Basin Water Use Remains Well Below Sustainable Diversion Limits, Raising Questions About Government Buybacks

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) latest “Register of Take” report reveals that water diversions across the Basin were 23% below the Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs), challenging claims that water is being overused.

NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller criticized the Commonwealth for misleading the public through television advertisements that suggest water overuse, despite evidence to the contrary.

“The MDBA’s own data shows that, once again, water use is well within the SDLs. Much of the unused water remains in the rivers, enhancing fows and benefting the environment,” Ms. Miller stated.

She expressed concern that despite this, the Commonwealth is planning large-scale water buyback tenders targeting the most vulnerable communities throughout 2024-25.

“So why is the Commonwealth pushing forward with reckless buybacks and unnecessary rule changes when the data clearly shows SDLs are being met across all Basin States, including NSW?” Ms. Miller questioned. “The answer lies in fulflling a political promise made to South Australia back in 2012, based on outdated models that have since been overtaken by new insights, such as those provided by these MDBA reports on water use.”

The MDBA report, dated March 2024, was quietly published on August 2, without public notifcation, and after the Commonwealth had already initiated its buyback tenders.

According to the report, NSW Basin water use was 16.6%, or 1,105 GL, below the state’s SDLs for 2022-23. Several NSW valleys were signifcantly under their diversion limits, including:

• Barwon-Darling: Water users diverted 34% (155 GL) less than the valley’s 2022-23 SDL.

• NSW Murray: Water users diverted 25% (342.6 GL) less than the valley’s 2022-23 SDL.

• MacquarieCastlereagh: Water users diverted 27% (231 GL) less than their 2022-23 SDL.

• Gwydir Valley: Water users diverted 26% (214.5 GL) less than the valley’s 2022-23 SDL. Overall, Basin-wide water use was 23% (2,675 GL) below the SDLs for the same period.

Since SDL accounting began on July 1, 2019, water use across the Basin has consistently remained below the SDLs, resulting in a cumulative 5,076 GL of unused water over the past three years.

Ms. Miller urged the Commonwealth to stop perpetuating the narrative that water is being overused to justify further buybacks from farmers, which she argues will not address the underlying issues affecting river health.

“The defnition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” Ms. Miller said.

“More than 3,000 GL has already been recovered under the Basin Plan and earlier reforms, yet our native fsh and waterbirds are still struggling.”

She pointed out that the ongoing degradation of the rivers is due to factors such as European Carp damaging water quality and habitat, and that addressing these degradation drivers would lead to the systemic, Basin-wide improvements that Australians expect from the $13 billion reform.

“The Commonwealth’s decision to buy back another 450 GL of water is puzzling, especially when water use has consistently been well below the SDLs since the Basin Plan’s inception, and even below the Cap before that. These buybacks will only harm the viability of communities and family farms,” Ms. Miller argued.

“It’s time for the Commonwealth to acknowledge the realities on the ground and shift focus towards measures that genuinely improve river health, rather than pursuing political targets that ultimately do more harm than good.”

In Loving memory

Gwen And Norm Morrow

The sun still rises in the east And darkness falls at night But nothing now seems quite the same Each day is not as bright

The birds still sing, the flowers grow The breeze still whispers too But it will never, ever be The same world without you It’s so sad that you had to go Your leaving caused such pain

But you both are very special And earth’s loss is heaven’s gain

We can’t believe it’s been 20 years since we lost our funny, exuberant and wonderful Dad, and 4 years since we lost our loving, caring, talented and very special Mum.

We miss you both every day. We miss our chats. You are forever in our hearts.

Loved always and sadly missed by Wendy, Terry, Julie, Ken, Greg & Kerry And their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Judith Anne Wassell (nee McKinlay)

01/12/1965 – 16/08/2009 43 years

Your passing 15 years ago has le a void in our lives, but your memories continue to ll our hearts with love and happiness.

Loved

& remembered always Your loving Family

MARY ROSS

26. 06. 1937 ~ 23. 08. 2024

Late of Lennox Head.

Passed away peacefully, aged 87 in Ballina Hospital with her loving children by her side.

Dearly loved wife of Bill (dec) for 65 years.

Cherished mother and mother-in-law of Peter, Trevor & Margaret, Keith (dec) and Leonie & Ricky Martin. Proud nanna of James, Daniel, Michael, Michelle, Sam, Ryan, Georgia and Jackson. Best nanna to Noah and Elly-May.

Requiem Mass for the repose of Lorna’s soul will be celebrated at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cherry Street, Ballina THURSDAY (August 29, 2024) commencing at 9.30 am. Following the service the cortege will leave for the East Ballina Cemetery.

Ballina 02 6686 7036

Passed away peacefully on Monday 19th August 2024. Late of Ballina, aged 75.

Devoted wife of Bob. Beloved daughter of June and Stanley (both dec.). Cherished sister of Lynette, Colleen and Warren. Loved and sadly missed by her extended family and friends. A private cremation was held.

Ballina 02 6686 7036

HOARE, Mary Rose

Late of Ballina. Formerly of Moree.

Passed away 24th August 2024. Dearly loved wife to Keith (Dec). Will be sadly missed by all her dear family and friends.

Aged 89 Years

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service for Mary to be held Friday, 8th November 2024 at the Richmond Chapel, Parkview Funeral Home, 21 Kalinga Street, Ballina NSW commencing at 10.00am.

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