THE NSW Government has been encouraged to follow the lead of its Victorian counterpart and establish a group to address water policy issues.
The Victorian Government has set up a committee comprised of representatives from various government departments, as well as individuals from agriculture, local government, environment and regional development.
It is under the direction of Water Minister Harriet Shing.
The Murray Regional Strategy Group said a similar group in the NSW southern basin could also play a role in developing improved water policy.
MRSG chair Geoff Moar said the Victorian Government has identified issues with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan which need to be addressed, including unwanted water buybacks.
Premier Jacinta Allan has strongly opposed buybacks.
“There is growing frustration in rural communities at the Federal Government’s insistence on buybacks, despite their proven damage to food production and rural communities,” Mr Moar said.
“Our farmers want to continue growing food and feeding our nation, but livelihoods are unnecessarily being threatened because the government, and especially Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, appear to listen to activists rather than farming and community groups.
“People with limited practical knowledge of our river systems, and no ‘skin in the game’ are forcing their ideologies onto the government and dictating the agenda.
“A group in New South Wales, similar to the one established in Victoria but limited to the southern basin, which is the most impacted region for water buybacks, would be a positive way to provide Ms Plibersek and her government with better ways to manage our precious water resources.”
Mr Moar supported comments from Ms Shing, who said it was not too late to pursue alternatives to water buybacks, and has pointed out that Ms Plibersek has herself stated they are “just one tool in the tool kit”.
“Surely the time has come for commonsense to prevail,” Mr Moar said.
“It’s time to accept that buybacks will damage Australia’s long-term food producing future and therefore increase food prices at the supermarket.
“We need to put politics aside and start implementing the best solutions, rather than barging ahead with those that suit the political narrative.
“Let’s effectively use the environmental water at our nation’s disposal, look at how it can benefit our environment and our communities, and deliver the balanced and adaptive basin plan that was pledged more than a decade ago.”
