Mr McFarlane was in the area at the invitation of National Member, Kay Hull in an attempt to see hands-on the implications of the Federal Government’s water buyback scheme.

During his visit to Coleambally Mr McFarlane was given a history of the area as well as being shown the water saving initiatives that local irrigators have already undertaken.

John Culleton, CEO of CICL described to Mr McFarlane how CICL had implemented a number of programs which has lead to 60,000 megalitres of water being saved per annum since 2006.

Mr McFarlane told The Observer that he wanted to come to the area to see the concerns of people living in the areas that are most affected by the whole of basin plan being established by the Federal Government.

“It is the view of many people in government at the moment that the environment is the number one and only priority” said Mr McFarlane.

“I believe that, yes, the environment is a concern but it is not the only one.

“The social and economic impacts of the water buyback scheme should be a much higher priority.”

Mr McFarlane also said that as he comes from a rural area he understands first hand the effects of hard times on small communities.

John Culleton said that it was pleasing to have a politician come and visit Coleambally and see the impacts of policy on the ground.

“It is great to see a decision maker who has the ticker to come and look us in the eye and meet us on our turf,” said Mr Culleton.

“Too many decision makers continue to make and enforce policy without actually coming and seeing first

hand what life is really like on the ground.”