A lot has happened in a month. Some rice has been planted and winter crops been harvested with some results that have surprised many given the amount of rain we have had this season. As much as we would like to go about our day jobs, sadly the month has been driven by delivering strong messages about our most critical resource to decision makers. It has been a month of submissions; ACCC water markets, Socio & Economic Panel, Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) and last not but least the Murray and Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plans. The Central Executive and members of our committees have been busy giving input to all these submissions on your behalf.
As an organisation the RGA has prepared documents and created dialogue with both State and Federal members that matter to irrigators. Frustrating when well-founded data and facts with solutions are put on the table, and some would say, shoved in a draw. This continued behaviour by departments is unacceptable and we will continue to challenge the behaviour.
I must say well done to our members that attended, and the organisers of the “Can the Plan” rally. I think you may have opened one draw that could lead to many more being opened. Within Ministerial Council in a week’s time we are seeing the NSW State Government come out strongly to stand up for the NSW share of the resource. Having requested this stance earlier last month it is pleasing to see some activity. But there is still the tricky bit…states need to agree on any proposed changes. Hopefully they will agree on giving Interim Inspector General Mick Keelty the powers to audit that current system as it stands.
Finally I would like to acknowledge the work that SunRice has been doing to assist the RGA in highlighting key issues impacting reliability of NSW water entitlements. This is another avenue for getting our message heard. The multiplier effect that the rice industry has for our communities is enormous.
Have a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year, here’s to 2020 being a good one for us all.