Member for Murray Helen Dalton has thrown her support behind the “Protect Rural and Remote Communities from Commonwealth Water Buybacks” petition lodged with the NSW Legislative Assembly.
The origin of the petition is unknown, and is attributed by Ms Dalton to a ‘constituent’ and the independent member says buybacks will harm country towns.
“Buybacks will ruin rural, remote and regional communities, the overall economy and jeopardise our food security and sovereignty,” Ms Dalton said.
“This issue will impact all Australians from the farm gate to the city. We are already seeing erosion of riverbanks due to the rivers being run to hard and fast.
“We know that the volume of water that Federal Water Minister, Tanya Plibersek, wants to recover from our farmers and flush out to sea in South Australia is impossible to deliver.
“The government must immediately engage in transparent consultation with affected communities to address concerns regarding water management.
“Safeguarding water resources is crucial for the survival of our state, and rural, remote and regional communities who maintain Australia’s food bowl.
“The petition states that those who sign are deeply concerned about the potential transfer of water resources from NSW’s rural and remote communities to the Commonwealth.
“We urge the NSW Government to ensure that no water transfers occur until a detailed and transparent report into the expected impact of any Commonwealth buybacks is conducted.”
The petition calls for a report that assesses the potential economic losses these communities may face if water resources are diverted, and evaluates the social and cultural importance of water to local communities, including Indigenous communities, in supporting livelihoods, health, and cultural practices.
It calls on the report to assess the environmental implications of water transfers on local ecosystems, and biodiversity, and engage in transparent consultation with affected communities to address concerns regarding water management.
“Safeguarding water resources is crucial for the survival of our state,” the petition states.
“We respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly call on the NSW Government to forbid any buybacks by the Commonwealth Government until a detailed and transparent report into the expected impact of any Commonwealth buybacks is completed.”
The petition requires 20,000 signatures to initiate a debate in parliament to demand a stop to the transfer of water from southern basin irrigation communities until the requested report is finalised.
A link to the petition can be found on Mrs Dalton’s Facebook page.
This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 12 June 2024.
