The Federal Labor Government has doubled down on its policy of taking water off Basin communities at the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting today.
Instead of being willing to consider more time and flexibility Federal Labor appears determined to push ahead with reintroducing large scale water buybacks – a move that could strike a massive blow to Basin communities.
NSW Minister for Water Kevin Anderson said NSW had been working in good faith with State and Federal Ministers to bring forward sensible options to deliver on the remaining commitments in the Basin Plan.
“Basin communities have told us they wanted this certainty on delivering the Basin Plan. Today Federal Labor has rejected our proposals which would do just that,” Mr Anderson said.
“NSW has been very clear on its position for more than a year – we need more time and greater flexibility to meet the remaining water recovery targets in the Plan through new and existing infrastructure projects.
“Ahead of today’s meeting, NSW was assured all options were on the table and buybacks would be a last resort. Today Federal Labor offered no options apart from buying back water from communities.
“NSW’s position has not changed, we oppose water buybacks and need more time and funding to deliver the environmental outcomes intended under the Plan.”
At the meeting NSW proposed new pathways to for the remaining Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects which would deliver up to 93 per cent of the overall Basin Plan water recovery target by 2026. It also proposed allowing new projects that would enable equivalent environmental outcomes to be achieved without taking more water from local communities.
“Federal Labor’s refusal to work with NSW on a sensible way forward puts our SDLAM projects in jeopardy – projects that are critical to creating the capacity to deliver this water through the system.
“At a time when people are crying out for certainty, Labor has taken a stance that leaves communities completely in limbo.
“Only the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will protect regional communities and the businesses that revolve around vital water assets.”
Mr Anderson said despite the lack of willingness from Federal Labor to engage constructively, NSW will continue to look towards the future.
“We still want to stay at the table to fight for our communities and we will not be taking a backwards step.”