Submission to the Standing Committee on Regional Australia
Inquiry into the socio-economic impact of the Proposed Murray-Darling Basin Authority's 'Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan'
Friday, 17 December 2010
A strong Basin Plan that sets sustainable diversion limits that will restore environmental health is essential to the long term future of both the ecological and the human communities of the Murray-Darling Basin. Anything less will be judged inadequate by future generations.
In this submission, we comment especially on the following Terms of Reference for the Committee’s Inquiry:
- The direct and indirect impact of the Proposed Basin Plan on regional communities, including agricultural industries, local business activity and community wellbeing;
- Options for water-saving measures or water return on a region-by-region basis with consideration given to an analysis of actual usage versus licence entitlement over the preceding fifteen years
- The role of governments, the agricultural industry and the research sector in developing and delivering infrastructure and technologies aimed at supporting water efficiency within the Murray-Darling Basin.
- Opportunities for economic growth and diversification within regional communities; but throughout the submission make contribution to the entire suite of TOR.
As well as the connections between river health, community prosperity and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, as well as a range of socio-economic issues / key areas for which we make a series of recommendations.
Download the submission here
more resources
We’ve pulled together a quick analysis of the Plan and what it means for Victoria’s northern rivers, our native fish and our beautiful ancient river red gums. Check out our snap shot here
Our media release... Murray Darling Basin Plan already a gamble for Victoria’s environment. Have a squizz
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