Griffith City Council has slammed the Federal Government's Water Bill 2023 which proposes amendments to the 2012 Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran said the changes threaten the future of Griffith and other irrigation communities.
"Buybacks will decimate one of the most prosperous growing areas in Australia. Our government forefathers knew the potential of this area, it's a pity our current government seems determined to destroy that legacy," Councillor Curran said.
"Once we lose food security, we will be reliant on imports and we will have no control over our own destiny."
The Australian Government's bill involves buying more water licences back from farmers to meet the environmental targets of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. It will be voted on by the Senate on Wednesday 15 November 2023 and if supported would become law.
Murray Darling Association Region 9 Chair, Councillor, Glen Andreazza said the reintroduction of water buybacks and the removal of socio-economic neutrality testing, was of particular concern.
"The Federal Government is completely ignoring the impacts to communities. They appear hell bent on achieving water recovery targets without any "further delay" and they will pay whatever is required to have farmers agree to sell their water to them to achieve this politically opportunistic agenda. I'm guessing a premium of up to 50% above the true market value," Councillor Andreazza said.
"This is an enormous waste of public funds. Public funds should be utilised to continue with improving efficiencies and better managing water in the distribution network. Council's General Manager, Brett Stonestreet said State and Federal Government bureaucracy red tape and ineptitude have meant that projects proposing improved water efficiencies have stalled.
"These centralised bureaucracies are totally disconnected with those who live and work in the Murray Darling Basin. The delivery of the projects should be shifted to regionally based entities who already have a track record of getting work done on time and budget. The Bill proposes an additional 18 months to have projects implemented. This is not enough time," he said.
"Community and business confidence in the Basin will be decimated by this Government agenda and our Nation as a whole will suffer the consequences for generations to come.
"Twelve years ago, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan landed in laps of regional communities and the result was a smashing of business and community confidence. The NSW Department of Planning at that time immediately adjusted down the forward population projections for Griffith. They projected a reduction in population by 20%. This resulted in plummeting real estate values as well as constricted private and public sector investment. This cannot be allowed to happen again.
"This Bill is about securing political seats in Parliament leading into the next election not the greater good of the Basin as a whole. It will impact every Australian in the long run with our food and fibre coming to your local shop via a shipping container from overseas."
