URGENT UPDATE: The Federal Water Minister Murray Watt has just announced the purchase of an additional 130 gigalitres of water from the southern basin, a move that could devastate Australia’s dairy industry. This decision is expected to significantly impact dairy farmers who rely on irrigation for their operations, both for on-farm use and for growing fodder.
As water leaves the productive pool, both water prices and competition will surge, adding to the financial strain on dairy farmers. The Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) have condemned the buyback as “taking away water from farmers.” ADF President Ben Bennett stated, “Our dairy farmers have done the heavy lifting to improve the basin’s environmental health. This announcement punishes us for those efforts.”
The implications are dire. Farmers have already surrendered extensive water rights since the millennium drought to aid river health, yet they are now being asked to endure further losses. Bennett emphasized, “Buybacks create insecurity and make food production unsustainable,” warning that future buybacks require a thorough assessment of their potential damage to farmers and rural communities.
In a pointed critique, Gunbower dairy farmer Stephen Brown expressed skepticism about the government’s ability to manage the additional water, stating, “It’s hogwash and destroying our rural communities.” He recalled a dire prediction made by his father during early discussions of the Basin Plan, which foresaw the end of irrigation as water becomes increasingly scarce. “Every megalitre of water is now like a gold bar,” Brown lamented.
The impact on Victoria is expected to be severe, as the state is a crucial player in Australia’s irrigation landscape. VFF water chair Andrew Leahy warned that this buyback would exacerbate the ongoing depletion of water resources in Victoria’s irrigation heartland. “This latest move is unforgivable,” Leahy said, highlighting that Victoria’s reliable water products are continually targeted.
Further criticism came from Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, who described the announcement as a slap in the face to farming communities. “They are now facing less water and higher costs that are not being adequately addressed,” she stated.
Goulburn Murray Water (G-MW) Chair Justin Hanney added that such buybacks undermine the long-term viability of irrigation districts and regional towns. “These non-strategic purchases create a Swiss cheese effect,” he noted, where irrigation infrastructure costs remain unchanged despite reduced water availability.
The Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Water Leadership Forum co-chair Suzanna Sheed warned that the buybacks would “significantly damage” the agriculture sector, representing a disregard for the long-term viability of food production. “This decision is a devastating blow to our irrigation communities and regional economies,” Sheed asserted.
The announcement, made earlier today in Adelaide, has ignited backlash among farmers and agricultural leaders, who are demanding a reevaluation of the buyback strategy before any further actions are taken. As the situation develops, farmers across Australia are bracing for what could be a critical turning point for their livelihoods and the future of the dairy industry.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation impacting Australia’s agricultural heartland.
