Griffith City Council has reinforced its call for a balanced approach to water recovery following SunRice's announcement that it is consulting with workers about voluntary redundancies and workforce changes across its Riverina milling and packaging operations.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran said the announcement demonstrates the real impacts that reduced water availability is having on regional communities.
"What's happening in Leeton and Deniliquin today could happen anywhere across the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Our communities are connected through the same growers, processors, transport networks and workforce. When a major employer like SunRice is forced to reduce its workforce, the ripple effects are felt well beyond one local government area. We cannot afford policies that continue to weaken the industries that keep regional communities alive," Mayor Curran said.
"Forty per cent of the nation's food and fibre production comes from the Basin. Who will feed our country's people when this recalcitrant government strips our ability to feed ourselves? The Commonwealth Environment Water Holder (CEWH) already owns 72% of the nation's consumptive water, without common sense prevailing, what is happening in our neighbouring communities may only be the start."
Mayor Curran said Griffith's economy depends on irrigation, with agriculture and food manufacturing supporting thousands of local jobs.
"Griffith City Council supports healthy rivers and meaningful environmental outcomes, but these outcomes cannot come at the cost of dismantling the industries that feed the nation and sustain our regional towns," Mayor Curran said.
Council recently made a submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's 2026 Basin Plan Review, echoing the advocacy led by the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO). "As we said in our submission, we need a smarter approach that delivers environmental outcomes through practical, locally informed solutions, while protecting the productivity, jobs and economic future of Basin communities," Mayor Curran said
