Plan for avoiding buybacks

In releasing the plan, the NSW Labor Government said it remains committed to delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan “in full in partnership with the Commonwealth and other Basin States, to support thriving ecosystems and economies”.

But it is also highlighted that this must be done in a way that reduces socio-economic impacts and allows regional communities to prosper, which is why “the New South Wales Government does not support water buybacks”.

“The new legislation requires the Australian Government to consider socio-economic impacts before purchasing water towards the 450 gigalitre target,” NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said.

“If they go down this path, I expect substantial community adjustment support to meaningfully help communities and industries adapt to a future with less water.

“My message is clear: we will not take a backward step in advocating for the interests of regional and rural New South Wales, and we will continue to explore and advocate for projects that deliver environmental benefits to the Basin while protecting our communities from large scale water buybacks.”

The NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan recommends a coordinated effort to deliver existing projects and proactively bring forward new ones that can contribute to Basin Plan targets and, in doing so, limit the volume of water buybacks from NSW communities.

The Plan also calls on the Australian Government to prioritise investment in recovering water through other mechanisms.

The NSW Government will continue to engage with the community and industry stakeholders on these projects and welcomes new ideas being brought forward.

The NSW Farmers Association has said the NSW plan offers “hope for farmers”, while the NSW Irrigators’ Council says it is a “small step forward”.

NSWIC Claire Miller said the plan identifies only a handful of water-saving projects that have been on the table for several years.

She said, at best, they would deliver about 20GL towards the Australian Government’s 450GL target by the 2027 deadline.

Ms Miller said measures such as the Murrumbidgee Irrigation and Coleambally Murrumbidgee Optimisation project could be game-changers for water recovery and healthier rivers but rely on the Commonwealth redefining what counts.

“Other proposals have potential but require the New South Wales and federal departments to work together to expedite the work if the proposals are to be progressed in time to count. History does not bode well in that regard,” Ms Miller said.

“The Federal Water Minister is clearly determined to prioritise buybacks over all other options.

“The New Wales Plan does not give communities much hope buybacks will be minimised because much depends on the Commonwealth agreeing to greater flexibility in how it recognises water recovery.”

View the plan at https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/about-us/how-water-is-managed/alternatives-to-water-buybacks-plan.