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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. | |
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.” |