strategic partner in conference organization and Basin community engagement.
• Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of National Conferences and exhibitor at MDA events.
• WaterfindminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater market specialist company sponsoring MDA conferences and events.
• CSIROminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScientific research partner presenting at conferences on water management and Aqua Watch Mission.
• One Basin CRCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative Research Centre focused on Murray-Darling Basin research and collaboration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Australian Local Government Association (ALGA): National peak body for local government in Australia, directly comparable to MDA's role as a representative advocacy body for councils, but operating at the federal level across all of Australia rather than Basin-specific.
• Local Government NSW (LGNSW): Peak body representing NSW councils and a strategic partner of MDA. Highly comparable membership-based advocacy model serving local government, but with a state-wide rather than Basin-wide focus.
• Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ): Peak body for Queensland councils and MDA's northern Basin partner. Directly comparable in mission, membership model, and advocacy focus on local government representation.
• Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA SA): South Australian equivalent of state LGAs and a core strategic partner of MDA. Highly comparable as a council-membership advocacy body operating under similar governance and funding structures.
• Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV): Statutory peak body for Victoria's 79 councils, also a core strategic partner of MDA. Directly comparable as a council-membership advocacy organization with similar revenue model and governance structure.

Others

• Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA): Commonwealth statutory authority that manages the Murray-Darling Basin's water resources and holds a formal MoU with MDA. Comparable as a major Basin-focused institution but distinct as a government regulator rather than a membership advocacy body.
• WaterAid Australia: International water-focused nonprofit with an Australian presence. Thematically comparable through its water-resources mission but operates on a global WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) agenda rather than Australian Basin governance.

Broad incumbents

• Nature Conservancy Australia: Global conservation organization with significant Murray-Darling Basin programs. Comparable as a water and environmental stewardship actor in the same geography, but operates as an international nonprofit rather than a local-government advocacy body.

Emerging players

• Australian Conservation Foundation: Australia's largest national environmental advocacy organization with overlapping water and Basin policy interests. Comparable in advocacy and policy influence but advocates from an environmental rather than local-government perspective.

Regional players

• One Basin CRC: Cooperative Research Centre focused on Murray-Darling Basin research and a strategic partner of MDA. Comparable through its Basin-specific mandate and stakeholder engagement, but operates as a research consortium rather than a membership advocacy body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/murray-darling-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Murray Darling Association