Tuesday, 27 April 2021
The Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC) is asking water Ministers to agree a clear pathway for achieving the full 605GL worth of environmental benefits from the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM).
With the Basin Ministerial Council meeting this week it is time Ministers from all Basin Governments agree a plan to manage the SDLAM projects that are at risk of not being completed by 2024.
Cr Jason Modica, Chair of the Murray River Group of Councils expressed the concern felt across the region: “We know that some of the key projects are not going to be finished by the legislated deadline.”
“As things stand, that means the Commonwealth will have to step in and recover that shortfall by purchasing water rights from irrigators. That’s what the legislation requires. But Minister Pitt has said no more Buy-Backs, so what is the plan?”
“We appreciate that the Commonwealth is pushing for the projects to be completed on time and is encouraging the States to work faster, but the work needing to be done is scientifically detailed and requires careful discussion with affected communities.”
“No-one wants corners cut on engaging with communities due to an arbitrary deadline put in place a decade ago” said Cr Modica, “or the science to be ignored because it takes time to get right”.
“Minister Pitt has talked about putting communities at the heart of Basin Plan delivery which is exactly the right thing to do.
“That means taking the time to consult and listen. Communities are calling for certainty.
“No-one knows what will happen if a project is withdrawn because it can’t meet community expectations, or if the science needs more detail, or if works just can’t be completed by 2024.
“This issue needs to be resolved and now is the time” said Cr Modica.
“We urge all Ministers to work constructively to find a way forward that will provide certainty to communities and enable the full 605GL worth of environmental benefits to be delivered by the SDLAM projects”
Media Inquiries: Geoff Turner, Exec Officer. Phone: 0419 030 314