Water

Water Ministers urged to fund water infrastructure

By Geoff Adams

Jun 28, 2024

The Goulburn River. Photo by Simon Bingham

On the eve of the national water ministers meeting, the National Irrigators’ Council is calling on state water ministers to demand accountability from the Federal Government for a more inclusive and effective approach to national and Murray-Darling Basin water issues.

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The water ministers are expected to have an online meeting today (Friday, June 28).

National Irrigators’ Council CEO Zara Lowien is concerned with the slow progress of government processes on new supply measure projects and off-farm efficiency measures.

“Slow and inadequate progress will only lead to further buybacks, negatively impacting irrigation water-dependent basin communities,” Mrs Lowien said.

“We are urging basin ministers to hold the Albanese Government accountable for its commitment to utilise all available tools in the toolbox and ensure that no community is left behind in the implementation of the basin plan.

“Despite these promises, more than six months have passed without any significant progress — we do not have a comprehensive basin plan implementation strategy, there are no new contracts, or new funding exchanges that have been made.

“Time is running out to fund and build these alternative projects that aim to reduce the volume of water to be purchased.

“In light of these concerns and those raised by the Productivity Commission, collaboration by all basin governments will be needed to embrace change to effectively explore alternatives to direct water purchases and minimise the economic repercussions on basin Communities.

“Basin ministers must also consider that the $300 million for the Sustaining Basin Communities program will not be sufficient to offset the economic impacts of lost production.”