Farmers need wider community support to battle growing salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin, according to Charles Sturt University researcher and associate director of the Johnstone Centre, Dr Allan Curtis.

"They cannot be expected to fund major salinity works on their own properties without support from all levels of government and the wider community," Dr Curtis said.

"Apart from alleviating the effects of soil salinity on farm production, more comprehensive salinity management would also have broader community benefits, such as maintaining and improving water quality further down the Murray and Darling Rivers; protecting jobs in regional areas; and conserving native plants and animals living in remnant vegetation on farming properties."

Dr Curtis' concerns arise from the results of Australia's first detailed study of social factors affecting salinity management in a major catchment of the Murray-Darling Basin.

The survey, involving 1 640 landholders in Victoria's Goulburn-Broken catchment, showed that landholders had limited financial capacity to improve the management of natural resources on their properties.

"Even farmers who have diversified their businesses and have intensive, highly profitable enterprises such wine grapes, horticulture or cropping do not have sufficient capital over the next few years to fund salinity works," Dr Curtis said.

The uplands around the catchment are one of the most important sources of salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin. Saline water from the uplands has the potential for severe impact on the irrigated horticultural and dairying industries located downstream around Shepparton.

Dr Curtis' study also debunked a number of perceptions surrounding landholders and their views of salinity.

"Our research showed that farmers have a far greater knowledge and appreciation of salinity than was previously assumed. More specifically, they know the problem areas on their farms and generally have positive attitudes about nature conservation; working with other farmers and governments; and with taking responsibility for work to address salinity.

"What is now needed is carefully planned, direct government intervention that will target areas contributing most to salinity problems," Dr Curtis concluded.

Independent data from government sources was compared with the survey data as part of the analysis.

Dr Curtis will present the results of the study to an expert panel meeting in Benalla in northern Victoria on Friday 31 March. The panel, consisting of representatives of the Murray Darling Commission, farmers in the Goulburn-Broken catchment and the Victorian government, will consider government policy implications arising from the study.

The study was a collaborative project involving the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Charles Sturt University.