RGA Disappointed by the Expanded Water Purchase Program
The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has expressed deep concern following the Federal Government’s announcement of an expanded voluntary water program towards the 450 gigalitres (GL) of additional environmental water, during the Murray Darling Basin Leadership Summit.
The Minister chose to make the announcement on the second day of the MDBA Leadership Summit, which started with a lot of goodwill and positive engagement by stakeholders across the Basin. The RGA considers the announcement to be against the spirit of the event, hosted by the MDBA. It has been widely agreed that the water buyback program is creating significant uncertainty for irrigation communities across the Murray–Darling Basin. While the Summit fostered constructive dialogue and collaboration on insights into the Basin Plan Review, this late intervention overshadowed progress and raised serious questions about the future of regional livelihoods.
Details of the strategy remain unclear, including how the additional 130GL will be split between the Expression of Interest (EOI) program within the Irrigation Infrastructure Operators (IIOs) footprint and the larger parcels of the previous EOI. Equally troubling are the socio-economic assessments underpinning these decisions, which appear grossly inadequate and fail to reflect the real-world impacts on individual Basin communities and industries.
“This approach risks undermining confidence and stability in irrigation communities,” said RGA President Peter Herrmann. “We need solutions that deliver environmental outcomes without sacrificing the social and economic resilience of the regions that grow our food.”
The RGA is calling for a shift in thinking away from simply adding water and towards strategies that balance environmental objectives with community sustainability. The Association will continue to engage with stakeholders and advocate for a Basin Plan that protects both ecosystems and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
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