TAG
water buybacks
A Basin con
Who would have thought that politics would breed dishonesty and half-truths? The latest push by Federal Labor water minister, Tanya Plibersek, is a perfect example ... Plibersek’s Bill passed the Lower House last week, with a potential vote in the Senate on November 9 ... no appetite to wait for the outcome of the Productivity Commission’s Interim Report due in December, shock horror.
Leeton Council says no to Murray-Darling Water Amendment Bill 2023
Leeton Shire Mayor Tony Reneker said the Federal Government’s Bill to rewrite the 2012 Murray-Darling Basin Plan endangers the future of businesses and communities in the Murrumbidgee Valley ... Leeton Shire Council, along with Murray Darling Association Region 9 members and key commodity groups in the MIA (such as citrus and rice), urge Murray Darling Association (MDA) members to oppose expanded buybacks and removal of socio-economic protections.
When next drought hits … farmers left high and dry
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says claims by Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek that Basin farmers are thriving under a decade of water buybacks is untrue, and the reality is farmers are fearing the next big dry ... “The truth is her own Department website produces a summary table of all recoveries and it clearly states 12.2GL has been recovered with a further 13.8GL under contract. That's a total of 26GL towards the 450GL, not the 2GL she keeps suggesting”: VFF Water Council chairperson Andrew Leahy.
MDBA seeks blood letting
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has put its full support behind a proposed legislative change to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan ... The Authority has been the arbiter of truth, with them holding the reins on running the rivers (to the SA border), implementing the plan, reviewing their own work, setting the terms of reference for independent reviews of their own work, managing community concerns and even running defence for the lower lakes.
Farmers call out misinformation on Basin Bill: NFF
Farming groups have come together in Canberra to call out the misinformation peddled in Parliament this week regarding the Government’s rewrite of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. National Farmers’ Federation Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the fact the Government felt the need to stretch the truth just revealed how flawed the proposal is.
Real cost of water buybacks revealed: NSW Farmers
The Federal Government’s plans to increase water buybacks will have a devastating impact on food production, NSW Farmers warns … “The Minister is talking about removing 450,000ML of water from production, that’s the equivalent of 9.8 billion serves of rice!": Water Taskforce chair Richard Bootle ... “When you simply toss out all previous Basin-wide agreements, our communities will have no choice but to fight back.”
New water legislation will have detrimental effects on Greater Shepparton: Greater Shepparton City Council
A water bill proposed by the Federal Government, which could see buybacks take 450GL of water from local irrigators, will have detrimental effects on the Greater Shepparton region and its horticulture industry … Known for being the food bowl of Australia, Cr Sali said Greater Shepparton would feel the brunt of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023...
Victorian farmers slam Basin changes: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the legislative changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan introduced by the Albanese Government in Federal Parliament … “This move tears up the agreement made by Basin states over 10 years ago and is trying to re-write history on what the Basin Plan actually is”: VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy.
Water Bill a recipe for hurt, division and higher food prices: NFF
Farmers are warning that a bill introduced today by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek would obliterate consensus on the Basin Plan and give the Government unchecked power to shut down irrigation farms in Australia’s food bowl. NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the proposal would blow up the Basin Plan and destroy trust and livelihoods in Basin communities.
Environment groups welcome progress on Murray-Darling Basin Plan, but guarantees needed to ensure real water reaches rivers: NCC
In response to a new bill allowing water purchases being introduced to federal parliament, environment groups from across four states have welcomed progress on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, but warn that delays will be costly to the health of our rivers … “While it’s great to see the Basin Plan moving again, it’s important to remember how far behind the Plan is...": Nature Conservation Council of NSW Water Campaigner Mel Gray.
