Water buyback consultation concerns

A closed information session for key stakeholders was held on Monday, March 20 at The Crossing Theatre ahead of Bridging the Gap tender opening date on March 23.

The meeting was held to inform members from the Murray-Darling Basin about the strategic water buyback framework and tender process. It was attended by industry groups, local government, consultants, water brokers and select local farmers.

Executive officer of Namoi Water, Mick Coffey attended the meeting and was disappointed with the way that proceedings were conducted.

“There were only about six or seven license holders there and it felt more like an information download with no consultation,” said Mr Coffey.

“The meeting was not open to enter freely, was held at short notice and very few farmers were invited to attend.”

In a statement provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water it stated that the invitation was sent to “key stakeholders who provide a strong representation of community views and are able to share information with their communities.”

“Smaller groups will allow everyone to have a voice and share their views during the information sessions.”

Mr Coffey said that “there should have been proper consultation, and any raised concerns should have been properly addressed during the meeting.”

The Bridging the Gap framework outlines the Australian government’s approach to bridge the remaining 49.2 gigalitres gap to achieve the sustainable division limits set out in the Basin plan.

In February, the government announced its $3.1 billion commitment to pursue voluntary water buybacks from water license holders across New South Wales and Queensland in a commitment to sustain the health of the Basin and address environmental concerns.

By pursuing eligible water licenses in six catchments, 9.5 gigalitres will be required from the Namoi catchment, which will affect irrigating farmers and have flow on effects to the wider community.

“We recognise that this volume of water was to be recovered and it was always coming but there has been minimal consultation with the farmers and community, and the move straight to buybacks without consulting on options is disappointing” Mr Coffey said.

The water entitlement purchasing plan has been met with ongoing concern by farmers and local government because of the socio-economic impact on the communities affected by the buybacks.

While the meeting was an information session, continuing concerns about local communities being left behind were raised, as well as the lack of assessment to show that communities wouldn’t be heavily impacted.

Concerns about water buybacks and the effect on the community are not new concerns after NSW towns such as Warren and Collarenebri previously experienced significant loss of
irrigated land and job opportunities.

“This isn’t just concerning for irrigators, we need to know that our communities won’t get left behind, or be devastated by these buybacks,” Mr Coffey said.

“The potential impacts to our communities mean every water license holder, every business owner, any concerned individual should have been invited to these meetings.”

The government is still seeking other feasible and viable, and value for money infrastructure projects that can be pursued before June 30, 2024, to help recover more surface water.

Further information from the information sessions and framework are being provided on the department’s website.