While governments and their agencies have millions of dollars at their disposal to promote policy and activities, groups like MRSG have to primarily rely on volunteers.
Despite the financial challenges, MRSG continues to work on building relationships with various government ministers at state and federal level, as well as government departments and agencies.
Chair Geoff Moar said the group had focused heavily on presenting solutions that could help governments deliver enough water for environmental sustainability, while at the same time protecting farmers and the communities that rely on them.
“It is a difficult task with limited funding, but a role we need to continue,” Mr Moar said.
“I believe our focus on providing solutions and being respectful to those we deal with has paid dividends and needs to be continued.”
At the annual meeting, the executive was unanimously re-elected unopposed: chair Geoff Moar, deputy chair Alan Mathers and executive officer Shelley Scoullar.
MRSG brings together peak industry, community and irrigation groups from the NSW Murray and provides a forum to discuss common concerns in water advocacy and find common policy issues on which to collaborate.
It is not a peak organisation, but rather a forum to develop a united approach to ongoing negative consequences of water policy changes.
MRSG member organisations include Ricegrowers Association of Australia, West Corurgan Private Irrigation, Murray Irrigation Ltd, Murray Valley Private Diverters, Eagle Creek Pumping Syndicate, and the Speak Up Campaign.
All member organisations were represented at the AGM.
Mr Moar thanked everyone who had contributed to MRSG over the past year, in particular former deputy chair David Crew and former Murray Irrigation chair Noel Baxter.
He said it was disappointing that there is no level playing field in water advocacy.
“We battle along with limited funds and the support of volunteers, against government, its associated organisations and heavily funded city-based environmental groups which have massive budgets.
“It’s hard to travel the country to balance the narrative and advocate for our communities, because most forums now come at a cost, which is additional to travel and accommodation expenses.
“We believe governments should provide funding for organisations such as MRSG to help achieve the best outcomes. If we include lived experiences in policy-making it can help governments avoid making costly mistakes at the taxpayer’s expense.”
Mr Moar said the lack of balance was never more evident than with the recent Basin Plan television advertising campaign, at a massive taxpayer cost to promote a political agenda.
“Millions can be spent on this questionable campaign, yet organisations such as MRSG are denied funding for the important work we do.
“There are negative impacts to the New South Wales Murray and northern Victoria from the Basin Plan, but on a positive note there are viable alternatives to recovering an additional 450 gigalitres.
“With the right approach we can drought-proof our farmers and ensure water is available to grow the food and fibre that our nation relies on so heavily.”
Mr Moar said with government support, MRSG can help deliver projects in collaboration with government and departments which are fit for purpose and have multiple benefits.
He said MRSG had identified a number of key issues and initiatives which will be further researched in the coming months.
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