The National Irrigators’ Council said after three decades of reform focused on reducing diversions to rebalance towards the environment, it was clear that priorities were now shifting to a broader range of issues that could not be addressed by just adding water.
National Irrigators’ Council chief executive Zara Lowien said there may always be a divide over just how much water was used in the Murray-Darling Basin, but what was interesting about this report was just how much stakeholders agreed on, particularly on the need to move forward.
“The report shows broad agreement on the need to maximise environmental outcomes from the water already available, better integrate land and water management, improve water quality and critical human needs, address native fish decline and improve governance and transparency,” she said.
“These are some substantial and important areas, where the government could prioritise investment and deliver important and meaningful outcomes alongside all stakeholders.
“Where there are diverging views, it shows there is more work to be done, and likely no simple solution right now.
“We are pleased to see the MDBA (Murray-Darling Basin Authority) captured concerns that irrigated agriculture was overlooked as a ‘missing chapter’ on how communities and industries have been impacted by the basin plan.
“With 72 per cent of inflows now remaining in rivers for the environment, the balance has been struck, and this report contains a lot of important issues which can’t be addressed by ‘just adding water’.”
