Murray Darling Basin debate drowns out pro Basin Plan farmers.
SCRUTINY of the community impacts and potential pitfalls of the controversial Murray Darling Basin Plan has swamped the voice of some farmers who are arguing that the water reform must be delivered in full.
Support the Basin Plan, implemented on time and in full,” the petition says.
“But it is the law and it has taken such a lot of work and taxpayer money to this point, we need to make sure it achieves the goals the plan was set out with.” In Central West NSW beef producer Glenn Hall is a long time advocate for water reform.
He said there are many farmers who advocate for the Basin Plan, but the media tends to focus on the negative social impacts of reform.
Macqaurie Marshes beef producer Garry Hall says full water recovery under Basin Plan is needed for ag sector sustainability.
Mr Hall said controversy has caused some of the Basin Plan’s gains to be overlooked.
“Environmental water management has been going extremely well, it’s a bit of a hidden secret how well water is managed in the Macquarie Marshes.” The Basin Plan had his full support, right up until November 2016 when the Murray Darling Basin Authority recommended the water recovery target for the Northern Basin be reduced from 390GL to 320GL.
The Gwydir Valley has had “some very good outcomes” already, with the improved condition of wetlands and promising bird breeding.
“But we know the impacts that taking water will have and we don’t think rural communities can handle any more reform of this nature,” Mrs Lowien said.