“South Australia has been getting on with the job and is ready to move from scoping projects into delivering them,” Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt said.
“The $19.69 million we’re fast tracking will allow construction to start on a range of new river crossings, raising up to 5.3km of roads and tracks as well as improving connectivity with up to 3400 hectares of floodplains.
“The work will also provide community amenities like boat ramps, toilets and barbecues as well as stabilising up to 1.6km of riverbank.”
South Australian Environment and Water Minister David Speirs said South Australians knew that to keep floodplains healthy they needed a drink now and again.
“We’re looking to deliver a quadruple bottom line program — delivering social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits through these works,” Mr Speirs said.
“This early works program is a down payment on a larger package of measures we will be working with the Commonwealth to deliver ahead of June 2024 on South Australia’s constraints project.”
Workshopping water issues
The Murray Regional Strategy Group held the third in a series of workshops on February 22 to discuss issues around water policy and management.
The group comprises representatives of organisations including Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Southern Riverina Irrigators, Murray Irrigation, Ricegrowers Association of Australia, West Corurgan Private Irrigation District, Speak Up Campaign, Eagle Creek Pumping Syndicate and Murray Valley Private Diverters.
Attending the workshop were representatives from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Environment, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, as well as NSW agriculture commissioner Daryl Quinlivan.
MRSG executive officer Meagan Marshall said the workshops provided an opportunity for details on water policy issues to be discussed in a positive manner, while at the same time building relationships between MRSG members and those charged with implementing water policy decisions.
“There has been a lot of frustration in our farming communities over more than a decade, with many feeling they have been let down by a basin plan,” Mrs Marshall said.
“But we cannot wind back the clock; we have to move forward with the basin plan, and changing water policy in general.
“We are doing our best to work in harmony with those who implement government policy, so they understand our unique local issues and are in a better position to address them.”
Five-year priorities identified
Murray Irrigation says one of its main priorities is recruiting a new chief executive officer.
A new CEO, the company’s Regional Recovery Prospectus and a number of other matters were discussed at the Murray Irrigation board meeting and strategic planning day held across two days in Deniliquin last month.
The board meeting included a presentation from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, with an update on the Barmah Choke Feasibility Study, which received $3 million of Federal Government funding last August.
“The issues around the Barmah Choke and its limited capacity are presenting challenges for the MDBA, but it is also presenting opportunities for our region,” chair Steve Fawns said.
There were also discussions with the MDBA about Murray Irrigation’s Murray Reconnected Floodplains project, which needs $204 million funding and Murray Irrigation wants recognised as a Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism project.
Senator Perin Davey and Federal Member for Farrer and Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley joined the board for dinner, which Mr Fawns said was significant as it was the first time Ms Ley had met with the full Murray Irrigation board.
Mr Fawns said the strategic planning day focused on developing the company’s business strategy for the next five years.
“A priority is also the recruitment of a new chief executive officer to drive the next phase for Murray Irrigation, which will include a focus on shareholder engagement and doing everything in our power to deliver maximum volumes of water so our farmers can do what they do best — grow food and fibre by utilising the best gravity-fed irrigation system in the world,” he said.
