An additional 130GL of voluntary buybacks in the southern connected Murray-Darling Basin was announced recently, rising from 170GL to 300GL.
One gigalitre is one billion litres, and the extra buybacks are equivalent to filling Greens Lake to capacity four times over.
The figure adds to the 1400GL already purchased under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan scheme.
Following the announcement, Mayor Daniel Mackrell and Deputy Mayor Tony Marwood met with Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and Shadow Minister for Water Ross Cadell.
The council leaders joined their Greater Shepparton and Moira Shire counterparts to voice their strong opposition to the move at the meeting, which reinforced a united stance against further buybacks.
Cr Mackrell said the decision posed a serious threat to the future of agriculture, horticulture and food security across the region.
“Every litre of water removed from farms means fewer crops, less milk and reduced output from orchards and processing plants,” he said.
“We want to know where the water is being purchased from so can we understand and prepare our local communities for potential impacts.”
Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt made the announcement at a summit in Adelaide on Wednesday, November 12.
He said the government was committed to a target of returning 450GL of water to the environment, purchased from farmers and irrigators.
Formerly the agriculture minister, Mr Watt said his political opponents had often told him to oppose buybacks to support farming when he held the portfolio.
“My view was that the best way to support the ag industry’s long-term future was to accept the scientific reality and help industry adapt to a more water efficient future,” he said at the summit.
“Sure, I could stick my head in the sand and pretend that nothing needed to change. But all that would do is condemn the (Murray-Darling) basin to environmental decline.”
Cr Marwood said water was the backbone of the Campaspe community, and that any new purchasing measures must not sacrifice residents’ livelihoods.
“Local governments are expected to manage the social and economic consequences of federal and state government decisions,” he said.
“We need to be provided with the funding and support to meet these responsibilities.”
Campaspe Shire Council is calling for robust adjustment packages from the government to safeguard jobs, support businesses and drive new opportunities for growth.
It is also requesting local governments be immediately advised on the specific locations of water buybacks to understand the loss and socio-economic impacts on industries and communities.
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