MEDIA RELEASE

Yesterday's attempt by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water to justify the dramatic increase in extractions from the headwaters of the Darling by stating that that much of the Queensland water "breaks out into floodplains or alternatively feeds into terminal wetlands resulting in a great loss of this water", exemplifies the magnitude of the problem facing the Murray-Darling as a direct result of its mismanagement.

"These comments once again raise major concerns about the level of understanding of water dynamics possessed by the very institutions responsible for the management of the Murray-Darling", Fair Water Use Coordinator, Dr Ian Douglas was reported as saying today.

He added "As long as water authorities either fail to comprehend or ignore the complex and vital relationship between surface-water, wet-lands, groundwater, aquifers and river health, the future for the Murray-Darling is grim".

"This is a totally unacceptable situation which re-emphasises the need for the Federal Government to call a State of Emergency, assume immediate control of the entire Basin and put an end to the state-based exploitation which has brought the system to its knees", Dr Douglas concluded.