The Murray Darling Basin Plan is still “skewed in favour of the environment”, according to Narromine mayor Craig Davies.
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The mayor said it is obvious that the triple bottom line approach of satisfying the social, economic and environmental outcomes has been so skewed in favour of the environment as “to make the [Authority’s] remarks laughable.”
Macquarie River Food and Fibre executive officer Grant Buckley said the “triple bottom line” outcomes still don’t balance the socioeconomic impacts felt across the Valley.
“Under the proposed amendments the Murray Darling Basin Authority still estimate around 150 jobs will have been lost, which doesn’t take into account the flow on effects of taking that much employment out of small communities," he said.
Cr Davies said he’s read some terrifying job forecasts for the Valley.
“The MDBA is forecasting the loss of 150 jobs in the valley whilst REMPLAN [demographers] are forecasting closer to 700 and I know which figure I believe. Nothing is more frustrating than to see our future be destroyed by people who are completely unaffected,” he said.
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) reported over 2300 submissions on the Northern Basin Plan amendments.
“The submission covered a range of views from those who felt strongly that the current water recovery settings should be retained or enhanced, through to those who advocated for no more water recovery,” MDBA chief executive Phillip Glyde said.
“We are assessing the submissions we’ve received to see if there is any new information presented, or if the submissions demonstrate a need to change the proposal.”
Mr Buckley said it’s reassuring the MDBA have acknowledged over-recovery at the Macquarie Marshes.
“[This] is something we’ve been telling them for years,” he said.
“The Macquarie has been put into this current position as a result of the flawed Basin Plan implementation and the former Labor Government’s ‘no regrets’ buy back approach.”
Cr Davies said a greater understanding of the River is needed.
“Clearly they have no understanding of this river environment but assume the higher ground on false pretences. The ‘just add water’ approach is unproductive,” he said.