A community group that is trying to protect a crucial section of the Murray River environment is pleading with the Albanese Government to start recognising warning signs that threaten to damage both environmental outcomes and local communities.
“All the evidence is telling us that a fresh approach to protecting our region’s future is needed, yet we have a government which so far refuses to accept the need for change. We must improve the way we all work together in the national benefit, and for this to be achieved governments have to acknowledge past mistakes and focus on solutions,” said Murray Regional Strategy Group Chairman Geoff Moar.
MRSG comprises farming, industry and community representatives from throughout the NSW Murray Valley, and has been collaborating wherever possible with governments and their agencies to improve implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Since its inception, the group has expressed concerns about legislated flow volumes, in particular limitations from system constraints that will not allow flows at the prescribed levels without significant risk of flooding and the resultant damage to public and private property.
As such, it welcomed the release this month from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority of its Constraints Implementation Relaxation Roadmap, which recognises some of the issues MRSG has been raising. These were discussed directly by MRSG and community leaders with MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville and Executive Director of River Management Jacqui Hickey during a recent workshop in Deniliquin.
“From these discussions I believe there is an increasing acceptance by the MDBA that flow volumes need to be reassessed, and there must be more consultation and collaboration with local people who have lived experience of the rivers and tributaries,” Mr Moar said.
“Some of this is reflected in the roadmap, which we welcome. But it will all be pointless unless there is an acceptance by the Albanese Government, in particular Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, that to achieve best results it is imperative we acknowledge and accept some changes.”
The MDBA recommends establishing an Independent Panel as part of the Constraints Roadmap, which Mr Moar says will be a crucial step. However, it must be truly independent and have a broad representation, not hand-picked government policy supporters.
“In the past, too many knowledgeable, elected representatives of local organisations have been ostracised and excluded from working groups and consultation because they may present an alternative view. Many have valuable lived experience and their voices must be heard.
“Previous attempts to address the difficult issue of constraints have caused unnecessary division and distress. Our community representatives are ready and prepared to move on so we can develop effective solutions, but governments and their agencies have to do likewise,” Mr Moar said.
“This includes recognising that community knowledge and experience is a key component to delivering the best environmental outcomes. Working with local communities to trial safe local flows, frequency, timing and duration targets is something we have been advocating for a long time and we look forward to genuine engagement in this space. We also welcome acknowledgement that longer timeframes are needed for such massive reforms.”
Mr Moar said it appears everyone except Minister Plibersek recognises that flow targets and the ‘just add water’ approach must be reviewed, and as a natural extension water buybacks should be paused. Despite this, in the government’s mid-year fiscal outlook, more money has been included for buybacks.
“I am not sure how we get this message across, but for our nation’s future the political point scoring that has dominated the Basin Plan from day one needs to stop. Do we have to get down on our knees and beg the Minister? Or is it just a matter of the government viewing our region as expendable to achieve city-based political outcomes?” Mr Moar asked.
“We are not a political organisation; we are simply trying to protect our environment and our communities. We are approaching the Constraints Roadmap with cautious optimism, yet with the ongoing concern that the right decisions will be sacrificed for political self-interest.”
Mr Moar added that during discussion and implementation of solutions around constraints, there has to be recognition that pre-watering of the system through planned environmental watering events does elevate major flooding risks if there is a natural rain event, and in this scenario landholders must be compensated.
“Governments must start listening, consulting and deliver the flexible Basin Plan we were promised more than a decade ago; that is the key to positive outcomes,” he said.