Murray-Darling system under strain as orchard plantings increase 41%

Farmers and others in Mildura region are warning trees could be left to wither and dieA huge expansion of irrigated crops in the Mildura region of the lower Murray is threatening to overtake the water available in the river, and has set the scene for a disaster if drought conditions return.A 16-day heatwave that hit the region this summer exposed the vulnerability of the Sunraysia and western New South Wales regions. During that time, the Murray-Darling basin’s water managers scrambled to meet demand, as the region experienced a run of days over 35C between 16 and 29 January.There is no real sense of what water is truly available. Related: After 20 years of uneasy peace, the forest wars are back Related: Wombats, sharks, possums, frogs: Australia's animals at risk of extinction – interactive Continue reading...