Monday 30 January 2017
Southern Basin communities are feeling the impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan but with a full review still five years away Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has urged irrigators to have their say at upcoming community drop-in sessions.
Last year a review of the Plan’s impact on Northern Basin Communities revealed too much water had been taken from productive use prompting a reduction in the amount of water that will eventually be recovered.
“Northern Victoria’s irrigators are also hurting and are holding out for a review that is still years away ” Mr Walsh said.
“Irrigators feel their voice has not been heard by the Murray Darling Basin Authority I urge irrigators to attend the MDBA’s community drop-in sessions and speak to staff directly so they can hear first-hand the impact the Basin Plan is having on Goulburn Murray Irrigation District communities.”
This year southern irrigators in 30 centres will contribute to a “˜report card’ update of the social environmental and economic outcomes of the Basin Plan.
“I believe a review of the Southern Basin will clearly demonstrate the negative impacts the Plan is having on our communities as was proven in the Northern Basin Review ” Mr Walsh said.
The Moama drop-in session will be held on Thursday February 2 from 8.30am to 11am at the Moama Bowling Club 6 Shaw Street Moama.
