26 November 2019
Scrapping the river plan would set us back decades
Premier Gladys Berejiklian should intervene to stop the Nationals trashing the Murray Darling Basin Plan, according to the Nature Conservation Council.
“The plan is the result of years of cooperation between the states and is our best chance of restoring the river and ensuring agriculture along its length is sustainable,” NCC Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
“We have almost killed the Murray-Darling as a functioning ecosystem because of greed and mismanagement.
“Reneging on the promise to return 450 gigalitres into river would doom the Murray cod, our river red gums and internationally significant wetlands.
“That will have dire consequences for everyone with an interest in the river system: farmers, graziers, the fishing industry, and communities.
“NSW has already subverted the environmental aspects of the plan by insisting on substantially less water being returned to the system than scientists said was required.
“Scrapping the plan it will mean the good-will needed to balance the needs of users of the river system, state governments and the health of the river itself, will be lost for generations.
“It is more important now more than ever that NSW honours its commitment to put enough water back into the Murray Darling river system to keep it alive.
“The record drought has shown us what happens when greed and incompetence are allowed to rule water policy.
“Whatever improvements the Basin plan needs -- and there are many -- should be discussed in good faith with all stakeholders.”
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Rivers and wetlands
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