SA irrigators hit twice

Mr Basham, Mount Compass, said farmers were expected to pay a levy on their water allocation plan, as well as being taxed on land value through their council rates and the Emergency Services Levy.

"If you exclude the River Murray itself water has always been tied to the land but over time has become a separate asset that can be traded," he said.

He said as the asset value no longer included water it should be adjusted, leading to a change to council rates.

"It's a matter of valuing land at dryland farm values rather than irrigated farming levels," he said.

"I think it's an injustice against irrigated farmers.

"The only water assets that should be included on land are bores as these can't be transported."