The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has joined the chorus of groups, individuals and politicians urging parliament to pass a water bill that could prevent 605 extra gigalitres of water being stripped from regional communities.
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The motion refers to set of 37 projects aimed at improving the flow of water for environmental purposes.
In turn, it means farmers and irrigators will not have to forfeit another 605 gigalitres of water. These infrastructure projects are known as SDL (Sustainable Diversion Limit) offset measures.
The Senate is slated to vote on a disallowance motion on May 8, the same day as the Federal Budget.
Additional concerns have been raised about the future of regional communities once Federal Government investment in the MIA dries up over the next few years.
MDBA Executive Director, Colin Mues released a statement along with updated analysis on 40 regional and rural communities across the MDBA. He says the method of water recovery is just as important as how much water is actually recovered.
“The Basin Plan mandates that we achieve the best possible balance of environmental, social and economic outcomes—pursuit of any one of these should not come at the unreasonable expense of another,” he said.
“The Basin Plan is designed to be flexible because it is about recovering the right amount of water, to achieve the best possible balance of environmental, social and economic outcomes. That is why the amendment currently before the Parliament is so important.”
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MIA water campaigner Paul Pierotti welcomed the move by the MDBA. He says the negative impacts on the community are something he’s witnessed firsthand.
“Griffith LGA is already down $200 million since the implementation of the Basin Plan. We’ve had this strong government investment happening, which is about to dry up,” he said.
“Along with the uncertainty and threats made by Labor and the Greens with the disallowance motion, it doesn’t look good.”
Speaking on the issue last week, Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said she was concerned Labor had not yet announced whether they plan to support the Greens.
Labor has previously backed the Greens bid stop Federal Government changes to the Northern Basin Plan, causing NSW and Victoria to threaten to withdraw.
According to MDBA data released earlier this year, many MIA communities have seen a decline in irrigation water, population and employment.
Among them were Hillston and Yanco, who have each lost more than 40 per cent of their full time jobs. Hay has bled a quarter of its irrigation water and total workforce since 2001.