“We don’t understand why the bill is being rushed through the Senate, especially when it is clear that concern about the potential reintroduction of water buybacks is widespread, both geographically and among industries,” MRGC acting chair Tony Marwood said.
“In presenting our concerns to the Senate Committee Inquiry in Canberra on 31 October, our sentiments were echoed by our NSW and Queensland local government counterparts, as well as by agricultural industry and farmer representatives,” he said.
“It’s interesting to note that even the Senate Committee’s own report admits that the committee accepts that buybacks will have an impact on communities.
“Furthermore, just last week, Murray-Darling Basin Authority Chair Sir Angus Houston told us that his team had heard ‘lots of concern about water buybacks’ from communities as part of their current visitation program across the basin.
“If local councils were faced with this level of community dissent on an issue, they would be obliged to consult widely and directly with the people who would be impacted by the decision. We want the Australian Government to afford our citizens the same opportunity to be heard and validated.”
The MRGC wants all parliamentarians to hear the voices of its regional communities, such as those of these agricultural business owners and industry leaders.
Almonds Australia chief executive officer Tim Jackson said: “Water buybacks will have a devastating effect on Murray-Darling Basin communities. It’ll create uncertainty and the viability of a lot of industries that have fed the nation and beyond will be under siege.”
Australian Table Grapes Association industry development manager Jenny Treeby said: “More water buybacks would mean that the price per mega-litre of water will go up. The cost of labour has already gone up, more than in the past. So, if water goes up and if labour goes up — the two key inputs — the prices at the checkout will have to reflect the increased price of production.”
Dairy farmers Andrew Tyler of Tongala and Ann Gardiner of Bamawm said: “Water buybacks will decimate the dairy industry.”
Third-generation fruit farmer Adrian Conti of Conti’s Orchards said: “If water was to be removed from this area, it would make us unviable.”
Cr Marwood said these were “the voices of our community”.
“These are ‘real people’ whose livelihoods, and that of their families and workers, will be impacted by buybacks.
“More than that, the flow-on impacts of buybacks would affect supply chain businesses and reliant sectors, such as food manufacturing and tourism, and, ultimately, community clubs, organisations and facilities.
“We implore the government to slow down the Senate process.
“We also extend an invitation to all Australian senators to come and visit our region to talk to the people so they can fully understand their concerns, and learn from their insights and experiences.”
