Federal Water Minister Murray Watt was in Echuca on Thursday, April, 16, discussing water with representatives from various groups.
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Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has faced irrigation farmers worried about the impact of Commonwealth water buybacks on a visit to northern Victoria.
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Mr Watt attended a forum organised by local government in Echuca and visited a dairy farm south of the town on Thursday, April 16.
In an interview after the meeting, Mr Watt acknowledged broad opposition about the effect of untargeted water buybacks and their potential impact on food production.
He said the Federal Government was mindful of getting the balance right in the transfer of water to the environment, but he said different parties had differing perspectives on how the balance should sit.
Local councillors and irrigators have also told Mr Watt they wanted to see more emphasis in the Murray-Darling Basin on more effective use of environmental water, rather than just pushing more volume down the streams.
“I understand that it is a view strongly held in this region, and also a desire that if there were any further buybacks that they would be done in a targeted way that tries to spread the load across different regions.”
Mr Watt said he met with a dairy farmer and was impressed by the way the business was focused on efficient use of water in light of reduced water availability and the impact of climate change.
He acknowledged that the region was a major food bowl for the nation and across the world.
“What we want to do as a government is come up with a balanced approach that balances the range of interests in the Murray-Darling Basin, the industries, the communities and the environment.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt attended a forum in Echuca with representatives from agriculture peak bodies and local government representatives, including Campaspe Shire Council, Murray River Group of Councils and Rural Councils Victoria.
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“It is my intention to see through the current basin plan including the water recovery targets... they are legislated by law so I am legally obliged to see them through.
“However we are also in the middle of consultation for the new basin plan and a range of other views and I have been clear about the new plan; it doesn’t need to be a carbon copy of the existing plan... There was a lot of discussion about that.”
“What came through was that people wanted to make sure we make better use of the water we have recovered for the environment and there were a few views put forward about that.”
“That’s something I’ve heard in a number of parts of the country.”
The former agriculture minister acknowledged the importance of agriculture to the region and the nation.
“It’s a backbone industry for many communities across the basin.”
Northern Victorian water stakeholders have criticised the paucity of references to food production in the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s recently released discussion paper. Mr Watt said had heard about the criticism.
VFF Water Council chairman Andrew Leahy attended the forum and noted the VFF was the only Victorian agricultural industry group.
He said there was widespread agreement that buybacks must stop given the damage to agriculture and rural communities.
“Unfortunately, the minister is still committed to buying back more water for the 450Gl,” Mr Leahy said.
“The VFF highlighted the MDBA’s analysis that shows there is very little environmental improvement if more water is purchased, in fact there is no improvement to the environment on any Victorian system.”
“The VFF flagged with the MDBA earlier in the week that they should release draft recommendations for public comment prior to finalising the basin plan evaluation at the end of the year. The minister seemed open to exploring this suggestion.”
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