Water

The spectre of water buybacks, plus the absence of a targeted support package for Riverland grape growers, risk turning local communities into "economic wastelands", a local MP has warned. Liberal Barker MP Tony Pasin has labelled a $3.5 million federal funding package as "too little, too late" and accused both Labor governments of ignoring the crisis confronting inland wine regions like the Riverland.

Almost 300 people will converge in Albury next week to discuss the future of water management in the Murray–Darling Basin at the 2024 River Reflections Conference on June 19 and 20. This year’s conference features a diverse range of speakers from government, First Nations and farming communities, with a program aimed at fostering collaboration in water management across the Basin.

Secure supply of quality water is an important piece of infrastructure for any town and Cambooya, Greenmount and Nobby are set to benefit from construction of the Toowoomba to Warwick Water pipeline due for completion in 2027.

The Albanese Government's legislation change to allow additional water buybacks shocked farming communities that rely on this precious resource ... To add insult to injury, the recent $12 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign used fake computer-generated images of death and destruction in the basin, along with emotive language that only fuels misunderstanding through the misinformation campaign.

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.  

Farmers and families have rallied against Labor’s secretive plans for the Borumba Pumped Hydro project, with fears it will destroy prime agricultural land, pristine rainforest and animal habitat in the Kilkivan area. The concerned locals met with Federal Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud and Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien, warning Labor’s hydro project could have devastating consequences.

The Lockyer Valley and Somerset Regional Councils continue to work together to garner positive outcomes for not only both communities, but the state and nation too. Recently, both Councils met with members of the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative and representatives of the Queensland Government for an update on the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme (LVSWSS).

Questions about heavy tankers transporting water from the Gingin proclaimed groundwater area should be directed to the Shire of Gingin, according to the Cook Government. On Friday Moore MLA Shane Love said The Nationals WA had launched a petition highlighting the effects of water transport vehicles ...

The Lawler Labor Government says it is continuing to back the industries that get the Territory working, with a new company entering the onshore gas industry. Top End Energy is the newest explorer to enter the highly prospective McArthur Basin, parent basin of the Beetaloo Sub-basin which is worth an expected $17 billion dollars to the Territory’s economy, joining global energy players Tamboran Resources, Empire Energy and Santos.

Sitting high above the town, Wyreema’s elevated reservoir will soon be removed from its perch as it is no longer needed. The Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) reservoir, located at the Council compound on Newman Road, will be demolished beginning in July.

In July last year the construction of much-needed new water treatment plants for Ivanhoe and Wilcannia was put in doubt because of a funding shortfall. Today NSW Senator Deb O'Neill visited Wilcannia to announce $10 million in additional funding for water treatment plants at White Cliffs, Wilcannia and Ivanhoe and new potable water rearticulation scheme at White Cliffs.

Hugh Schuitemaker. 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.

Sir Angus Houston. Following the 2-day Basin Leadership Summit in Sydney on 16 to 17 April the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released a report summarising discussions of approximately 100 participants with diverse views on the environmental, cultural, economic, and social outcomes for the Basin. The Summit assembled more than 2,400 years of collective experience in Basin water management to gather diverse perspectives to inform preparations for the 2026 Basin Plan Review.

The Queensland Government has rejected the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Glencore's carbon capture and storage (CCS) project confirming the grave concerns raised by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), industry and other representatives. The EIS assessment process has found that the science behind this project is inadequate, and the risk to the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) too great, meaning the precautionary principle must apply.

The Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS) project is continuing to take shape with an Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey taking place to help streamline infrastructure design investigations for AROWS. AROWS is a sustainable approach to water security.