Rethink on water strategy required

It follows acknowledgement last week from a government authority that more water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin are no longer required, and it is time to focus on making best use of existing water supplies.

Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive Andrew McConville, talking at a conference on the Gold Coast, said it was time “to move beyond water recovery”.

While acknowledging that “water recovery was necessary to get to a point”, he added “we’re well beyond that point now, (so) it’s about using what we have well.”

The Murray Regional Strategy Group, which represents farming and community organisations in the NSW Murray region, has long been advocating for an end to buybacks, which have reduced Australia’s food security, increased the cost of fresh food, and come with a sacrifice of local jobs and prosperity.

Its position has been supported by local government, peak farming groups and numerous community organisations.

MRSG chair Geoff Moar welcomed Mr McConville’s unequivocal comments on buybacks and encouraged communities from across the basin to start focusing on achieving the correct balance between the environment and productivity, instead of trying to score political points.

“From a farming and local community perspective, it is imperative that we have a healthy environment. Without it, our farms don’t survive. But we also need adequate affordable water to grow food for our nation,” Mr Moar said.

“If we don’t change the trajectory, Australia will soon be a net importer of fresh food, which even a decade ago would have been incomprehensible.

“So let’s draw a line in the sand, follow Mr McConville’s position, and start all working together to achieve a healthy working basin,” Mr Moar said.

The ball, Mr Moar says, is now firmly in the court of federal Water Minister Murray Watt who has insisted on pursuing water buybacks despite their social and economic damage, and the MDBA’s advice that recovering more water will have limited environmental benefit.

“A strong and resilient Australia needs a strong and resilient government.

“On occasions, that requires a government to change direction, especially when new information or science becomes available. This is one of those times.

“We want communities across all basin states, and the ACT, to come together, accept different priorities, but agree to develop solutions that will give us environmental sustainability and national food security.

“As Mr McConville says, we have recovered enough water. As such, the madness of buybacks needs to immediately stop.

“We call on Water Minister Watt to take a leaf out of his Treasurer’s book. Jim Chalmers opposed capital gains tax and negative gearing, but then introduced them in the May budget, arguing circumstances had changed.

“In the water space, as the MDBA chief executive has pointed out, likewise in the basin, circumstances have changed.

“MRSG would welcome an announcement from Mr Watt along these lines, advising there will be no more water buybacks because the evidence now tells us they are not required.

“While that may take courage, it’s the right thing for our nation … for both the environment and the regional communities which rely on a healthy basin to feed Australians.”