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Murray-Darling Basin deal caps water buybacks to bring all states on board Murray-Darling Basin deal caps water buybacks to bring all states on board
(6 months later)
A “historic” deal has been signed between NSW and the Commonwealth, securing $80m for water infrastructure projects along the Murray-Darling Basin.A “historic” deal has been signed between NSW and the Commonwealth, securing $80m for water infrastructure projects along the Murray-Darling Basin.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, and NSW premier, Barry O’Farrell, wrapped up the agreement in Canberra on Thursday.The prime minister, Tony Abbott, and NSW premier, Barry O’Farrell, wrapped up the agreement in Canberra on Thursday.
The extra funds, which will be made available over the next eight years, will go towards water management projects and water resource plans.The extra funds, which will be made available over the next eight years, will go towards water management projects and water resource plans.
The NSW government and previous federal Labor government were in negotiations over the future of the Murray-Darling Basin but were locked in an impasse over funding and water buybacks.The NSW government and previous federal Labor government were in negotiations over the future of the Murray-Darling Basin but were locked in an impasse over funding and water buybacks.
The new agreement sets a cap on water purchases at 1500 gigalitres.The new agreement sets a cap on water purchases at 1500 gigalitres.
Abbott said the agreement with NSW brought all jurisdictions together to implement the “historic” Murray-Darling Basin plan.Abbott said the agreement with NSW brought all jurisdictions together to implement the “historic” Murray-Darling Basin plan.
Victoria, South Australia and the ACT had also reaffirmed their commitment to the plan, the prime minister said.Victoria, South Australia and the ACT had also reaffirmed their commitment to the plan, the prime minister said.
“The fundamental priorities are to ensure the Murray-Darling’s food and fibre industries remain vibrant and sustainable, and that the river system on which they rely is restored to good health for the long term,” he said in a statement.“The fundamental priorities are to ensure the Murray-Darling’s food and fibre industries remain vibrant and sustainable, and that the river system on which they rely is restored to good health for the long term,” he said in a statement.
As part of the agreement, the states have assured the federal government the money won’t be “counteracted or undone”, Abbott said. As part of the agreement, the states have assured the federal government the money won’t be “counteracted or undone”, Abbott said.
Deputy NSW premier Andrew Stoner said the agreement was good news for farmers, irrigators and the environment.Deputy NSW premier Andrew Stoner said the agreement was good news for farmers, irrigators and the environment.
“It’s important as we face drought conditions across many parts of the state,” he said in a statement.“It’s important as we face drought conditions across many parts of the state,” he said in a statement.
“One of the challenges I’m very keen to address, in addition to getting rural and regional communities through this drought, is to prepare them for the next one as well.”“One of the challenges I’m very keen to address, in addition to getting rural and regional communities through this drought, is to prepare them for the next one as well.”
To help regional communities adjust to the changes brought about by the Basin plan, the federal government will also give $32.5m to NSW, $25m to Victoria, $25m to South Australia and $15m to Queensland from the Regional Economic Diversification Program.To help regional communities adjust to the changes brought about by the Basin plan, the federal government will also give $32.5m to NSW, $25m to Victoria, $25m to South Australia and $15m to Queensland from the Regional Economic Diversification Program.
NSW farmers spokeswoman Helen Dalton said she was pleased that NSW “stood its ground” until a “sensible” limit on buybacks was reached.NSW farmers spokeswoman Helen Dalton said she was pleased that NSW “stood its ground” until a “sensible” limit on buybacks was reached.
“Irrigators and water users need certainty and the signing of this agreement today will deliver some of that for them,” she said in a statement.“Irrigators and water users need certainty and the signing of this agreement today will deliver some of that for them,” she said in a statement.
The Australian Conservation Foundation also welcomed the deal. “Securing the future of Australia’s greatest river is a long-term endeavour that requires all shoulders to the wheel. It could not be done with some states standing outside the tent,” a spokesman, Jonathan La Nauze, said.The Australian Conservation Foundation also welcomed the deal. “Securing the future of Australia’s greatest river is a long-term endeavour that requires all shoulders to the wheel. It could not be done with some states standing outside the tent,” a spokesman, Jonathan La Nauze, said.
“In signing the deal, governments are making a commitment to working together for our shared future.”“In signing the deal, governments are making a commitment to working together for our shared future.”