Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
Ensuring water buybacks can be made from Riverland communities while the “local economy stays strong” is the aim for a senior South Australian politician.
Deputy premier, and Minister for Environment, Susan Close said – during a recent visit to Calperum Station – methods to ensure water buybacks that had minimal negative impacts on regional communities were being discussed.
“As a state government, we’re still working – mainly through Primary Industries – with the region,” Dr Close said.
“Given water buybacks are going to happen, how do we suggest to the Commonwealth that they design it in a way that does the greatest good for community, at the same time as looking after the environment.
“We’re still going through that process, but I would like for us as much as possible a ‘team South Australia’ approach to the Commonwealth Government, recognising I support buybacks because I want to see environmental water, and that doesn’t seem to be coming in many other ways.
“There are some other elements, but they’re not enough to deliver the water. Let’s do it in the best possible way so the community and the local economy stays strong at the same time.”
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 5 June 2024.
