Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek has said she would not want to “start speculating” on how much the federal government would be spending on water buybacks following the announcement of the new Murray-Darling Basin water plan.
“We’re simply not going to start speculating even about the number of gigalitres of water we’re going to buy because to do that risks distorting the water market,” Ms. Plibersek said.
“What we'll say to you is we’re determined to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full.
“What we know for certain is just as we have had a few years that have been too wet in many parts of Australia, the next drought is around the corner.”
Under the scheme, the federal government buys water rights from irrigators using the Murray-Darling Basin for environmental reasons—an area considered to be “Australia’s Food Bowl.”
Jan Beer, a representative from the Upper Murray River Catchment Association in Victoria, previously told The Epoch Times that water buybacks will impact farmers’ ability to produce and export food.
“If they buy back that water or they take that further water out of the consumptive pool, then food production and food security will be greatly affected because the irrigators get the very last of what’s left in the consumptive bucket of water,” Ms. Beer said.
Water buybacks have been a controversial issue since the Murray Darling Basin Plan was legislated in 2012, with Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), the federal opposition, the National Farmers Federation and the National Irrigators Council against the move.
Meanwhile, federal opposition water spokeswoman Perin Davey said the extended deadlines were “cautiously welcomed” but warned the government not to immediately resort to buybacks.
New Murray-Darling Water Plan
The refusal from the minister comes after a new plan will give basin states three extra years to complete the infrastructure projects needed to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full.This comes after Ms. Plibersek was advised by the Murray Darling Basin Authority in July that the $13 billion plan would not be completed by the 2024 deadline.
“Today, I’m very pleased to announce that after many months of negotiations with the Basin states and territory, we have stuck—we have struck a historic agreement for a way forward,” Ms. Plibersek said.
“This way forward will deliver on the whole of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, including the 450 gigalitres of additional water for the environment. What we’re proposing is more time, more money, more options, and more accountability.”
Basin states will now have until 2026 to complete water infrastructure projects, while the additional 450 gigalitres of water to be recovered through “efficiency measures” will be extended to 2027.
Under the current plan, the basin states and territory agreed to take 2,750 gigalitres of water from irrigated agriculture and allow it to flow into the basin by 2024, with a further 450 gigalitres to be added in the future. So far, more than 2,100 gigalitres of water have been relocated.
Victoria Not On Board With Revised Plan
The Victorian government is the only basin state that has not signed up to the new plan due to concerns that water buybacks will have negative socio-economic impacts on the state’s agriculture sector.By not signing the deal, Ms. Plibersek warned that Victoria would not have access to new funds, including compensation to give affected communities, as well as face the prospect of higher levels of water buybacks.
“By not signing up, the Victorian government is saying they don’t support keeping Australia’s most important river system alive,” Mr. La Nauze said.
“The water recovery targets in the Basin Plan aren’t about restoring a pristine environment, but simply giving the river a bare minimum for survival.”
“This deal not only undermines the livelihoods of Victorian farmers but also threatens the long-term sustainability of our regions,” Ms. Germano said.
“We are staring down the barrel of job losses across northern Victoria in farming and food manufacturing, increased cost of production, and increased prices at the supermarket checkout.
“Victorian farmers have done all the heavy lifting in delivering the 2,100GL that has so far been recovered under the plan. This has been done to the economic and social detriment of our communities. In no world should Victoria be expected to do any more.”
Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing said nothing in the new deal changed that, and the state supported the return of water to the environment but only if it met the agreed socio-economic requirements.
New South Wales is also opposed to water buybacks but will be receiving federal funding under the deal to reduce the need for water buybacks.
