“THERE’S no way the association isn’t relevant”.
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Those are the words of Leeton Shire Council mayor and Murray-Darling Association (MDA) region nine chairman Paul Maytom, who has hit back at claims from the Griffith Business Chamber that the organisation has been “hijacked” by South Australia.
Griffith chamber president Paul Pierotti last week raised questions about the effectiveness of the MDA.
“Unfortunately that organisation seems to be unrepresentative of real basin communities,” he said. “It is obviously stacked or hijacked by councils who are not in the Murray Darling Basin, particularly metropolitan councils of Adelaide.”
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The MDA is due to hold its annual conference in Leeton over three days this week and councillor Maytom acknowledged there had been issues over the years between the different regions, but of late there was more unity.
“We certainly have robust discussion and debate on issues, but there’s no one region or state dictating or demanding,” he said.
“We must show unity and that each of the regions are doing their part in the efficient delivery of water.
“Each region wants productive water to cover everyone’s needs. Accusation is okay, as long as you can find a solution.
“The MDA is seen as that peak body on water issues. There is an open door approach.
“The issue is yes, we can point the finger at South Australia and they can point the finger at us … but unity is what we need and I think that’s what every region of the MDA is wanting to achieve.
“It is not lopsided. Everyone has a part to play to better our system for all purposes.”
The MDA conference in Leeton will host a range of speakers, including Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive officer Phillip Glyde, government ministers and agricultural industry stakeholders.
“Having the conference in Leeton allows us to show each of the regions what we are doing here … what’s working, what can be done better,” Cr Maytom said.
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