THE Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID) Water Leadership Forum has expressed deep concern and outrage following the announcement by the Federal Water Minister that the current voluntary water purchase program is the southern connected basin will increase from 170 gigalitres to 300GL.
Suzanna Sheed AM, Forum Co-Chair and former Independent Member for Shepparton District, said the decision is a devastating blow to irrigation communities and regional economies.
“It represents a complete disregard for the long-term viability of food production and the enormous investments made in irrigation infrastructure,” she said. “These buybacks create the so-called ‘Swiss cheese effect,’ leaving fragmented irrigation districts where remaining farmers bear crippling costs to keep systems running.
“It is incomprehensible that we have a Federal Government acting in a way which will significantly damage our agricultural, horticultural and dairy industries with the flow on of job losses in regional manufacturing and transport industries across northern Victoria.”
Forum Co-Chair Andrew Mann said not enough has been done to protect regional communities.
“The absence of any strategic plan is alarming,” Mr Mann said. “There is no evidence of consideration for the socio-economic impacts on our communities. Efficiency projects and other balanced measures for water recovery have been ignored.
“Meanwhile, environmental water remains locked in dams, unable to be delivered without causing further environmental harm by causing high flows and damaging riverbanks.”
The Forum warned that the Federal Government appears intent on recovering water at any cost, failing to achieve value-for-money outcomes or balance environmental needs with economic outcomes and food security.
Representatives are urging for the government to immediately halt non-strategic water buybacks and engage with communities to develop a balanced, evidence-based plan that prioritises efficiency projects over buybacks, protects regional economies and food production, and ensures existing environmental water can be delivered to achieve intended outcomes without causing further harm.
“Our communities deserve better. We call on all stakeholders, industry leaders, and concerned citizens to speak out now and demand a fair, sustainable approach to water management and to stop what has developed into an ongoing disregard for our regions by the Federal Government,” said Ms Sheed.
