Ricegrowers' urge a fresh look at the Basin Plan

Ricegrowers' Association of Australia president Jeremy Morton said the re-election of the Coalition would give clear air to both the Federal Government and Basin states to have a fresh look at the Plan.

"I think it's time for a bit of a discussion about further implementation of the Plan and to take on board what we've learned, over the past six or seven years," Mr Morton said.

"There have been a number of recommendations, from the Productivity Commission and others, about ways to improve the Plan's implementation.

"I think we have a bit of clear air, at least for a couple of years, before any of the Basin governments start thinking about elections."

That gave a unique opportunity to make sure the rest of the implementation of the Plan was the best it could be.

He said a key question was the future of the Menindee Lakes.

"To get those fixed flow targets to the South Australian border, they need to rip a heap of water out of Menindee - how the hell are they going to get all that water out of Menindee, but leave it full, at the same time?"

He repeated a call for a redirection of the $1.77billion, associated with the 450Gigalitres of environmental upwater, to a complementary measures program, to "supercharge" Murray-Darling Basin Plan outcomes.

Complementary Measures which Basin Water Ministers agreed to consider in 2016 include,

- The installation of fishways and fish diversion screens

- Carp management activities including release of the carp herpes virus

- Investments and infrastructure to manage cold water pollution, and

- Habitat restoration and riparian management activities.

"Complementary measures significantly enhance the environmental outcomes for fish, birds and vegetation while reducing the impact of feral species like European Carp and the incidence of blue green algae outbreaks," Mr Morton said. .

" It's an absolute no brainer."

The intent of the 450GL was to force huge volumes of water down the rivers, including doubling the releases from the Menindee Lakes where a million fish died earlier this year.

Mr Morton said proceeding with the 450GL dramatically increased the chances of this tragic event occurring more regularly.

"The Murray, Murrumbidgee and Goulburn Rivers are already bursting at the seams with increased flows, causing huge negative environmental impacts even before the 450GL is recovered," Mr Morton said.

"When we see what is happening in our rivers, including the Darling, how can anyone in their right mind possibly think that proceeding with the 450GL makes sense in any way, shape or form?" Mr. Morton said

Southern Riverina Irrigators chair, Barooga mixed farmer, Chris Brooks said his group would continue to press Farrer NSW Liberal MP Sussan Ley to keep her promises.

Ms Ley said one of her first priorities was to ensure southern Riverina irrigators received a water allocation in coming months.

Mr Brooks said it was disappointing the independent Voices for Farrer candidate, Albury mayor, Kevin Mack didn't win but irrigators would be happy with any improvements.

"We can only hope and pray the coalition, at least, got the message people aren't happy with the water situation," Mr Brooks said.

Deniliquin based lobby group, Speak Up, said the re-election of Ms Ley presented a fresh opportunity for improved water policy and management.

Spokeswoman Linda Fawns, Saber Poll Dorsets, Deniliquin, said there was a sense of relief in the community when the Morrison Government was returned to office.

It was now time to work towards solutions, that supported rural communities.

"We need the new Government to work closely with our communities to develop solutions we know exist."

She said Speak Up had a positive meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Ms Ley just before the election was called, at which Mr Morrison showed empathy to regions suffering from flaws in the Basin Plan.

"He was unaware of many issues and had a genuine desire to work with us to improve water management and at the same time shore up the foundation on which our communities have been built.

"Over this term of the Morrison Government we need to take giant strides to rectify damage that has been caused by policy failures," Mrs Fawns said.

Northern Victorian Irrigation Communities spokesman Nathalia's Nick James said the return of the Coalition Government was a bonus.

Irrigators had real concerns about the possibility of Labor's plans to ensure more water for the Murray Darling Basin by guaranteeing delivery of the 450GL and removing the cap on buybacks.

"It takes the fear out of it, although I don't know how (Opposition Water spokesman) Tony Burke would have gone getting all the states to agreed to it,"Mr James said.

"I hope they can right a few of the wrongs.

"The Murray Darling Basin Authority needs to be stripped apart and a more common sense look taken at it."

He said a future government should look at transmission losses, in water being pushed down to South Australia.

"I think we have the right government in charge, to take us in the right direction, so we are not going to get any further behind."