MIA irrigators and water advocates have slammed a Greens plan to block a water plan that could see irrigators save up to 605 gigalitres of water.
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The Senate is slated to vote on a disallowance motion on May 8, the same day as the Federal Budget
The motion refers to set of 37 projects aimed at improving the flow of water. In turn, the measures will reduce the amount of water buybacks from irrigators by 605 gigalitres.
These infrastructure projects are known as SDL (Sustainable Diversion Limit) offset measures.
Murrami Rice Farmer Debbie Buller described the move by the Greens as “political nonsense”.
She says the proposed measures recognise the need for a practical solution to the water buyback issue.
“If we want to talk about practical options for good environmental and socioeconomic outcomes then we need to look at these adjustments as part of that package,” she said.
“The rest is political rubbish.”
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At the recent Productivity Commission meeting inquiry into the MDBA, concerns were raised about the potential socioeconomic impact on towns like Leeton or Griffith if these measures were blocked.
Chair of the Murray Darling Association and Leeton Shire Mayor Paul Maytom said at the time he has concerns about the potential impact of further recovery on regional towns.
“I have concerns around the 605 SDL adjustment. The impact it could have on the southern region is immense. If the disallowance motion should occur it does concern me,” he said.
“If the motion was disallowed, it could have an impact on the roll-out of the whole plan because governments might walk away from it.”
When the projects were announced late last year, irrigators from around Southern NSW released a statement criticising the measures and pointing to a lack of detail made available in the lead up.
Despite this, many irrigators believe the SDL measures are a step in the right direction.
“It recognises that there are more efficient ways to deliver outcomes than just splashing water around,” Ms Buller said.
It is understood the remaining water recovery from the southern basin will come from the 605 gigalitres of SDL projects and the 450 gigalitre on-farm efficiency initiatives.
MIA Water Campaigner Paul Pierotti says he would encourage the NSW Government to pull out the the plan altogether if this latest disallowance motion succeeded.
“The adjustments are written into the plan and part of the legislation,” he said.
“NSW has said they would withdraw from the plan and we demand they follow through.”
