Councillors back push for a stronger voice in Basin Plan future

Published on 28 July 2017

Mildura Rural City Council has backed calls by the Murray Darling Association (MDA) this week for local government to have a say in the implementation of the Basin Plan.

The decision follows a meeting in Broken Hill on Wednesday this week attended by Mildura Mayor Glenn Milne, Deputy Mayor Jason Modica and senior staff, councillors and mayors from the Wentworth, Central Darling and Broken Hill Councils.

The meeting was called in the wake of revelations on the ABC’s Four Corners program on Monday night that New South Wales Government water extraction practices in the Barwon-Darling system are undermining the future of the $13 billion Murray Darling Basin scheme.

Cr Milne said the report claimed NSW Government water extraction rules introduced in 2012 were allowing river water, including water bought by the Commonwealth, to be illegally pumped into private dams on properties in the Barwon-Darling region of northern New South Wales.

“This is water that, under the $13 billion Murray Darling Basin scheme, was intended to flow downstream,” he said.

“Instead, it’s being diverted, contrary to what was intended, which is having a devastating impact on communities and industries including Broken Hill, Central Darling, Wentworth and Mildura.”

Labelling the practice a disgrace, Cr Milne entered the matter in urgent business at last night's ordinary Council Meeting, recommending Council, which is one of 100 MDA member councils across the Murray Darling Basin, express its objection to what he described as a “betrayal” of people in south western New South Wales and north west Victoria.

He recommended that Council support the establishment of a royal commission or high level judiciary of equal status into the abuse of water sharing plans and the alleged theft of water intended for environmental use as revealed by the Four Corners Report.

Cr Milne also recommended Council call on the New South Wales government “as a matter of urgency” to reinstate the Compliance Unit which was investigating water extraction in New South Wales and to report publicly on its findings as a matter of urgency.

Councillors endorsed two other recommendations last night. 

That Council call on the New South Wales Government to place an immediate moratorium on construction of the Wentworth to Broken Hill water pipeline and demand the immediate release of the business plan behind the decision to construct the pipeline, and that Council supports a move for the MDA to be given a seat on the Basin Officials Committee.

Cr Modica said local government should have a say in the management of the water which was vital to the economic future and social well-being of communities throughout the Murray Darling Basin.

He added that the Murray Darling Basin should be managed as a complete geographical catchment – not a resource fought over by four states.

“The Basin Plan has created a lot of heartache throughout this region and these latest reports are just another hit for our communities, and in many ways validate the deep concerns held by many in our region,” Cr Modica said.

“By supporting the MDA’s renewed push for a formal role informing decisions on the implementation of the plan, we can stay informed and play a role not only in ensuring transparency, but ensuring the Murray Darling Basin is managed appropriately.”

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au