The Murray Darling Basin has sustained life and industry for years, and the new chairman of the MDBA's community committee wants to see that continue.
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Phil Duncan is tasked with ensuring all voices of the Basin's communities are heard.
"There is no plan B. The plan gives us a staged approach for recovery," Mr Duncan said.
"The challenge is to influence adaptability and flexibility in the plan."
Mr Duncan visited Griffith and the southern basin recently, however it's far from his first visit, as he's spent 20 years working around the Murray Darling.
"I worked on the native fish strategy, I've been across every river and most creeks," he said.
Mr Duncan said each stakeholder had different demands on the system, which is why he aimed to bring everyone to the table.
"We need to ensure that the broad spectrum of opinions are heard, there are loud voices and ones that struggle to be heard."
He said the current drought made it difficult to satisfy everyone's expectations but it was important to leave a quality river system that could support future generations.
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He acknowledged it would be a tough ask to bring communities including farmers, green groups and indigenous people together to make compromises to ensure the Basin's health.
"When I think it's getting really hard, I take a step back and look at it through the eyes of my children and grandchildren," Mr Duncan said.
"We want to leave the same environment that has supported the same opportunities that we had.
"Come to the table with a wondering mind, we have to support one another better, we need courageous conversations based on respect."
Mr Duncan said a 'whole of community' approach to the Basin would also need the 'whole of government' to demonstrate leadership to Basin communities.
Murrumbidgee's committee representative is Karen Hutchinson.
The committee can be contacted by email engagement@mdba.gov.au.