AFTER the Greens disallowance was passed in the Senate last week, overturning the 70 gigalitre water recovery project recommendation from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, SA Murray Irrigators chairperson Caren Martin believes the project will be re-visited shortly.
The motion halted the project to cut 70GL from the Northern Basin as part of the water recovery target.
But Mrs Martin says it is a “catch 22” – there are three “chunks” of water in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to be negotiated, the 605GL upwater, 450GL downwater and the 70GL recovery target – and one is not possible without the other.
In other words, it is all three “chunks” or it is none.
“The disallowance motion pulls the three negotiations together and recognises that you need all three – not just one,” Mrs Martin said.
“We do support the disallowance motion in the absence of all the projects to be implemented.”
But SA Dairyfarmers president John Hunt is troubled by the disallowance motion and said neither NSW or Vic were bound to the MDBP.
With the SA dairyfarmers the last along the river system to utilise the water, they would be the first to wear any upstream consequences, he says.
“It is simply time for everyone playing games to stop, get back to the table, and sort this mess out,” Mr Hunt said.
“Otherwise, the losers will be the SA dairyfarmers and the Coorong itself.”
SA Water Minister Ian Hunter said his government was standing up for the Murray-Darling River system.
“There is no excuse for upstream states failing to meet their commitments under the basin plan,” he said.
“NSW and Vic have signed up to the basin plan and the Commonwealth government has written and confirmed should those states walk away from the plan, they are legally obliged to deliver a 2750GL plan.
“The health of the Murray goes across state borders and the complete basin plan must be delivered on time and in full.”
Mrs Martin said if those involved with the MDBP could agree on projects, it would restore lost faith irrigators had in the authority.
“Previous patterns have shown that once NSW and Vic get what they want, they don’t care for the rest,” she said.
Commitment is required
SA has withdrawn support for any amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan until there is a firm commitment from the Commonwealth government, and all participants, including Vic and NSW, on delivering the whole plan, says SA Water and the River Murray Minister Ian Hunter.
He said there was no excuse for upstream states failing to meet their commitments under the new basin plan.
Faith needs to be restored
DESPITE stalled negotiations, continuous reports and investigations, SA Murray Irrigators chair Caren Martin does not believe the basin plan is in jeopardy.
“There are so many legislative layers, to walk away would be a very expensive problem for any government,” she said.
“They’re better off to go with it and work forwards, rather than to fall backwards.”
Irrigators are most at risk
SA OPPOSITION environment spokesperson David Speirs has slammed the Labor and Greens parties, saying they have “sold SA down the river”.
He said their “reckless actions have put the Murray-Darling Basin Plan agreement at risk”, with SA having the most to lose.
“If the agreement falls apart, SA irrigators and our environment will be at the mercy of upstream states,” he said.