Recent water policy changes are a step in the right direction according to Dairy Connect, which says reform of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a critical priority for dairy farmers and processors.
Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt recently announced no more buybacks would be undertaken to reach water recovery targets, and that the Murray-Darling Basin Authority would be relieved of it's compliance duties.
An Inspector General of Water Compliance will be appointed to ensure transparency and independence.
The MDBA’s compliance office will be merged with the existing Interim Inspector General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources office, which is held by former Australian Police Commissioner Mick Keelty.
Dairy Connect chief executive officer Shaughn Morgan said dairy producers had welcomed the decision.
“We support the decision to restructure the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, with its compliance functions merged into the office of the Basin Independent Inspector-General, and welcome the commitment to end water buybacks,” he said.
Mr Morgan said splitting the MDBA’s roles would help restore community confidence by separating policy implementation from compliance with the basin plan’s rules.
He said the plan had failed to find the right triple bottom line balance, address unintended, unforeseen and perverse impacts affecting agriculture and the environment.
“This failure is no surprise to stakeholders who have studied the problems of the Murray-Darling Basin for decades,” he said.
“We trust Keith Pitt and his state counterparts have the desire and capacity to take the next steps to reform the basin plan in ways that benefits all stakeholders and fairly resolves conflicts.”