The Murray – Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) says new analysis of the Basin Plan’s impact on regional areas may have highlighted other reasons for the decline of some country towns.
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MDBA analysis of 40 regional communities found many of them had seen decline in their population and overall workforce.
Figures released in February painted a concerning picture. Among the statistics it was Hillston and Yanco have each lost more than 40 per cent of full-time jobs, while Coleambally bled more than one-fifth.
MDBA Chief Executive, Phillip Glyde, said the Basin Plan while the plan had an impact, it’s important to remember other factors that may have played into socioeconomic decline.
“Many communities across the Basin have been under social and economic pressure and this research shows that for some communities past water purchases have contributed to the situation,” he said.
“It’s important to remember that Basin Plan water recovery has happened at the same time as other significant changes in and around the agricultural sector—like rural population decline, improved on-farm technology and drought in some parts of the Basin.”
Coleambally Chamber of Commerce President Lynne Stuckings said all factors need to be considered when discussing regional towns – including the basin plan.
“They are a part of the decline in population and growth in regional areas. They've labelled the drought as one of the causes,” she said.
“They’re distancing themselves from that … It’s important that we still take all factors into consideration.”
Mr Glyde said impacts on communities vary across the basin.
“The overall effect of the Plan on employment levels across these communities is real but varies from very small to quite large,” he said.
“Between 2000 and 2016, the total number of people employed in the 40 communities declined by 13 per cent. Our research shows that about four per cent, or about one quarter, of that decline was due to the Basin Plan, while nine per cent, or nearly three quarters, was due to other factors.”
“The MDBA recognises that water recovery has contributed to detrimental social and economic changes in some communities, especially where water is recovered through direct purchase.”