The expanded water buybacks in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin will see voluntary water purchases from farmers and irrigators increasing from 170 gigalitres (GL) to 300GL in a renewed push by the Federal Government to return 450 gigalitres of water to the environment.
Chair administrator, Graeme Emonson said water buybacks posed a serious threat to the future of agriculture, horticulture and food security across Moira Shire.
“Every litre of water removed from farms means fewer crops, less milk and reduced output from orchards and processing plants,” Dr Emonson said.
“This is not just about farmers – it’s about jobs, local businesses and affordable food for families nationwide. “The flow-on effects from further buybacks will be devastating for regional and rural communities.”
Moira Shire CEO Matthew Morgan said water recovery under the Murray Darling Basin Plan seemed to be disproportionately coming from northern Victoria.
“Federal water ministers have repeatedly ignored our requests to come to our region to understand the long-term potential impact on our community and our economy,” Mr Morgan said.
“It is also disappointing that despite the water buybacks continuing, the Victorian Government has not secured any Sustainable Communities Funding for our region.
“We need robust adjustment packages to safeguard jobs, support local businesses and drive new opportunities that will secure Moira’s future growth.”
Dr Emonson and Mr Morgan joined leaders from Greater Shepparton City Council and Campaspe Shire Council at a meeting in Shepparton recently with Nicholls MP, Sam Birrell and Federal Shadow Water Minister, Ross Cadell.
Their concerns run deep over the announcement by the Federal Government to expand water buybacks under the updated ‘Restoring Our Rivers Framework’.
Environment Minister Murray Watt made the unexpected announcement that the government would purchase an extra 130GL of water, equivalent to 52,000 Olympic swimming pool, through voluntary buybacks in the southern basin.
Farming communities and regional representatives say further buybacks will deepen social and economic disadvantage.
Federation Council mayor, Cheryl Cook said the latest announcement was a matter of profound concern for the council, local irrigators and the wider shire community.
“The Southern Riverina region, including the Federation Council area, is a vital part of Australia’s food bowl,” Cr Cook said.
“The backbone of our local economy is reliant on a stable and reliable supply of water for agriculture.”
She said Federation Council was urging the Federal Government to immediately pause further water buybacks until a full, independent, and transparent socio-economic impact assessment is conducted for the local government areas affected.
“Council fully supports a healthy river system, but environmental outcomes must not come at the expense of our community's livelihoods,” Cr Cook said.
“We need genuine and robust alternative measures prioritised, such as constraints management, infrastructure investment, and efficiency projects that save water without sacrificing regional communities.”
The basin plan is due for a major review in 2026, raising the prospect of major changes to the sustainable diversion limits, how climate change is accounted for, and the involvement of First Nations communities.
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