All MDBA articles
‘Too good to lose’
Friday, 13th April, 2012
The Commonwealth's bid to secure water savings for the Murray-Darling Basin from the Menindee Lakes failed because it did not meet NSW Government requirements.
The State Government has explained the reasons behind its decision to withdraw from the 'memorandum of understanding' it struck with the Commonwealth in 2010.
The two governments entered into the MoU to investigate and implement "key water reform initiatives" in NSW which centered on Broken Hill's water supply and the Menindee Lakes.
“It’s all about the rivers”
Wednesday, 11th April, 2012
People had to realise that the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was created in the interest of the entire river system rather than individual communities, according to Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) CEO Rhonda Dickson.
The MDBA visited Broken Hill yesterday for the last public consultation meeting since the Basin Plan was announced in November.
While Broken Hill would not be directly affected by the plan, the MDBA decided to visit due to concern from locals about the city’s water supply, Ms Dickson said.
Basin Plan doubt
Friday, 20th January, 2012
Some of Australia’s leading ecology experts have called on the Federal Government to reject the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) Draft Plan into water reform.
The eminent group of Australian scientists, including environmental campaigner Professor Tim Flannery, made their statement on the draft Plan early this week, stating the document lacked the most basic information required to allow anyone to make an informed decision on the future management of the Basin.
“The absence of this information makes it impossible for the community, science or Parliament to understand the implications or have confidence the Plan has any prospect of delivering a healthy working river,” they say.
Basin boss puts case to angry irrigators
Friday, 16th December, 2011
The Chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Craig Knowles, has appealed to thousands of people in Griffith to think hard about their decisions on water reform.
In scenes reminiscent of last year’s Draft Plan on water reform, Griffith locals were passionate in their opposition.
News reports of vocal protests and heckling were dotted with those more creative - one, a group carrying a coffin, wearing black arm bands and calling for Federal Water Minister Tony Burke to take a stand against water buy-backs from irrigation country.
Basin fight heats up
Thursday, 15th December, 2011
The stoush over the long-term economic impact of the Murray Darling-Basin Authority (MDBA) Plan is intensifying, with major lobby groups ramping up their arguments on just who will be hit hardest.
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called on the Federal Government to ensure greater investment in infrastructure and water efficiency to compensate farmers for what they describe as the biggest challenge to country Australia yet, but the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) claims the Plan will promote job growth.
The NFF said one-third of agriculture in the Basin would be hurt by the proposed water cuts. It claims agriculture will be the biggest loser and could drop $1.6 billion in annual earnings basin-wide.
