The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has appointed a new Regional Engagement Officer (REO) for South Australia. 

South Australia's new REO Kate Bartlett will cover the Murray–Darling Basin region below Lock 1, including Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.

MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville made the announcement while undertaking a listening tour of the Lower Murray region this week.

Mr McConville said the appointment of the Woods Point local will help to continue to strengthen connections, understanding and information sharing between the MDBA, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and regional Basin communities.

“Kate is a fantastic addition to the REO program. Her mother's family were involved in orchards in the Mypolonga area, and she now runs a dairy farm at Woods Point with her husband Kym. She has held numerous community roles linked with water, farming and irrigation,” Mr McConville said.

“We are excited to have Kate join our REO network and be the permanent contact for the region.”

DCCEEW Deputy Secretary Lyn O'Connell said that Ms Bartlett is well placed to build on the strong network of REO's across the Basin.

“The REO program is supporting the government by building trust and transparency in water management,” she said. 

“Kate demonstrates excellent knowledge of her local community and the water issues in her region. Kate couldn't be better placed to continue developing the solid lines of communication between DCCEEW, the MDBA and Lower Murray communities.”

Ms Bartlett says she spent her youth swimming and boating on the same riverbanks where she and her husband are now farming.

“The River Murray flows in my veins,” Ms Bartlett said.

“My great grandfather introduced citrus to the Mypolonga area, and I married a third generation Jervois dairy farmer.”

There are 7 REOs across the Basin, working with local communities.

A REO's role is hands-on and helps provide the MDBA and DCCEEW with grassroots knowledge and the capability to build partnerships.

More details on the REO scheme are accessible here.