Sharman Stone MP

 

Over 1000 people attended the first 2 basin plan meetings with a broad cross section of business people, irrigators, citizens, Local Government and Coalition State and Federal representatives. It was clear to most that the Murray Darling Basin Authority had not or could not present a well researched, logically argued case for taking nearly half the water from basin irrigators.

 

Dr Sharman Stone, Federal Member for Murray, said the people of Murray had every right to be concerned and angry at the lack of socio-economic impact assessment or even a reassurance that the amount of extra water to be put into the rivers would significantly improve the environment.

 

“MDBA representatives were unable to confirm what, if any, Victorian water saving projects were included in estimates of the volumes irrigators had to contribute.

 

 “The one thing that was emphasised over and over again was that the guide has been written with no consideration of the socio-economic impacts that taking such large amounts of water off irrigators would have.

 

“The authority admitted that their estimation of 800 jobs to be lost was a gross under estimation.

 

“A rural community could tell you this figure is absurd. Taking water away from irrigators has a follow on effect from suppliers to local businesses, right through to cost of the country’s food supply. Saying the water will only be obtained from so called “willing sellers” simply means stranded assets and higher costs for all.

 

“It is simply not good enough to say we knew our research was not sufficient,” Sharman Stone said.

 

“It is clear that the community cannot be confident that the Murray Darling Basin Authority has made the best possible plan to look at a fair share of water for all, sustainable communities and a healthy environment.”

 

“Instead we must argue for better data, better compensation for all who will be impacted and a farm and infrastructure investment to help people grow twice as much with a lot less water,” Sharman Stone said.