Murray-Darling Basin Plan numbers worst kept secret in the history of water reform

Media Release
The Wilderness Society (NSW) Inc.
27 July 2011

The Wilderness Society has responded today to rumours in the media that the draft plan for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan will propose that an amount as little as 2,800 gigalitres (GL) of water be returned to the river by saying that not only is this the worst kept secret in water reform history but also an enormous betrayal of the river and its people.

“This is the number we've been hearing for months and now it seems this is what we'll get for the $10 billion of taxpayer's money that is on the table.” said Chris Daley, Rivers Campaigner for the Wilderness Society in Sydney today.

“This amount is a far cry from the 7,600GL that the best available science is saying the river needs. In his attempts to placate Big Irrigation, Tony Burke appears to be ready to squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save the river, build vibrant, diverse rural communities and leave a legacy for future generations. If the government is not prepared to do what its own scientists and economists are saying and buy the water back, then it should return the money to taxpayers.”

The Wilderness Society has launched a new campaign calling on Tony Burke to spend the $10 billion of taxpayers money on water buybacks or to give the money back. Wilderness Society supporters will be sending the Government an invoice for their share of the $10 billion if the plan does not commit to buying back the 7,600 GL the river and its communities need to survive.

For comment contact:

Chris Daley, NSW Rivers Campaigner, 0451 007 915

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