AS rural jobs have been in decline due to Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) plans uncertainty, according to Victoria Farmers Federation (VFF) Water Council chair, Richard Anderson, water ministers meeting in Canberra have an opportunity to make important changes to the plan that will give farmers greater confidence for the future.
“The law allows for changes to the basin plan, but Canberra refuses to consider the possibility that we know more now than we did in 2007 when the Commonwealth Water Act was created or in 2012 when the Basin Plan was adopted,” Mr Anderson said.
“The Water Act sets out a detailed process for amending the pl an to incorporate practical learnings. It is critical the basin plan be adapted now to ensure agriculture can have some certainty and look ahead.”
Mr Anderson also expressed disappointment with media comments made by the MDBA threatening further water buybacks if it believed states could not meet basin plan targets.
“Environmental outcomes need to move beyond just increasing water flows. The Basin Plan must adapt to acknowledge other environmental outcomes. Aquatic life, vegetation structure of our riverbanks are just as important as increased flows,” Mr Anderson said.
“The VFF is urging for a greater focus on the Northern Basin, that still only meter 30% of water use and a restructure of the MDBA.”
“The message is simple. Farmers need confidence and certainty to grow their businesses and create the jobs our country desperately needs. We can only gain this certainty and grow agriculture if the basin plan adapts.”
