Federal funding will flow into the cap and pipe the bores scheme in NSW, but despite the federal funding commitment NSW is yet to sign on the dotted line.
The Commonwealth re-started the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) after four months of speculation last Thursday with a three year, $15.9 million funding injection
GABSI is the funding vehicle for the cap and pipe the bores scheme.
The scheme has been in place since 1999, with joint funding from commonwealth and State governments matched dollar-for-dollar to landholders’ contributions.
But despite Commonwealth money finally starting to flow again, the NSW government has yet to fully commit.
NSW Water Minister Kevin Humphries said he backs the scheme, but is still “investigating all options in regards to providing future GABSI funding”.
However, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Simon Birmingham, who re-started the scheme said he is “very optimistic the States ill provide matching funding”.
“They lobbied us hard to continue (cap and pipe),” Mr Birmingham said.
“I have already spoken to the Queensland and NSW Minister about the ongoing funding in each State.
“I would be very surprised if there were any issues with them backing (capping and piping works) as a jointly funded scheme.”
Mr Birmingham said he will now turn his attention to developing a private funding model to continue the scheme beyond three years.
Capping and piping works will require ongoing attention, because as more old bores are capped pressure increases across the basin, which is already causing previously defunct bores to start flowing again.
“Our recent commitment to public funding will buy us time to make sure future private funding models are viable," Mr Birmingham said.
“I suspect some industries, like oil and gas, would be willing to get involved in the scheme which provides social and environmental benefits as as part of their corporate social responsibility program.”
Mike Foley
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
