Draft Plan raises more questions: Coulton
28-November-2011
More than a year after the release of the controversial Guide to the Basin, the final Draft of the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been released overnight. Federal Member for Parkes said the Draft leaves too many questions unanswered and fails to provide security for the 2.1 million Australians who live in the Basin and the more than 1 million who rely on it for water supplies.
The Draft Plan proposes a target of 2,750 GL returned to the Basin each year. With approximately 1300 GL of the 2,750 GL already acquired it leaves 1500 GL in new water savings yet to be secured mostly from the southern areas of the Basin.
“After many delays it seems we have a Draft Plan for the Murray Darling Basin that again fails to provide economic and social security for Basin communities. It is more about the numbers and as a result is very light on actual detail and outcomes. I am yet to see a plan as to how the environmental water will be managed.”
“The Murray Darling Basin Authority has failed to undertake proper consultation with affected communities and industries,” Mr Coulton said. “After the release of the Guide last year, the MDBA had the chance to restore some faith in their process. However, it is apparent the plan has disregarded socio-economic impacts by providing limited analysis of effect to local Basin communities.”
“The proposed water cutbacks are smaller in the Parkes electorate than other parts of the Basin largely due to the fact these areas have already endured significant water cutbacks in previous years.”
“The direct local impacts of the Draft Plan will become more apparent in the weeks to come.”
The release of the Draft Plan kicks off a 20 week consultation period. The exact format of the consultations are expected to be different from those held following the release of the Guide last year.
Mr Coulton said the Coalition supports a Plan that is based on the equal consideration of economic, social and environmental factors.
“This Government has completely mismanaged the plan so far through delays in the release of the plan and deferrals in infrastructure spending. The future of the Murray-Darling should not and cannot be a choice between the environment or agriculture.
“Investments in water-saving infrastructure should have been prioritised,” Mr Coulton said. “The Government has spent more on water buybacks than planned, and less on water-saving infrastructure than hoped for. The Government has only spent $250 million of the $5.8 billion allocated for infrastructure investments. The community of Bourke in the Parkes electorate suffered the brunt of the failed water buyback scheme with the purchase of Toorale in 2009.”
“Investing in water infrastructure not only provides benefits to every single Australian but will ensure the future expansion and viability of Australia’s multi-billion dollar agricultural industry. More importantly, money spent on infrastructure in the basin would have provided an enormous economic stimulus to many of Australia’s most drought ravaged economies.”
“The Coalition is not opposed to a plan which establishes a sustainable use of water in the Basin. A good plan will only eventuate from rigorous debate and effective consultation.”
“Unfortunately the release of the Basin Plan has not provided any certainty for Basin communities and stakeholders.”