The Federal Government must find ways to achieve Murray-Darling Basin Plan outcomes without taking more water out of the Murray region.
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 an 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.”
Berrigan Shire Mayor Matthew Hannan and Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae have both also reaffirmed their positions against buybacks.
Cr Hannan said more thought must be put into the process, instead of simply taking the “easiest route”.
“The business in our communities will be hurt by these buybacks. They were hurt last time and many left the industry.
“We cannot keep harming communities and reducing food production and wondering why food costs more.
“Council is sincerely hoping that despite the announcement, sense will prevail and the buybacks will cease. Until then we will just keep fighting for our community.“
Cr McRae echoed the sentiments saying “any amount of water removed from productive use will directly affect the prosperity of this region”.
“The food and fibre production at current levels can only be maintained if water availability remains as is,” she said.
“If that is not the case, the economic impact will be significant.
“Murray Darling Basin Authority modelling has already shown that buybacks to date in the southern basin has seen a loss of 3162 full time equivalent jobs.
“The future (of this region) would be bleak if buybacks proceed.
“The transition to change when it is not of our choice is fraught with danger.
“Our community is weary and the extensions proposed will mean two more years of uncertainty.
“Our communities have already lived with the uncertainty since 2012, and we believe that would have had a significant impact on investment that we probably don’t know the true cost of.”
Both councils said they have represented the interests of water and irrigation stakeholders as individual councils, and through the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils which has its own Water Position Paper.
The paper can be accessed at www.ramjo.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/Riverina-And-Murray-Joint-Organisation-Water-Position-Paper.pdf.