Murray River

Rob Locke. Hume Dam is already at 76 per cent capacity and rising, with predictions it will spill. There have been calls for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to release water to reduce the possible impact of flooding. And, this all comes at a time when local irrigators have a meagre 10 per cent allocation, which Southern Riverina Irrigators chair, Chris Brooks, describes as ‘disgraceful’.

Tatiara District Council has voted to stop providing funding and councillor representation for an organisation that supports the sustainability of Keith’s water supply. Councillor Miles Hannemann made a recommendation that council cease to attend monthly MDA meetings and stop paying the $2,200 annual subscription fee. “They keep saying we’re ‘paying a fee so we might as well be at the table’,” Cr Hanneman said. “I recommend we stop paying money and let them know we’re not coming.”

The National Farmers’ Federation commends the passage of two important pieces of environmental reform this week: the Inspector-General of Water Compliance Bill and the Standards and Assurance Bill. "The Standards and Assurance Bill is the first step towards reform. The Bill will establish a framework to develop national environmental standards consistent with the Samuel review of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

Basin State Water Ministers today agreed to re-examine two major water efficiency projects under the Murray Darling Basin Plan to better future-proof their success. Basin states will publish a report examining key projects including the Menindee Lakes and Yanco Creek Offtake Regulator Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects - two of the major projects within the Plan.

Another Basin Plan Minister’s meeting, more disappointment and ongoing uncertainty for the communities of the Basin. That was the conclusion of the Murray River Group of Councils Chair, Cr Jason Modica after Ministers again failed to agree to plan for key Basin Plan projects that will deliver 605GL worth of environmental benefits.

Bureau of Meteorology, Media Release, 8 April 2021 Rainfall deficiencies have eased in Queensland, and are now confined to coastal areas of the south. ...

‘The Weekly Times’ water reporter, Peter Hunt, appears to be off the scent. Mr Hunt attempted to downplay the Darling’s historical contributions to South Australia’s allocations. The article that appeared in the March 24 edition reported that ‘a 20-year-old, one-off calculation is being used by opponents of flood plain harvesting to exaggerate the value of the Darling River’s flow to Murray River communities.’

"You are surrounded by the passionate custodians of the southern Murray Darling Basin. I deal with these ladies, gentleman, and their kids on a daily basis and when they are sad or vulnerable, I hear the stories. So, what is it that is driving some to want to sell the farm as a best counselled option after weeks of therapy as opposed to the suicide planned when the wife brings her husband in the night at the point of desperation. I’m going to talk about some of the straws that are breaking backs and what follows is extracted from many conversations I have had with troubled farmers when they see a problem with no solution, they can influence ..."