The Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance has welcomed significant progress on water recovery for Australia’s largest river system announced by Minister Plibersek today, while urging the Albanese government to build on their track record with a new commitment ahead of the upcoming federal election.
The call comes as parts of South Australia suffer through the driest summer in decades, reinforcing the critical importance of the Murray-Darling river system for water supply, wildlife and industries.
Kirsty Bevan, Chief Executive of the Conservation Council of SA, said:
“After one of the driest summers in decades, South Australians are acutely aware of our reliance on a healthy River Murray for our water.
“Today’s announcement signals encouraging news of water returning to rivers and restoring our wetlands and floodplains – following promises made to voters back in 2022.
“It also demonstrates that the voluntary purchase of water from willing sellers is the most effective and efficient way to return real water to the environment.
“We welcome the confirmation of the investment in SA to remove barriers that prevent water from spilling over the riverbank and into the backchannels and floodplain wetlands that are home to so much of the Murray-Darling’s fish, birds and forests.”
Craig Wilkins, National Director of the Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance, said:
“While the Albanese government has made more progress in the last few years than the previous decade under the Coalition, the current Basin Plan is due to expire in the term of the next federal government.
“We’re calling on all parties to make renewed commitments to restore the Murray-Darling Basin to health ahead of the federal election.
“Each year, only 2% of wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin receive water for the environment to keep the ecosystem alive. Nothing can survive for years and years without a decent drink.
“Even when environmental water is released, it’s mostly constrained to the river channel. Water isn’t allowed to flow over banks to the wetlands and floodplain forests that need it most.
“With the whole Basin Plan up for review next year, South Australians are rightly worried that we might see yet another case of one step forward, one step back.
“That’s why it’s so important that SA voters hear from parties this election. We want the next federal government to guarantee South Australia’s water security and the resilience of the River Murray ahead of election day.”
“A lot of South Australians might not realise that around half of Adelaide’s drinking water comes from the River Murray. The Murray-Darling Basin is the lifeblood of our state and millions of people rely on it for their health, community and livelihoods,” he said.
* The “Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance” is a national coalition focused on protecting the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers, wetlands, and wildlife. It comprises conservation councils in SA, NSW, Victoria and QLD.