Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has concerns a line in the Federal Budget hints at potential water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Ms Sheed expressed her concern about a line item in last week’s Federal Budget regarding “delivering on water commitments”, which had an unspecified amount of funding attached to it.
“I am concerned that this may mean further water buybacks for the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District,” Ms Sheed said.
“We know that the Federal Government will not have recouped the amount of water set out in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan by its 2024 deadline due to the delay in water efficiency projects.
“It is unclear if this budget item is referring to water buybacks and if so, where will these buybacks come from?”
Ms Sheed said she was “disappointed” Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek was yet to visit the Goulburn Murray district.
“All basin governments and the Federal Government agreed that there would be no more buybacks to meet water recovery targets because it was proven conclusively that they would fail an agreed socio-economic test requiring basin communities to be no worse off,” Ms Sheed said.
“This line item with no clear explanation or dollar figure attached shows a lack of transparency from the Federal Government and we should be concerned about its intentions.
Ms Sheed said the Victorian and New South Wales governments were opposed to any more buybacks, and she said almost 30 per cent of water previously available for productive use had been transferred to the environment.
“Multiple studies have revealed that buybacks are the most socio-economically damaging way to recover water,” Ms Sheed said.
“Entire basin communities and the economies that support them have already given up so much to support environmental outcomes.
“As a result of our strong advocacy for the GMID, the Victorian Government has stood strong against further water buybacks and both myself and the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Leadership Group have had a good working relationship with Victorian water ministers and will continue to work together to protect our district.”