REMAINING water recovery for the environment in the Murray-Darling Basin will be the subject of discussion at an upcoming forum.
Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek has been visiting basin communities after the newly-elected government recommitted to the Basin Plan.
A recent report also highlighted the lack of progress towards recovering the final 450 gigalitres of water for the river system.
The Second Review of the Water for the Environment Special Account indicates that the Basin Plan could very well fail to deliver its promise by the 2024 deadline.
The River Peoples’ Forum in Swan Hill on September 2 will encourage a discussion on the importance of delivering this water to the river system and what could be achieved when it is delivered.
Local stone fruit grower Peta Thornton has always advocated for a strong basin plan that delivers for our rivers and region.
“Unfortunately, there are some parts of the Basin Plan that have not been committed to over the past decade of Coalition Government,” she said.
“The 450GL is one part, as well as the constraints relaxation projects. The constraints projects, had they been achieved, would have allowed the environmental water to get out onto the floodplain where it’s needed.
“Those projects would have allowed our region to get our share of environmental water.
“It’s important that we discuss these issues at a community level, to better understand them beyond the headlines.”
Jamie Pittock, a professor in water policy at the Australian National University in Canberra (and member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists), will give a presentation.
“The Victoria and NSW have failed to implement the measures that they promised in the Basin Plan reforms,” he said.
“Too little of the floodplain wetlands are being watered to sustain the forests, fish and waterbirds that the community values.
“There is a real opportunity to conserve a lot more of the river system if the state governments work with landholders to allow environmental water to spill from the river channel onto the floodplains, as was agreed in 2013 but not implemented.”
The issue of how to recover the 450GL is also up for discussion at the River Peoples’ Forum.
The former government amended legislation to rule out certain methods of water recovery.
Glyn Wittwer, an economist from the Centre of Policy Studies Victoria University, will present on economy-wide events of the past two decades that have impacted on the basin.
“Prolonged droughts, unfavourable exchange rate movements and trade sanctions at various times have contributed to hardship in the Basin,” Glyn said.
“The basin plan is often blamed for heavily impacting communities.
“It will be great to get clarity around what the big drivers are for economic prosperity in the region.”
Ms Thornton added: “Mildura, Swan Hill and Shepparton have all been recently ranked very high in terms of agricultural output nationally.”
“There are many farmers who would like to participate in on-farm efficiency projects and buybacks, which have been ruled out by previous government.”
Andrew Christian, an irrigator from the Mid Murray, has participated in efficiency projects.
“On-farm efficiency projects helped me modernise my farm and become more profitable,” he said.
Everyone is invited to this free, full-day forum at the Lower Murray Inn at Swan Hill’s Pioneer Settlement.
Visit Sustainable Living in the Mallee’s Facebook event.
Registration is essential via TRY BOOKING.
