It is expected an entire week will be required to cover all the submissions for the trial, which commenced on August 11.
A judgment is expected to be announced some time in 2026.
Banton Group is representing about 28,000 class members spread across NSW and Victoria, all impacted by MDBA’s operational decisions, which caused the loss of thousands of megalitres of water between the 2017 and 2020 water years.
These decisions resulted in zero allocations for NSW Murray general security licence holders and delayed and reduced allocations for licence holders in Victoria.
Southern Riverina Irrigators chief executive Sophie Baldwin said before the court case, concerns raised about the MDBA’s river operations were ignored, dismissed or deflected.
“MDBA’s own evidence confirmed the authority did not follow its own models, rules and procedures,” she said.
Detailed evidence has shown even with the Mulwala canal available for use to bypass the choke, the MDBA preferred to go overbank.
“The MDBA have acknowledged overbank transfers are the least efficient way of sending water downstream and result in the highest system losses of around 31 to 46 per cent,” Ms Baldwin said.
During the trial, joint agronomy experts agreed the MDBA’s decisions affected water allocations, temporary water prices and institutional risk.
SRI maintains these decisions dramatically reduced production for multiple seasons, with impacts reverberating into following years.
The class action was filed in May 2019 by nine local plaintiffs and was transformed into a class action, with Doyles Farm Produce the lead litigant.
While group members are seeking damages from the MDBA and Commonwealth for their negligence, many water users are also hoping to see an end to decisions by the authority that cripple productivity and rural communities.
“The three years where the choke was flooded didn’t just impact productivity and the mental health of our farmers, it also negatively impacted the bush, resulting in environmental damage,” Ms Baldwin said.
“This is the first time the public has had an opportunity to see MDBA’s actions and operations properly scrutinised — they have always been left to mark their own homework and give themselves top marks.”
SRI is expecting a link to be made available to allow the public to view the final week online.
It can be requested via email at admin@southernriverinairrigators.com.au
