The following was circulated by FWU to Murray-Darling interest and action groups on August 2nd:

Today?s rally in Adelaide (1st August 2008) was a significant contribution to the public effort to save our precious river system. The organisers are to be congratulated for their sterling efforts. 

However, it is becoming clear that the impact of such protests is lessened by the absence of a nationally-coordinated, grass-roots campaign.

An increasing number of groups are being established, each with their own agenda. Governments, State and Federal, must be breathing sighs of relief that, unlike the ?Save The Franklin Campaign? so ably coordinated by the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and the Australian Conservation Foundation, current lobbying for the Murray-Darling, whilst genuinely passionate and well-intentioned, has yet to register with the majority of Australians. 

As we all know, the essential problem is that the Murray-Darling crisis is considerably more complex than the Franklin, necessitating consideration of a wide range of environmental, social and economic issues. Moreover our elected representatives are able to cite climate change in an attempt to absolve themselves of the need to take urgent action. 

Without effective national coordination, governments can dismiss any actions as local and politically insignificant? and make no mistake, with statesmanship in such lamentably short supply, it is only by tweaking the electoral nerve that governments will respond to public pressure. Fair Water Use is receiving increasing input from supporters and other concerned citizens in this regard.

Obviously the campaign must not end when or if the Federal Government finally moves to acquire and release the water currently being called for. There is a plethora of other initiatives that must be applied thereafter if Murray-Darling is to have a future. 

You are being sent this email to sound out support for the establishment of a peak-body to assume responsibility for a national public campaign. Involved groups will be able to offer differing categories and levels of support, but all of great value. 

A prerequisite of this initiative would be a willingness of associated parties to agree to consider whatever actions respected independent bodies and experts tell us should be applied to save the Murray-Darling as a whole - from headwaters to Murray mouth, in order that a national agenda may be formulated. That of Fair Water Use is appended to initiate discussion. While efforts focus on saving specific parts of the river system, holistic and effective treatments are likely to be thwarted.  

As an initial step, it would be most helpful if you would indicate whether your group may have an interest in this proposal. Additionally please forward this email to any other groups or individuals that you feel might also be interested. 

All input and comment is welcome via: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Keep up the fight

FAIR WATER USE AGENDA - JULY 2008

                Commercial water volume = Total River Flow ? Environmental Flow Requirements