Murray Darling Basin snub to hurt local farmers

The recent decision by Federal Water Minister, Tanya Plibersek, to cut Victoria out of the Murray Darling Basin Plan will have enormous consequences on local irrigators and farmers within the Ovens Valley.
Nationals Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said that cutting Victoria out of the deal will not help deliver the Basin Plan, and will hurt local communities when water buybacks return.
“This is a shameful decision from Federal Labor, and the consequences will be felt deeply in Victoria.
“We have substantial almond and fruit growing operations along the Murray in Cobram, and in the small towns that rely on irrigation to survive such as Katamatite.
“When you take the water out these communities, you take the heart and soul out of them.
“Environmental groups who support buybacks are single minded and singularly focused, The Nationals are always seeking a balanced outcome between what is best for our environment and what’s best to keep our communities alive and functional. We can do both.”
Mr McCurdy also said that buybacks would inflate the water market and lead to price increases to farmers, and potentially consumers.
“We saw the devastating impacts of buybacks the last time the Commonwealth stepped into the market, and the massive price inflation.
“The last thing farmers and locals need during a cost-of-living crisis is an increase to the grocery bill because Tanya Plibersek is pushing through the deal regardless of the consequences.
“Cutting Victoria out of the deal does not mean we will be immune to the impacts of it, and I stand behind our local communities that rely upon water to survive.”