A prominent group of scientists who claim the NSW Government are “actively destroying” the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) are just headline seeking, say MIA irrigators.
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The front page story in the Sun Herald on the weekend reported the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists claiming the the NSW and Victorian governments are failing to properly protect a river system on which millions of Australians depend.
The Wentworth Group claimed the two state governments are not doing enough to fund projects, implement strategies and negotiate with landowners to allow for the delivery of water downstream.
National Irrigators Council CEO Steve Whan, however, accused the scientists of “headline seeking”.
“The Wentworth Group has a legitimate role in advocating the environmental health of the Murray Darling Basin, but they are diminishing their ‘independence’ by being sensationalist, instead of constructive.
“It’s all very well for someone looking in from the outside to say it should be instantly fixed, but we should recognise that the people who are actually affected are entitled to full consultation and careful planning”.
Murrami rice grower Debbie Buller was less diplomatic in her condemnation of the scientists.
“The Wentworth Group won't be happy until all inland production and irrigation is shut down,” she said
The Murray Darling Basin Plan stipulates the amount of water that can be drawn from the Murray-Darling system, aiming to take at least 2750 gigalitres a year from irrigated agriculture and return it to rivers, wetlands and flood plains.
Ms Buller says the Wentworth group are fixated with the 2750 figure, which is not grounded in any scientific basis.
“They are playing politics over the numbers… there is absolutely no evidence to suggest what they’re advocating is good for the environment”.
The Wentworth Group say five years after the basin plan came into effect, physical obstacles and river operating rules still impeded the delivery of water downstream.
They pointed to a $200 million constraints management strategy, of which just $5 million has so far been spent.
Mr Whan said while dealing with constraints is frustratingly slow, “barrelling in” with headline seeking comments is not helpful.
Oliver Jacques
Moved to Griffith as a refugee from Sydney traffic and housing prices. Previously freelanced for The Guardian, ABC, SBS and Daily Telegraph. Email story ideas to oliver.jacques@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Moved to Griffith as a refugee from Sydney traffic and housing prices. Previously freelanced for The Guardian, ABC, SBS and Daily Telegraph. Email story ideas to oliver.jacques@fairfaxmedia.com.au
