A LOCAL Liberal MP says re-instating a water buyback policy to achieve Murray-Darling Basin Plan targets would have negative economic consequences for the Riverland.
The state government last week announced water allocations for SA River Murray irrigators would open at 100 per cent for 2022-23, with current storage levels sitting 32 per cent above the long-term average.
However, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the potential re-introduction of a buyback scheme – used to assist the recovery of environmental water – would cause “serious damage” to Riverland economies.
“(I am) extremely concerned by Labor’s dialogue around the re-introduction of buybacks to achieve the 450GL,” Mr Whetstone said.
“It has taken many years to recover from the last round of water buybacks, which had serious impacts, particular in SA and on the Chaffey region, both on irrigators and our communities.
“We saw more than 4000 hectares taken out of production in the Riverland alone, representing a substantial impact on the Riverland’s economy.
“The best way to obtain water for Murray-Darling environmental flows is by investing in both on and off-farm infrastructure efficiencies which create jobs, secure water and underpin long-term economic sustainability of regional communities.
“Despite being the most efficient irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin, South Australian river communities are set to pay the heaviest price if buybacks are reintroduced. We know when governments interfere in the water market, it drives the price up, making the family farm less viable.”
SA Minister for Water Dr Susan Close said fulfilling stipulations of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was a priority for the new Labor state government.
“The River Murray is the lifeblood of South Australia with much of our state’s wealth and environmental sustainability coming from the river,” Dr Close said.
“It’s imperative that we make the River Murray a priority for South Australia again.
“Our government is committed to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and will do everything in our power to deliver it, and to strengthen it for the future sustainability of South Australia.
“This includes fighting for the remaining 450GL of water agreed to by the commonwealth and Basin states.”
The announcement of a 100 per cent opening allocation means private carryover will be unavailable in 2022-23.
