Basin communities short changed: local mayors

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  CASH FLOW: A Federal Government move to spend $100 million to give basin towns an economic boost pales in comparison to the economic damage the Murray Darling Basin Plan will cause, local mayors have said. FILE IMAGE.

Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean released the Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program on Thursday soon after Water Minister Tony Burke announced the Murray Darling Basin Plan had become law.A FEDERAL Government move to spend $100 million to give basin towns an economic boost pales in comparison to the economic damage the Murray Darling Basin Plan will cause, local mayors have said.

The stimulus funding will go towards "community-driven" projects in an effort to create jobs and grow regional economies.

Balranald Shire Council Mayor Steve O'Halloran said it was critical his council sought the funding.

But he said the $100 million wouldn't come close to making up for the damage done to the regional economies across four states."We need to find out exactly what's available… we need to get the fair share of it for our shire."

"Obviously it wouldn't even touch the edges," he said.

For more of this story see Wednesday's (November 28, 2012) Guardian.