Water - Allocations & Buyback Scheme discussions
President of the Local Government and Shires Association Cr Bruce Miller yesterday convened the annual general meeting of the Western Riverina/Murray F Division councils held at Jerilderie Civic Hall where he again called on the Federal Government to increase its commitment and the pace of the roll out of improving irrigation in the State's water-starved west.
At the 2009 LGSA Water Management Conference Cr Miller said that instead of concentrating on water buybacks, the focus should be on helping councils and farmers develop better irrigation methods.
"There are a range of water needs in the basin - urban, production, irrigation and environmental. We know our river systems are in desperate need of protection, but so too are our rural communities There must be a balance, and the Water for the Future grant program is a great example of what we should be focusing on," he said.
Cr Miller today also expressed his disappointment with the lack of progress that has been made regarding the Water and Sewerage Inquiry.
"We were given an undertaking that there was some progress prior to Christmas, however, to date there has been no further movement," Cr Miller said.
President of the Western Riverina/Murray F Division, Cr Lindsay Renwick confirmed that the impact of prolonged drought conditions in the Western Riverina/Murray regions has been devastating.
"I was the former Mayor of Deniliquin and during that time we experienced the worst drought in history," he said. "In a region that formerly produced 1.7 million tonnes of rice per annum we have gone to nothing. At the moment we are experiencing a small degree of relief due to some welcome rains, however, the situation remains critical."
Cr Miller joined Cr Renwick in commending local councils for their efforts in the face of drought.
"Jerilderie and all the surrounding towns have done a brilliant job in keeping up morale and maintaining efficient infrastructure and services despite the difficulties caused by drought," Cr Miller said.
Further to the issue of water buyback, a motion was carried at today's meeting that the NSW Local Government and Shires Association make urgent representations to the NSW Minister for Water, Hon Phillip Costa MP to act immediately to prevent the communities in NSW from destruction as a result of the accelerated water buyback negotiated by Senator Xenophon.
A second motion moved by Jerilderie Shire was carried to request that the State Government give the Catchment Management Authorities in NSW responsibility for adaptive environmental water in their respective valleys as a matter of policy.
The inquiry into Local Water Utilities and the water buyback scheme will be key issues at this year's annual Water Management Conference, to be held in Orange on 13-14 September 2010.
Media Enquiries: Christine Paul - 0416 418 618
Media Comment: Cr Bruce Miller - 0428 629 934
