WATER is the main issue Balranald constituents are sharing their concerns on with Member for Murray Helen Dalton.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP met with residents and business owners in Balranald last Wednesday.
The MP also discussed with Balranald Shire Council the results of the public inquiry into the council, Balranald’s water treatment plant, council’s finances and the Balranald Caravan Park.
The public inquiry is being conducted by the New South Wales Government’s Office of Local Government.
“People are concerned the Murray River will run dry like the Darling (River), unless we get some weirs and locks in,” Ms Dalton told The Guardian.
“So talking about weirs and locks (along the Murray River) and how these weirs and locks will help prevent us from running out of water.
“There are issues with the water treatment plant here.”
Earlier this year, then-Member for Murray Austin Evans told The Guardian Balranald Shire Council considered upgrading the plant, which could cost up to $2.5 million.
Ms Dalton said it was “absolutely critical” that the water treatment plant be replaced, with the existing reservoirs and the tanks being outdated.
“On a whole, water management and water quality and the availability of it too,” she said.
Ms Dalton also discussed the blue-green algae blooms in the Murrumbidgee River and its possible link to motor neurone disease (MND) and the water filtration system.
“By the time it gets here too, we’ve got the dregs and I’m concerned about the quality of the water with people’s health,” Ms Dalton said.
“It’s a big issue really.”
Ms Dalton said when she was elected six months ago, MPs were required to submit their pecuniary interests, but were not obligated to disclose water ownership.
“You had to disclose your land and your shares, who you’ve worked for, and then they had an option for a disclosure box at the bottom of the form,” Ms Dalton said.
“I didn’t know whether I should disclose my water at all, I did a lot of the talking, because land and water are different and treated differently.
“I went to see the clerk and I want to make that change in parliament.”
Ms Dalton said last month she pushed for a motion for water interests to be included, with a bill “hopefully” going through in February.
“So we’ve got a lot on the go really,” she said.
For the next six months, the MP said she hoped to put water more on the agenda with the state government.
“Putting the perspective of the Murray electorate to them,” she said.
“I’m here to try and get some common-sense into it, get back into the issue. I’ve written a lot of letters to Melinda Pavey about water.
“I’ve given a 10-point solution plan which she said was good.”
Ms Dalton said another concern put forward to her was the results of the public inquiry into Balranald Shire Council.
The MP said she would write to the Minister for Local Government to find out when the outcome would be released.
Health, education and cross-border issues were also on the agenda.
Ms Dalton also visited Hay, Wentworth, Deniliquin and Tocumwal.
