No More Buyback
The Murray Group of Concerned Communities (MGCC) is calling on the Government to put a cap on buyback and focus water recovery in the Murray-Darling Basin on efficiency and infrastructure measures.
“The NSW
Government is calling for a cap on buyback. The Coalition has committed to implementing a cap on buyback if they win Government. We want to see the same commitment from the current Government,” MGCC Chairman, Bruce Simpson said today.
The NSW Water Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson this week confirmed the State Government would legislate their own cap on Commonwealth water purchase if there was not strong enough protection for regional communities in the Basin Plan intergovernmental agreement due to be taken to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) next month.
At the same time, Shadow Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, speaking to Parliament on the amendment to the Water Act 2007 (Water for the Environment Special Account), confirmed that the Coalition will move an amendment to the Bill to cap buyback and, if unsuccessful, would commit to implementing the cap if they win Government.
“What we want to see is the Government support the amendments being proposed by the Coalition which will ensure an end to the most damaging form of water recovery for regional communities,” Mr Simpson said.
“To her credit, our local Member, Sussan Ley, fought hard to get the Coalition to understand the need for a cap on buyback and understand the damage that has already occurred through non-strategic water recovery.
“We know she has also endeavoured to highlight the issue with the Government, as have we and groups like ours throughout the Basin.
“If the Government is serious about minimising the harm to Basin communities, they need to end buyback and look to fund the strategic projects including infrastructure projects that have been put to them by the NSW Government.
“In the last week we have had announcements of funds for infrastructure works in South Australia’s Riverland, in Victoria’s Sunraysia region, but NSW projects have been conspicuously absent.
“Federal Water Minister Tony Burke and his department must ensure that the projects NSW has proposed, which will significantly reduce the pressure of water recovery on irrigation communities, are made a priority,” Mr Simpson said.
ENDS: For further information contact Bruce Simpson on 0429 681 317
The NSW Water Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson this week confirmed the State Government would legislate their own cap on Commonwealth water purchase if there was not strong enough protection for regional communities in the Basin Plan intergovernmental agreement due to be taken to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) next month.
At the same time, Shadow Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, speaking to Parliament on the amendment to the Water Act 2007 (Water for the Environment Special Account), confirmed that the Coalition will move an amendment to the Bill to cap buyback and, if unsuccessful, would commit to implementing the cap if they win Government.
“What we want to see is the Government support the amendments being proposed by the Coalition which will ensure an end to the most damaging form of water recovery for regional communities,” Mr Simpson said.
“To her credit, our local Member, Sussan Ley, fought hard to get the Coalition to understand the need for a cap on buyback and understand the damage that has already occurred through non-strategic water recovery.
“We know she has also endeavoured to highlight the issue with the Government, as have we and groups like ours throughout the Basin.
“If the Government is serious about minimising the harm to Basin communities, they need to end buyback and look to fund the strategic projects including infrastructure projects that have been put to them by the NSW Government.
“In the last week we have had announcements of funds for infrastructure works in South Australia’s Riverland, in Victoria’s Sunraysia region, but NSW projects have been conspicuously absent.
“Federal Water Minister Tony Burke and his department must ensure that the projects NSW has proposed, which will significantly reduce the pressure of water recovery on irrigation communities, are made a priority,” Mr Simpson said.
ENDS: For further information contact Bruce Simpson on 0429 681 317
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