Murray-Darling Basin Authority chair Sir Angus Houston visits Albury

Murray-Darling Basin Authority chair Sir Angus Houston was in Albury on Friday as part of the first of many basin visits in his new role.

And for the former Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshal, listening and learning the challenges irrigators, farmers and stakeholders face in the Riverina was the main reason for the week-long tour.

"I've been looking, talking and learning and I have been getting a much better understanding of the challenges that are out here for not just the Riverina but right across the basin," Sir Angus said in a sit down with The Border Mail.

"My focus has been to get to know people and form constructive, trustworthy relationships with them."

The southern basin tour started off in Leeton on Monday and included visits with irrigators and stakeholders in Griffith, Deniliquin and Finley before Mr Houston arrived in Albury on Friday.

"One of the things that challenges people, is after three years of drought, it looks like a good season this season, but they are looking for certainly into the future.

"When we met with the growers association in Finley, one of the family farmers said if you had come here a generation ago there were five families on this land and five supported but there has been this reduction in people on the land."

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While Sir Angus admits not everyone has always been supportive of the MDBA or the basin plan, he said they also met with those who have been vocal about water reform.

"Every person I have spoken to I want to hear their views, I haven't come with any preconceived notions about this is right or this is wrong," he said.

"People have been very prepared to say exactly what they think which is invaluable.

"We met with Speak Up chair Shelley Scoullar as well as deputy chair Lachlan Marshall on his Blight dairy farm.

"I was blown away by their operation up there, he is very forthright about the challenges that they face."

Sir Angus also spent time with Southern Riverina Irrigators chair Chris Brooks during his visit.

As part of the visit Murray Irrigation said they are committed to working with Sir Angus to find a "healthy balance of water distribution".

Chief executive Philip Endley said the visit was about showcasing the region and discussing local concerns.

"We know there's a lot of frustrated farmers out there and it's important to explain why this is the case," he said.

"Especially the unintended third-party impacts of water reform and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in its current form."

Chair Phil Snowden said there were opportunities to improve system efficiencies.

"These improvements can contribute to positive environmental outcomes and reduce the threat of future buybacks, for only a fraction of the water when compared to flooding," he said.