FRUSTRATED people in Griffith and Deniliquin tried to burn the Basin Plan when they were presented with it by the Murray Darling Basin Authority six years ago.
Frustration at the distance between the MDBA and constituents increases as water covers much of southern NSW. Near Deniliquin, Andrew and Louise Burge have 75 per cent of their crops under “a catastrophic flood” covering thousands of hectares.
“The MDBA, which controls the releases from the Hume Dam, advised they would release water starting in August but this didn’t happen so we are wearing the consequences,” Mrs Burge said.
Further north is Paul Porter’s property near the Mirrool Creek, Griffith, where 4000 hectares of his 12,000ha are under water, again. Near Narrandera, Brian Powell has 200 cattle camped on a small island and hasn’t been able to feed them.
He thinks the MDBA budget could be better spent building dams and weirs along the rivers to control flows. Thousands of people are wondering what may affect them as the Basin Plan roll out continues.
Pennie Scott
I am an independent scholar with interests and expertise in regenerative agriculture, equity and justice for farmers, functioning healthy landscapes and the culture in agri-culture. My aim is to inform holistically and honestly to ensure readers have access to what they need, now.
I am an independent scholar with interests and expertise in regenerative agriculture, equity and justice for farmers, functioning healthy landscapes and the culture in agri-culture. My aim is to inform holistically and honestly to ensure readers have access to what they need, now.
