Latest news with #Murray-DarlingBasinAuthority
ABC News
25-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Murray-Darling Basin Plan report card finds water reform working
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the findings of a comprehensive evaluation of water reform in the country's largest river system. The review comes 13 years after the adoption of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which aimed to improve the health of the system and strike a balance between the environment and water users, including irrigators. Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) chief executive Andrew McConville says it is clear the basin is better off now. "When you look across the environmental indicators, the farm productivity indicators and continuing growth in the overall value of the economy of the basin, things are moving forward overall quite well." The 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation is the most extensive review of the water reform to date. Mr McConville said "environmental conditions are better now than would have been without " the basin plan, with improvements to waterbird habitat and breeding and vegetation. The report shows that more than 2,100 gigalitres of water per year have been recovered to support the environment. That has come from upgrades to infrastructure and water buybacks from farmers. However, Murray Darling Conservation Alliance does not share MDBA's positive sentiment. Its national director, Craig Wilkins, said the ecosystems were in decline. "Without bold action to recover more water, rivers that sustain life across south-eastern Australia potentially face collapse," he said. "At best, the audit indicates that we are winning very slowly, because the river is already sick and climate change in biting. Mr Wilkins said the plan had only delivered two thirds of the water that was promised. "To be frank, that original water target was an artificially low political one, well below what scientists were saying at the time," he said. "It's a bit like trying to fight to feed a big family with only two thirds of the minimum wage. However, Mr Wilkins said there was some good news to take away from the reports. "There's small recoveries in some places, and the good news is environmental water does work," he said. In high irrigation communities like Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley, the basin plan has long been a hot topic. Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Leadership Group member, David McKenzie said the plan had caused negative socio-economic impacts. Mr McKenzie said the evaluation of the basin plan by the MDBA was the authority 'marking their own homework', and was not reflective of what was truly happening across the basin. "When it's a negative impact, particularly socio-economic impact, they're quick to say there's a lot of things going on and it's not just the basin plan, " he said. "But when there's any win anywhere, whether it's a cultural, social, economic, environmental outcome, they'll claim it for the basin plan." Data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, shows that total milk production in northern Victoria has fallen by about 40 per cent since 2000. Murrabit Dairy farmer and chair of the Victorian Farmers Federation Water Council, Andrew Leahy, said his community had shrunk over the past 12 years. "We've gone from about 40 dairy farms back to about six," Mr Leahy said. "We don't see that in the reports — there's obviously less people in the district." Mr Leahy said water prices had tripled over the past decade and farmers had been forced to adapt to growing fodder with less water. "We've changed our ways dramatically," he said. "How we farm to cope with the less amount of water and that obviously adds a cost." The MBDA evaluation acknowledged the authority needed to improve support for the values and cultural water uses of First Nations people. Water law and policy expert at the University of Melbourne Erin O'Donnell said the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the MDBA was slowly getting better. "It's quite heartening to see that in there because that is a step towards the truth-telling that is so important, but it also tells you a lot about the relationships that exist." With the review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan due in 2026, Dr O'Donnell said the MDBA needed to recognise First Nations leadership. "This evaluation consistently talks about things like consultation, fatigue. Of course, people are tired of being consulted because being consulted is nowhere near enough." Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, a confederation of First Nations from the southern part of the Murray Darling Basin, declined to comment.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers warn that impending price hike will have grave consequences on food supply: 'Will drive family farms out of business'
Farmers in Australia are feeling more unsupported now than ever by the Australian government with decisions on hikes in water prices fast approaching, Region Riverina reported. These changes may make Australian-grown food unaffordable for residents, causing them to turn to cheaper imported foods, which may put farmers out of business. The Murray-Darling Basin has long supported the sustenance and life of surrounding communities. The basin's water allows farmers to grow food and take care of livestock, supporting 8,400 irrigated agriculture businesses, or 40% of all Australian farms, according to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Each year, the basin produces about $30 billion worth of food and other agricultural products, which includes 40% of the country's produce and 30% of the country's dairy. The basin's water is crucial to the Australian agricultural industry. WaterNSW and the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation, two government agencies, lease Australian farmers the right to extract water from the basin. Both agencies plan to hike their water prices because of "climate change risk, rising management and compliance costs and upgrades to technology," per Region Riverina. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales is deliberating on these price increase proposals and is expected to reach a decision by July. The steepest — along the Peel River in northwest NSW — would mean a 341% increase in the cost of water by 2030, according to Region Riverina. "These exorbitant price hikes currently before IPART will drive family farms out of business and Aussie food off the shelves," the NSW Irrigators' Council said, per Region Riverina. Since 1910, Australia has warmed 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to AdaptNSW. Rising temperatures are accompanied by drastic changes in rainfall patterns — with Southern Australia, where the Murray-Darling Basin is located, experiencing more heat and drought-like conditions, and Northern Australia experiencing more frequent and intense rainfalls, especially in recent decades. With unpredictable and scarce rainfall, the price of water has become more expensive. Should the government be allowed to control how restaurants run their business? Never Only in some cases Only for chain restaurants Yes in all cases Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Australian farmers have been asked to choose between paying excessively high prices to continue farming or going out of business. And even if they can pay for the price hikes, Australian-grown food on supermarket shelves would reflect that cost burden, causing consumers, who are already feeling the cost-of-living squeeze, to reach for cheaper imported foods. The best way to support local farmers is to shop for locally grown foods. Of course, it is not always possible to purchase more expensive options. However, with strategic planning and a little flexibility at the store, such as buying dry goods in bulk, you may be able to stretch your grocery budget. Additionally, let your local representatives know that supporting farmers is important to you. Farmers have been fighting the fight, but power often lies in numbers. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
