Loxton Regional Hub

The Loxton Regional Hub is located at the Loxton Research Centre, Loxton in South Australia. The Centre is a showcase for the Lower Basin region, supporting and promoting its global reputation as a leader in agriculture and producer of premium food and wine. Its shared working environment, between research and industry, facilitates the transfer of new knowledge into industry and the development of new innovative opportunities.

The Loxton Regional Hub includes the Riverland region in South Australia and the South Australian Lower Murray region. Council areas include Renmark-Paringa, Berri, Loxton-Waikerie, Mid Murray, Karoonda-East Murray, Murray Bridge, Coorong and Alexandrina, all of which have a high social, economic and environmental dependence on the Murray-Darling Basin water resources. The area incorporates one of the most agriculturally productive and ecologically diverse areas of South Australia.

The Loxton Hub provides the opportunity for local communities, business and governments to understand key vulnerabilities of the region in detail and will provide the information and knowledge to support the community to identify targeted solutions for effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change. In particular, this Hub focuses on the adaptation of communities and the agricultural sector to reduced water availability and increased temperature extremes

The region contributes around $3.91 billion to the Australian economy and agriculture is the dominant employment industry, providing jobs for the local community and supporting thriving towns and communities. The main agricultural activities include viticulture, almonds, stone fruit, citrus, vegetables (in particular potatoes) and fisheries. 

The region plays host to a crucial corridor that underpins the availability of secure and good-quality water through regional infrastructure network that supplies water to many parts of South Australia. The area is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to the dependence on irrigation and agriculture for the economy; being located at the downstream end of the Murray-Darling Basin; and its already hot, dry local climate with limited local water sources. 

More broadly it is essential for social well-being of local and surrounding communities, providing an important area for recreation, including recreational fishing and boating and providing critical cultural values for indigenous communities. Tourism also plays a valuable role in the region with visitors attracted to the wineries, distillery, produce and natural assets.

The Loxton Regional Hub works closely with all Regional Hubs, but in particular with the Mildura Regional Hub  on shared cross-border issues and solutions. This includes issues and solutions related to viticulture, almonds and citrus, industries which are important to both areas. This collaboration is be an important mechanism for overcoming cross-border barriers related to climate adaptation of communities and lead to shared learning by these communities.

Contact

To find out more about this hub or become a partner in the CRC, contact
Loxton Regional Hub Lead – Kym Walton E: kym.walton@onebasin.com.au