The combined efforts of regional advocacy together with the power of a determined and passionate member of parliament have achieved positive results.
The support of independent MP Justin Field’s motion to disallow the floodplain harvesting exemption regulation is a major step in highlighting the awful job the NSW Government has done in managing our most precious resource.
Congratulations must go to dogged determination of Southern Riverina Irrigators and the team of professionals who they have surrounded themselves with to achieve the unthinkable — Labor, Greens, independents, Animal Justice, One Nation and SFF all voting in a block to defeat the National Party push to protect northern irrigators’ water take, which has been significantly impacting on southern irrigators’ long-term water security for way too long.
The fight is far from over, but this historic moment shows politicians and political parties are ready to put the past behind them and vote to protect our environment, our rivers and — most importantly — our southern irrigated food producers.
This achievement would not have been possible without the grit and persistence of our state Member for Murray Helen Dalton, who spent many days with the SRI executive team ensuring other state representatives were briefed on the potentially seriously damaging water amendment bill lodged by the NSW Water Minister earlier this year, which would have devastated our water security.
Rare yet rewarding “good water news” finally!
It is a shame our federal member of parliament did not do the same many years ago.
If she had worked with our irrigators we might not have found ourselves having to go to such lengths for a fair go.
James Sides
Deniliquin, NSW
14°C