Irrigators slam water shake-up

According to the Council, consultation on the removal of Water Commissioner David Harriss, was insufficient.

However, Natural Resources, Land and Water Minister Kevin Humphries has rejected NSW Irrigators' claim.

"Contrary to claims by the NSW Irrigators Council, the Director General of the Department of Primary Industries did directly consult, at my request, with the NSW Irrigators Council chair and chief executive prior to the decision," he said.

"In addition to the regular meetings I will be having with NSW Irrigators, I have also asked the Director General to continue close consultation between Irrigators and the Department to ensure the restructuring strengthens interaction between NSW water users and the Office of Water."

NSW Irrigators chair Richard Stott said the consultation Mr Humphries referred to occurred last week.

"We were only informed that there wouldn't be the role of Water Commissioner for rural water rural management (in the future) two days before they announced they are removing that position, but that is not consultation" Mr Stott said.

A spokesman for the Department of Primary Industries said a meeting with the Director General took place on Wednesday, May 21, and NSW Irrigators were informed of the removal of the role of Water Commissioner on Friday, May 23.

The removal of the Water Commissioner's role is part of a wider departmental shake-up announced on Monday.

Mr Stott said the Water Commissioner would have offered valuable expertise at a crucial point in time.

"It is appallingly bad timing to abolish the Water Commissioner role now," Mr Stott said.

Mr Stott said planning for water recovery infrastructure projects, under the national Murray Darling Basin Plan, were at a critical point.

"To abolish the position of Water Commissioner when the current incumbent probably has the most knowledge of how the Basin works and how NSW can best meets its water recovery commitments under the Plan is very short-sighted," Mr Stott said.

"This should have been avoided, and a better transition plan to a new water management structure within the government undertaken after consultation with irrigators across the State."