The Federal Government must find ways to achieve Murray-Darling Basin Plan outcomes without taking more water out of the Murray region.
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That is the overarching message from local councils and Murray Irrigation after Water Minister Tanya Plibersek announced water buybacks would not be discounted in the aim to meet the plan’s goals.
It is despite stakeholder groups working for more than a decade to prove the negative impacts of the proposal, and previous agreements to meet socio-economic neutrality.
This proposed reintroduction of water buybacks - put back on the table the same time Basin Plan deadline extensions were put in place - has the potential to be the most serious economic handbrake on our region’s history in generations.
And for Murray Irrigation, it could mean a growing reliance on government support in the future.
“Murray Irrigation and our farmers are suffering the consequences of previous buybacks and water recovery programs every day,” a company spokesperson said.
“Murray Irrigation would be impacted negatively if buybacks proceed.
“The last round of buybacks created significant financial challenges to the company, which we are currently seeking to address through our business modernisation strategy.
“An additional round of buybacks will create further challenges for the company, which will require additional government support down the track by way of a structural adjustment.”
MIL said it supports changes to the program so that “non-water recovery initiatives are recognised such as complementary measures”.
“With 98 per cent of water already recovered for the Basin Plan and on average more than 70 per cent of basin water inflows going towards the environment, we strongly encourage governments to focus on achieving greater environmental outcomes with water already recovered.
“We support extensions to the timelines to complete Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects as well as the introduction of alternative SDLAM projects, as these focus on environmental outcomes and help reduce further buyback risk.
“Murray Irrigation is in the early stages of implementing one such project, the ‘Murray Reconnected Floodplains’, to demonstrate how this can be achieved.”
Murray River Council Acting Mayor Frank Crawley said council already has plans to “discuss multiple issues related to water management, including buybacks” with federal ministers in planned meetings, including with Ms Plibersek.
“No one understands the importance of a sustainable river system and environment more than the people living in it.
“The emphasis on our own stories and our communities must be heard, and we will be highlighting the real people, the real businesses, and the real communities that policy changes will likely affect in our ongoing conversations with ministers and agencies.
“The issue doesn’t lie with individual farmers looking to offload their entitlements for the right price.
“It’s about the lost productivity from that water leaving local production, which means less money in the communities and the inevitable flow-on effects this will bring.
“All of this must be considered.”
Mr Crawley and Edward River Council CEO Phil Stone said collective councils from the region are also advocating on behalf of communities through the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils.
RAMJO, which has 11 member councils, has produced its own Water Position Paper, which supported its submissions to the Productivity Commission.
“Partnership in RAMJO offers strong advocacy as it is an avenue for councils to come together with a single voice to put sensible options on the table as we look to balance environmental, social, and agricultural needs,” Mr Crawley said.
Mr Stone said one of the principal functions of RAMJO is to advocate for strategic regional priorities, with improved water security only one of them.
“RAMJO has taken a collaborative approach to advocating for equity, affordability and sustainability in Australia’s changing environment as it relates to water management in the Murray-Darling Basin,” Mr Stone said.
“The RAMJO Water Security Sub-Committee has worked together with member councils to produce a regional Water Position Paper.
“The intent of developing the position paper was to establish regional leadership, collaboration and advocacy for our communities.
“RAMJO is in the process of updating its Water Position Paper (to be endorsed at its November meeting) and member councils will be participating in any RAMJO led advocacy on the back of the updated paper, through the RAMJO Water Security Sub-Committee.”
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