MEDIA RELEASE

Recent comments from those involved in large-scale irrigation enterprises in the Murray-Darling Basin seem to suggest that the nation should not be concerned about their activities as they are currently growing more grains and less cotton and rice. 

This would be fine and dandy if it signalled a "Damascus road" conversion on their part with respect to their understanding of the impacts of their actions. Sadly it is clear that, irrespective of crop selection, most agribusinesses will continue to extract from the river system as much water as they are able, under the terms of their current, untenable allocation arrangements.   

Despite the visionary statements and other platitudes which emanate from this sector, it would appear that responsibilities to the environment and downstream users will still come a distant second to the demands of the balance sheet. 

The new Murray-Darling Basin Authority is not due to present its "Basin Plan" until 2011 and there is no firm time-frame for its implementation. 

Trend data is overwhelming: the Murray-Darling cannot tolerate a further three years or more of rampant abuse. If its immediate future is left in the hands of those with vested interests, could a major product of the region soon be tumble-weed? 

In line with an increasing body of expert opinion, and to allay the frustrations of those  currently considering filing a class action against the Federal Government, Fair Water Use calls upon the Prime Minister to declare a state of emergency and assume total and immediate control of all Murray-Darling water.

MEDIA RELEASE 

Fair Water Use welcomes yesterday?s announcement that the Federal Government is now seeking to purchase large irrigation enterprises and associated water licences in the Murray-Darling Basin and applauds the urgent independent audit which was also promised at the Community Cabinet meeting in South Australia. 

However concerns still exist about the depth of Government understanding of the problem and available treatments. 

On leaving the meeting in Hallett Cove last night national coordinator, Ian Douglas, stated that Senator Wong?s playing down of the merits of purchasing water currently held in the upper Darling suggested that once again she had been poorly advised by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission: ?Her concerns that transmission losses will be up to 80% are ill-founded as Fair Water Use is not asking that water be released from the northern Darling at this time,? Dr Douglas said. 

He continued, ?Water acquired in northern NSW and southern Queensland should not be released into the dry bed of the upper Darling River, but should be used as collateral to enable the immediate release of at least 300 gigalitres from the Menindee Lakes into the lower Darling.  As 200 megalitres per day is currently being discharged from the Lakes, the Darling below Menindee is in flow. The required water bolus would therefore reach the Murray with little being lost in transit. Fair Water Use urges the Government to acquire any available strategic properties irrespective of their location?. 

He went on to say that the Federal Government ?debt? would be repaid when the currently dry upper reaches of the Darling started to flow again after summer rains, enabling water to be transferred from purchased properties into the Menindee Lakes with minimal transmission losses. 

Dr Douglas added, ?The promised water audit will only be of value if it clearly defines the volume of water in public storages that is not allocated for critical human needs?. 

MEDIA RELEASE

On national television yesterday, coordinator Ian Douglas indicated that a Fair Water Use team, currently in the Upper Darling on a fact-finding mission, has confirmed reports that the Darling River is dry above Wilcannia, whilst, not far to the west, the Paroo River is flowing strongly.  

Dr Douglas stated yesterday that both the upper Darling and Paroo catchments have largely received above average to well above average rainfall over the past nine months, and added that the Paroo is the only significant river in the region that is free from major dams and diversions. These findings tend to refute, for once and for all, the mantra emanating from those involved in water interception in the region, that they have insignificant impacts on flows into the Murray-Darling system.

MEDIA RELEASE 

Reported comments today from the MDBC, that Government purchase of large irrigation enterprises would have no impact on turning around the lamentable demise of the river system, raises profound and disturbing questions as to the commission?s understanding of the causes and short and long term implications of the current water crisis.

 Fair Water Use coordinator, Dr Ian Douglas, responded to the statement, saying that in failing to support the ACF / IRN proposal, already approved by representatives of at least one of the identified properties, the Commission appeared to be acting in a manner detrimental to the Murray?Darling as a whole.

He added that concerns must exist about the quality and impartiality of the advice the Commission receives from groups such as its Community Advisory Committee, membership of which is known to include representatives from large irrigating enterprises.

Dr Douglas indicated that Fair Water Use has contacted the Commission requesting clarification of their stance on Government acquisition of irrigation properties.