THE proposed class action by Far West NSW residents against the NSW government and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has taken another step forward, with a 12-member committee formed this week.
Committee president Tom Kennedy, Broken Hill, NSW, said the group would operate under the Broken Hill & Darling River Residents Association – a title that encompassed all the regions affected by the water crisis.
“We have already had 500 people pledge support to the association already,” he said.
“So our next step is to hold a meeting next week to sign up official members.
“Membership to the association is $10 and each member gets to vote on how that money should be spent, while also having access to the benefits of an incorporated association.
“One suggestion will be to use the funds to get advice from a QC about how to proceed forward.
“Once we figure out who the class action will be against, we then plan to approach law firms that specialise in environmental class actions such as this and see if they are interested in some pro bono work.”
Mr Kennedy said the class action would look into past actions, particularly the mismanagement of the water in the Menindee Lakes, and the resulting damage of having poor quality to no water in the region since.
“We would like the government to ensure the Menindee Lakes is recommissioned back into full use,” he said.
The move comes as NSW government released a water security update last week, saying a significant moisture deficit in Darling River tributaries meant that flows were not expected to extend to Menindee Lakes – the emergency water supply for Broken Hill’s population of nearly 19,000 people.
This is despite significant rain falling across the country, including within the appropriate catchment areas for the Darling River.
At present, Broken Hill’s town water supply is being treated by a reverse osmosis plant because the surface water being pumped from the Menindee Lakes is saline and of such poor quality, while the township of Menindee is being serviced by a local bore as water from the Darling River is also too poor.
The lakes supply to Broken Hill is expected to be depleted by April 2017. The government said a final business case on possible long-term water security options for Broken Hill and surrounding communities is set to be submitted by the end of March.
