A second irrigation group has hired RM Consulting Group to study the impact of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan on southern New South Wales.
The Murray Group, which covers Southern Riverina Irrigators, Murray Valley Private Diverters and Murray Irrigation, has asked for a study, similar to the one done for the Goulburn Murray.
“They have approached us to expand on the work we did for the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) and apply it to the Murray group,” RMCG principal Rob Rendell said.
The RMCG study on the Goulburn Murray found $550 million had been lost in production, every year since 2012, with irrigators paying more than $20 million a year, for temporary water.
It also estimated mixed farming was losing $25million a year, while dairy losses were $200m at the farm gate and $360m in processed products.
The GMID water leadership forum called for the removal of the additional 450GL of environmental upwater, still being requested by South Australia.
Murray Group chairman and West Berriquin irrigator Mark Robertson said a key issue was the impact of the 450GL of upwater on the socio-economic state of the region.
The report would compliment others, being done by the New South Wales and Victorian governments.
“It’s all about, in the end, where we are at with the plan and it’s critical we look at upwater, which we feel will tip the whole community, over the top.”
He said it was hoped the study would substantiate the savings, which had already occurred.
“Irrigated agriculture has become extremely efficient – but there are a lot more efficiencies, which can be created, before you even look at the upwater.”
Mr Rendell said it was expected the study would look at areas such as Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Jerilderie, Moulamein and around Moama.
He said the impact of the Basin Plan on the Murray Group coverage area appeared to be similar to that on the GMID.
“The GMID believes that there are better ways of improving the environment, without taking water from the consumptive pool,” Mr Rendell said.
And Deniboota Landholders Association chair Alastair Starritt welcomed the study, saying he hoped it would get to the bottom of the effects of the plan on rural communities and the wider economy.
“We really need to establish, in real terms, what that actually means, not only for rural communities, but the great economy as well.”
Mr Starritt said the loss of income from taking water out of productive use had affected the whole community, including businesses and sporting clubs.
“If you took 75 per cent of the income out of western Sydney, there would be a huge uproar,” he said.
“Now we are constantly re-educating the powers that be on their own policies, because they haven’t been around to see the full effects of those proposals. I can’t help but think its such a big problem, they don’t know where to start looking.”
Southern Riverina Irrigators chairman Graeme Pyle said the group wanted the truth – “acceptable truth, not fake truth.
“We are getting told there is no impact and everything is rosy, and we know it’s not,” he said.
He urged anyone who felt they had been affected by the plan to take part in the study.
“We want this to highlight those inadequacies of the Basin Plan.”
