On Monday the Murray-Darling Basin Authority released a report that showed one town had lost almost one in five jobs because of the basin plan.

Griffith water spokesman Paul Pierotti wondered what the full impact of the plan had been on the Riverina since employment in northern irrigation communities had been “smashed” by the removal of water.

“Of all the water recovered through the MDBP 14 per cent has come from the northern basin and 86 per cent from the southern basin,” Mr Pierotti said.

“Imagine the impact on the southern basin if this is happening in the north!”

Basin authority chief Phillip Glyde said the effect on jobs was “highly variable” with some not affected at all.

“Towns like Brewarrina and Coonabarabran… have a low reliance on irrigated agriculture,” he said. 

“We have strong confidence that the impact of water recovery on employment in these centres is minimal. Other centres, such as Warren, have already experienced significant impacts on employment.”

Mr Pierotti said the basin plan had failed to deliver.

“There is no formula to see that there can be a triple-bottom line benefit for people, planet and profit,” he said.