Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
Senior Riverland politicians have questioned the potential benefits of a multi-million dollar environmental plan to use treated wastewater – rather than Murray River water – to water public areas and “to supply some industries”.
The Federal and State Governments last month announced $20.9m in funding to build infrastructure allowing local governments to substitute Murray River water with storm water, treated wastewater or other alternative water sources.
The program will generate an estimated water saving of 1270 megalitres, providing 1149 megalitres of South Australian Murray River high security entitlements, aimed to enhance environmental outcomes for the Murray-Darling Basin.
However, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said directly supporting Riverland irrigators would be a better use of taxpayer money.
“What we’re seeing is one rule for local government, one rule for SA Water, and another rule for irrigators,” Mr Whetstone said.
“My sums work out at $18,189/ML for this infrastructure, (so) why aren’t they offering that to irrigation communities for infrastructure?
“As I understand it, about 26GL of water flows out to sea every year from our treatment plants… yet they are going to line the pockets of local government to water parks and gardens with treated water.
“I would like to see that money put into efficiencies, so we can help our farming communities.”
Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, said further details were needed on the potential outcomes of the initiative.
“It is good to see the state and federal Labor governments getting on board with the water-use efficiency measures that the Liberal Party has been calling on for the last two years,” Dr Centofanti said.
“The efficiency Measures Water Recovery Strategy was announced by the federal Liberal government under then minister for water, Keith Pitt, in March 2021, which instigated state-led programs to substitute Murray River water with treated stormwater and wastewater.
“There are clear benefits of this program reducing pressure on both irrigators and urban water users, especially in dry periods, however, the comment that this will provide ‘1149ML of South Australian Murray River High Security entitlements to enhance environmental outcomes’ is not clear if there will be a benefits to irrigators as well as environmental flows.
“Much of this work was started a long time ago, and the call for focus on water efficiency has been loud and clear from the opposition for some time.”
SA Minister for Environment Susan Close said “it is vital that our local governments are able to reduce the amount of water they draw from the Murray-Darling Basin through the use of alternative water sources”.
“This funding is a great example of the Australian and South Australian governments working together to support both local governments and South Australian residents to secure our state’s future water supplies,” Dr Close said.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said “improved and more sustainable infrastructure will deliver water savings now and will set us on a path to secure and sustainable water management in the future”.
“South Australia is home to two of our most important water resources − protecting these systems is an investment in Australia’s future,” Ms Plibersek said.
“I thank Minister Close and South Australia for working with us to deliver for their environment and their communities.
“I look forward to continuing to work with all our state and territory counterparts to ensure our water resources and our communities have a more sustainable future.”
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 8 January 2025.
