MINISTER for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson today set off to meet stakeholders in the heart of the State’s Murray-Darling Basin to give them the opportunity to discuss the impacts of the Commonwealth Government’s proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Ms Hodgkinson, who is joined by Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, Troy Grant, on her tour of the region said her discussions with water users, industry and
community leaders as well as local government will best inform the NSW Government submission to the Commonwealth’s Proposed Basin Plan.
“Over the next week, I will be meeting with stakeholders across the Basin to hear firsthand how the Proposed Plan will impact their industries, communities and way of life.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government understands that Basin residents have real concerns for the future of their communities and we continue to demand that the Basin Plan deliver a balance of environment, economic and social outcomes.
“The lack of Commonwealth Government community consultation on the Proposed Plan is just unfair, which is why this tour has been a priority for me.
“The proposed Basin Plan is a Commonwealth plan developed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority under Commonwealth legislation and will take 2750 gigalitres of surface water out of productive use to provide for unspecified environmental outcomes.
“This plan focuses solely on the volume of water that will be taken from agriculture production to the detriment of regional communities without considering the real environmental, economic and social impacts it will have for generations to come.”
Ms Hodgkinson and Mr Grant are to be hosted at Finley by Member for Murray-Darling, John Williams today and will meet Member for Murrumbidgee, Adrian Piccoli at Leeton tomorrow.
Ms Hodgkinson’s consultation visits next week will take her to Narrabri and Moree.
“These meetings will act as a starting point, as additional meetings will be held at the request of affected communities.
“I will also be taking some time to visit local industries to learn more about the exact effects the Proposed Plan will have on our State’s valued primary producers as well as our nation’s food security,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Basin community members are encouraged to make their individual submissions to the
Murray-Darling Basin Authority at www.mdba.gov.au
Email a friend