“Water use has drastically declined since the basin plan, with one in three litres of irrigation water now out of production and new sustainable diversion limits set by the basin plan in force,” National Irrigators Council chief Zara Lowien said.
“In the Murray-Darling Basin, water use for agriculture is not the problem it once was, with priorities now shifting to ensuring the vast volumes of water recovered from farmers for the environment can be delivered to maximise environmental benefits.
“A report by the MDBA (Murray-Darling Basin Authority) confirms that some vital Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism supply projects will not be delivered. Meaning the environmental benefits will not be realised and threatening communities with more water recovery.
“These projects are state responsibilities, but the basin plan was written to enable the Federal Government to recover more water, if the states did not deliver their projects on time.
“More water is no substitute for these projects, it’s a lose-lose: the environment can’t get the important projects, and communities and industries will further suffer from less water, unless alternatives are considered.”
The report found almost half of the SDLAM measures were unlikely to be completed by December 31, 2026. This leaves a 255 to 355GL shortfall against the 605GL total offset, but also important environmental projects not in place.
“This report has all but confirmed there will be another gap to cover and failed environmental projects that underpin basin plan effectiveness,” Ms Lowien said.
“Further complicating the matter is an independent review finding the Federal Government’s plan to recover 450GL of additional water would cost taxpayers another $1.3 billion and the government’s own evidence highlighting that ‘just adding water’ isn’t the solution.
“We have the Federal Government out there buying back optional water under a separate program costing an extra $1.3 billion, while there is no funding pathway forward for important environmental projects that are needed, like supply and constraints.
“It’s illogical and a change of course is needed urgently before we waste taxpayers' money and limit opportunities to fund what's really needed.”
The National Irrigators Council is calling for a review of Water for the Environment Special Account policy outcomes (the program designed to enhance environmental outcomes of the basin plan), to clearly link how funding and water recovery will actually deliver for the basin’s environment and communities and inform next year’s basin plan review.
