Which way will the river flow?: MDBA chair Sir Angus Houston says it’s difficult to make any definitive predictions on outcomes.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Victoria’s focus should be more on completing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and worrying less about the past, according to MDBA chair Sir Angus Houston.
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Sir Angus and his colleagues met Murray River Group of Councils representatives in Echuca on Wednesday, November 15 to discuss their concerns about socio-economic impacts of possible water buybacks.
“The fact of the matter is, we were asked by the government, will the Murray-Darling Basin Plan that you are responsible for implementing be delivered by the end of June 2024,” Sir Angus said.
“We went back to the minister, and said in simple terms, no, it can't be delivered.
“Victoria has delivered the projects... required of them. There's another state that hasn't. So I can understand, well, we've done all the right things, but I don't think we need to focus too much on that.”
Stressing the region’s perspective: Murray River Group of Councils chair and Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Rob Amos makes a point about the negative impacts of water buybacks. Photo: Murray River Group of Councils
Sir Angus said his job was to implement the plan as it currently stands and that none of the legislation currently before parliament was in its finalised form yet.
“The reality is, as we explained to (the community), this is proposed legislation,” he said.
“It's been through the lower house. The Senate committee had a good look at the bill. They've made a number of recommendations, but that's not the end of it.
“I’m not prepared to make any predictions. I actually don’t know how it will fall out. Nobody does until the Senate makes their decision and has their vote on the legislation.”
MRGC remains concerned about the proposed legislation, arguing buybacks have caused a raft of negative impacts, lost productivity and job losses.
Think tank: Representatives from the Murray River Group of Councils discuss their concerns with Murray-Darling Basin Authority Chair Sir Angus Houston and other MDBA representatives. Photo: Murray River Group of Councils
MRGC chair Rob Amos urged the Murray Darling Basin Authority to keep the social and economic wellbeing of northern Victorian communities at its heart when advising the Australian Government.
“If the upcoming Water Amendment Bill is passed into legislation it would be a short-sighted and lopsided policy decision by the Australian Government,” Cr Amos said.
“The bill’s proposal to reintroduce water buybacks from irrigation farmers may give short-term environmental gain to the government but will result in long-term socio-economic pain for our farmers, industries and communities.”
In thanking the basin authority contingent for their visit, Cr Amos encouraged them to continue to consult with people at a grassroots level and take advantage of local councils who were in a unique position to facilitate the community consultation process.
This is something that Sir Angus is keen to do and said that future visits would be important.
“I think what will be important is when the legislation is finalised, I think we need to come back and have another meeting like we had today to talk about what’s next,” he said.
“We’re very happy to collaborate with them once we understand the direction of the legislation and that direction will come from the Australian Government and the other jurisdictions.
“We understand their perspective and concerns. Their concerns were about the buybacks and the effect on the communities that they’re accountable for as councillors and as mayors.”
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