MEDIA RELEASE
Basin councils united against disallowance motion
Local government representatives from across the Murray-Darling Basin have reaffirmed their support for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Amendment, passed through parliament in November 2017.
The Amendment reduces the water recovery reduces the water recovery target in the Northern Murray Darling Basin from 390GL to 320GL, but is now subject to a disallowance motion by Senator Sarah Hansen-Young. The disallowance motion will be put to the Senate for resolution in the next fortnight.
Member councils and communities of the Northern Basin have called on Senators to support the Amendment as it stands, and provide certainty for their already struggling towns and industries.
‘The Murray-Darling Basin Authority recommended the amendment after extensive consultation with the impacted communities, and balanced consideration of the environmental impacts of the recommended reduction. This was a decision based in science, and one that has the support of our regions from Balonne to Adelaide.
At a meeting of the chairing councils of all regions of the MDA in Albury this week, a motion to support the Amendment was put by Balonne Shire Council CEO Matt Magin, and seconded by the Chair of Region 7, Adelaide Metro Cr David Shetliffe. The motion received unanimous support, with only Region 10 not in attendance.
“Our members from all states recognise the importance of local government working together to ensure the fair and equitable implementation of the Basin Plan,” Cr Thurley said.
The reduction also has the backing of new Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud, who expressed his support at the August 2017 meeting of the MDA’s Queensland member councils (Region 12).
Region 12 representative, Balonne Shire Council CEO Matt Magin, said Northern Basin communities already hard-hit by buybacks couldn’t afford to give up more water.
“We support the Basin Plan and we want to see it implemented, but we can’t carry this burden on our own,” he said.
“If the disallowance motion succeeds and the recovery target is increased to 390 gigalitres, it will mean further uncertainty for all Northern Basin communities. Dirranbandi would be finished and St George would be decimated.”
MDA CEO Emma Bradbury said the unanimous support for the Region 12 motion demonstrated the strength of the local governments’ support for it’s members.
"Our members recognise that every region has different priorities and challenges under the Basin Plan and we don't shy away from that," she said. "Our role is to ensure local government is able to stand together in pursuit of the best outcomes for our regions – whatever that may be."
[END]
For more information, contact MDA CEO Emma Bradbury on 0429 905 017 or Cr David Thurley on 0419 510 274. All Region Chairs are also available for comment.
Contact information for the Chairs of the Murray Darling Association
|
Region |
Name |
Organisation |
Mobile Phone |
Email Address/ Chair |
|
Region 1 |
Cr David Thurley |
Albury City |
0419 510 274 |
DThurley@alburycity.nsw.gov.au |
|
Region 2 |
Cr Peter Mansfield |
Moira Shire Council |
0428 574 433 |
pmansfield@moira.vic.gov.au |
|
Region 3 |
Cr Leigh Byron |
Balranald Shire Council |
0428 201 301 |
mayor@balranald.nsw.gov.au |
|
Region 4 |
Cr Darriea Turley |
Broken Hill City Council |
0429 848 480 |
Darriea.Turley@health.nsw.gov.au |
|
Region 5 |
Cr Peter Hunter |
Renmark Paringa Council |
0447 177 341 |
crhunter@renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au |
|
Region 6 |
Cr Barry Featherston |
Alexandrina Council |
0417 808 565 |
barry.featherston@alexandrina.sa.gov.au |
|
Region 7 |
Cr David Shetliffe |
Town of Walkerville |
0414 631 442 |
DShetliffe@walkerville.sa.gov.au |
|
Region 8 |
Cr Denis Clarke |
Northern Areas Council |
0408 148 725 |
shock56@bigpond.net.au |
|
Region 9 |
Cr Paul Maytom |
Leeton Shire Council |
0447 293 829 |
paulm@leeton.nsw.gov.au |
|
Region 12 |
Cr Richard Marsh |
Balonne Shire Council |
0409 692 299 |
richard.marsh@balonne.qld.gov.au |
