Max Finlayson and Lee Baumgartner write in The Conversation (30.6.17) about a recent report arguing that more water is needed to resurrect the health of the Murray-Darling Basin system. The authors point out, though, that simply increasing river flow alone could actually harm the Basin.
‘After a long and contentious public debate, in 2012 Australia embarked on a significant and expensive water recovery program to restore the Murray-Darling Basin’s ecosystems.
‘Despite general agreement that a certain amount of water should be reserved to restore the flagging river system, the argument continues as to whether this should be 2,750 or 3,200 gigalitres (GL) a year, and how these savings can be achieved.
‘A recent report by the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists argues that there is no conclusive evidence, after five years, that the plan is effective. The report’s authors believe that an extra 450GL of water a year needs to be recovered to save the basin.
‘There is no doubt in our minds that the Murray-Darling river system is in crisis, and the Basin Plan was vitally needed. But while we broadly agree with the Wentworth Group’s report, it’s a mistake to focus on water volume alone.
‘Without giving equal attention to improving water quality and building critical ecological infrastructure, it’s possible that increasing river flows could actually harm the Basin.’
- We need more than just extra water to save the Murray-Darling Basin »
- Is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan broken? »
- ‘Tax returns for water’: satellite-audited statements can save the Murray-Darling »
- ‘Just add water’: myths about the Murray-Darling basin »
- Trickle out effect: drying up money and water in the Lower Darling »
- Row erupts over ‘undermining’ of Murray-Darling plan »
- It’s official: expert review rejects NSW plan to let seawater flow into the Murray River »
- The mystery of the Murray-Darling’s vanishing flows »
- Recovering water for the environment in the Murray-Darling: farm upgrades increase water prices more than buybacks »
- Murray-Darling basin: scientists warn end to water buybacks will be a disaster for the river »
- Morrison government plan to scrap water buybacks will hurt taxpayers and the environment »
- Climate change is warping our fresh water cycle – and much faster than we thought »
- Australia’s water tragedy has urgent lessons for America
- Murray-Darling water buybacks won’t be enough if we can’t get water to where it’s needed
- Government strikes Murray-Darling Basin deal with Greens
Deal on Murray Darling Basin Plan could make history for Indigenous water rights
Sue Jackson writes in The Conversation (10.5.18) about how Indigenous water rights have been overlooked in Australia for a very long time. The author suggests a bipartisan agreement on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan might change that.
‘On Monday night the Labor Party agreed to a federal government policy package intended to ensure the survival of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
‘The proposed amendments to the plan, and the complex technical details of water allocation, have been heavily scrutinised as a politically intriguing development in the long-standing contest between allocating water for the environment or for irrigation.
‘What is less appreciated is that, if implemented, the bipartisan commitment may do more to advance the water rights of Aboriginal peoples in the Murray-Darling Basin than any other government initiative in the history of the region.
‘… These social justice measures are long overdue. Aboriginal rights are a blind spot in the country’s water governance arrangements and in its broader relationship with Indigenous peoples.’
- Deal on Murray Darling Basin Plan could make history for Indigenous water rights »
- ‘It’s our lifeblood’: the Murray-Darling and the fight for Indigenous water rights »
- Government rejected several offers on water rights before reaching $80m deal »
- Australia has an ugly legacy of denying water rights to Aboriginal people. Not much has changed »
- Traditional owners say missing out on rare opportunity to access water rights is a step backwards »
- Traditional owners in Murray-Darling Basin take fight for water rights to governments »
- Murray-Darling Basin: First Nations people dispossessed of water »
- Water injustice runs deep in Australia. Fixing it means handing control to First Nations »
- ‘Betrayal’: First Nations warning to government over water fund pledge »
- Victoria just gave 2 billion litres of water back to Indigenous people. Here’s what that means for the rest of Australia »
- Robber barons and high-speed traders dominate Australia’s water market »
- Terra nullius has been overturned. Now we must reverse aqua nullius and return water rights to First Nations people »
- More environmental water under Murray-Darling Basin Plan welcomed, but Indigenous group wants to be heard »
- Labor’s new Murray-Darling Basin Plan deal entrenches water injustice for First Nations
- Lawyers, academics call for Murray-Darling Basin Plan to acknowledge, safeguard First Nations’ water rights