Government Meets Strong Opposition To Murray-Darling Basin Plan

The Australian Greens is opposing the plan set by the federal government for its Murray-Darling Basin, which puts the annual allocation of water at 2,750 gigalitres only.

The party expected the allocation to be set at 4,000 gigalitre. With its opposition, the Greens has earned the support of the Australian Conservation Foundation, which says that the Water Minister, Tony Burke, must properly assess why it is necessary to allocate a high volume of water supply to the system.

The proposed plan was also rejected by other states that include Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia.

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said that even scientists and experts believe that the allocation intended for the Murray-Darling Basin will not be sufficient. The river from which the basin sources out needs 7,600 gigalitres every year, in order for the river to sustain the surrounding areas and remain healthy.

Hanson-Young has urged the federal government to listen to the experts and insisted that, more than anything, a reform must be done to this allocation plans.

Even the opposition agrees that the proposal must be reassessed.

Senior Nationals Barnaby Joyce said that this proposal may even lead to loss of jobs. There are over 2,100 jobs that depend on the sustenance of this basin, which may also have an effect on the economics of five towns in the NSW area.

Joyce calls the proposal “dodgy” and suggested farmers will remain in their lands, even as they sell their water rights.

The federal government of Queensland has yet to make the proposal final.

Tagged Australian Conservation Foundation, Barnaby Joyce, Murray-Darling, NSW, Sarah Hanson-Young, The Greens, Tony Burke