THE Gillard government yesterday announced a further 450 gigalitres would be returned to the ailing Murray-Darling basin in a move which has drawn fierce criticism from Riverina irrigators and politicians.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday said the extra water would largely come from “on-farm efficiencies” and infrastructure, and pledged $1.7 billion in new funding to see that happen.The additional water takes the total allocation for the basin to 3200 gigalitres under the draft basin plan.
“Put simply, it means more water, and more water means better environmental outcomes,” Ms Gillard said.
“It means that the river, the basin, will be more resilient for the future.”
Most of the 2750 gigalitres previously identified will come from buybacks of irrigators’ water rights.
Murrumbidgee irrigators say this will destroy their communities and hurt the food bowl of Australia.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack yesterday condemned the government’s reliance on buybacks and its reluctance to invest more in water-saving infrastructure.
“$4.6 billion is allocated towards the basin and only 15 per cent has been spent,” he said.
Mr McCormack has long rejected even 2750 gigalitres in a stance which may sit at odds with the Coalition’s final position.“You can’t trust them, you simply can’t trust them.”
South Australia has welcomed the extra water but NSW and Victoria have labelled the move “disappointing” in the light of tense negotiations between the states and federal Water Minister Tony Burke.
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