NSW Greens Regional Water spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham today introduced a motion bringing the NSW Parliament's attention to the current dire state of the Lower Darling River and called for urgent action.
The NSW Government wrote to grazier Rob McBride promising that it would install two block banks on the lower Darling River. The letter states "...the NSW Government will fund the construction of an additional two block banks on the Darling River between Menindee and Pooncarie".
No block banks have been installed, despite a looming water shortage.
Mr Buckingham said, "The Darling River is expected to stop flowing by the end of the year yet the Liberal/National Government has failed to act and protect landholders in the Lower Darling from this water crisis.
"The Government is burying its head in the sand when it comes to solving the emerging water shortage faced by landholders along the Lower Darling River, particularly farming communities between Pooncarrie and Menindee who depend on its waters for their livelihood.
"The Government wrote and promised the McBride family of Tolarno station that it would install two block banks as a way of storing emergency water supplies. Yet there has been no sense of urgency and no construction started on the project.
"The Liberal/Nationals were not prepared for the drought now gripping our entire state and they are irresponsible managers of our river resources. The current situation where the Nationals are responsible for water policy in NSW is like placing the fox in charge of the henhouse. The Nationals are more interested in delivering for their big irrigator mates and donors ahead of the best interests of the community.
"It's past time the NSW Government installed the block banks on the Darling River and ensured all relevant agencies are notified and coordinated. They also need a comprehensive, effective plan for enhancing the health of the Darling River and securing water for future farm and environmental use," he said
27 September 2018
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