The stakes are high, the process convoluted and but now, finally, a keystone of the Basin Plan to limit recovery of water allocation from irrigators is nearing completion.
But irrigation communities will remain on edge until the figures are set in stone for major water saving projects, which could save up to 650 gigalitres of irrigation entitlements across the Basin.
The states have made about 37 project proposals, which have been assessed by the Murray Darling Basin Authority. The findings will top the agenda at a ministerial council of Basin state ministers, sometime in July.
If the MDBA advises the proposals fell short, states must return to the well for fresh ways to get more water for the river, which will raise the ire of many in irrigation communities already stressed by the impact of reduced water entitlements.
But the water pressure will flow both ways.
In February, with a rare display of bipartisan bonhomie, NSW and Victoria joined forces to commission an independent expert panel to review the MDBA’s modelling of water recovery.
In keeping with the high political stakes, NSW Regional Water Minister Niall Blair and Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville effectively put the MDBA on notice and said their review would investigate “a lack of transparency around the assumptions” in the MDBA’s calculations.
Mr Blair said this week the independent review demonstrated a commitment to both the Basin Plan, and to maximise the potential water saving projects.
“We worked hand in hand with Victoria, not to block the plan, but to get the right outcomes,” he said.
“Our communities have been hurting and we need to give them some certainty.
“We can’t be shortchanged and we do reserve the right to put our foot down and demand the best result possible.”
Victorian Farmers Federation water council chairman Richard Anderson said the SDL adjustment mechanism was critical to communities.
“There’ got to be a tipping point where irrigation systems cannot afford to lose any more water and remain viable,” he said.
“There is a risk, if we don’t get this right, a government could come back into the market for more buybacks.
“Yes, there is a cap on buybacks, but that is only legislation and it can be changed depending on the numbers in parliament.”
South Australia Murray Irrigators chairwoman Caren Martin said the assessments were an important step to verify the value of the project proposals.
“The ministerial meeting is very important, This water saving process has been going on for decades, and deals were done that some say failed to deliver real water,” she said.
“We want to see if this equates to real environmental benefits and more water in the system.”
The Basin Plan requires water use be reduced by 2750GL, to reset the maximum annual take to 10,873GL (the sustainable diversion limit, or SDL).
Within this target, up to 650GL can be come from works and measures that deliver an equivalent to water saving by improving flow, and reducing wastage.
This process is called the SDL adjustment mechanism. The water it keeps in play for irrigation is downwater.
A high profile example of a SDL adjustment project to deliver downwater is NSW’s pipeline on Murray River between Wentworth to Broken Hill, taking downstream water and pumping upstream. It is designed to speed up the cycle of water through the Darling River and Menindee Lakes system, and in turn reduce evaporative water loss.
The states and MDBA must agree on the downwater projects. The MDBA will then report back to the Commonwealth, and and all going well, project funding could be distributed by the end of the year.
In the meantime, states will need to consult with communities and stakeholder groups.
