On October 7, a letter from 13 environmental groups, representing a broad range of interests in the environment, health, communities and economics of the Murray-Darling Basin, was hand delivered to Craig Knowles, Chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority in Goolwa.
"We are deeply concerned that the figure of 2800 GL appears to have been driven by a range of factors apart from best available science, such as system constraints, and socio-economic analyses, that have been deployed at a range of decision points during the hydrologic modelling process," wrote the group.
"It is our understanding that the Draft Plan will be released mid-November," said Professor Diane Bell, Chair of the Water Committee at the Conservation Council SA. "So, we asked our questions as a matter of some urgency. When was the 2800 figure adopted? On what basis? We need to see the independent peer review of the current hydrological modelling and it needs to be made public."
The group stated a Plan that left much of the Basin in poor to moderate health was unacceptable and a high risk strategy for the future health of the river, communities and the economy.
"Any trade-offs based upon system constraints, socio-economic data or local knowledge should occur after the environmentally sustainable level of take has been decided and these should be made explicit, as should the impacts of those trade-offs on environmental outcomes," the group stated.
"We have asked for a list of these 'constraints'," said Professor Bell. "And we would welcome the opportunity to engage in some creative thinking with the MDBA about how we might make wise use of the billions of dollars in the Authority budget, to deliver sustainable diversion limits and sustainable socio-economic outcomes."
Signatories to the letter are Environment Victoria, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Wilderness Society (Sydney), Queensland Conservation Council, Darling River Action Group, Friends of the Earth, River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group, Conservation Council of South Australia, National Parks Association NSW, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Inland Rivers Network, Environmental Farmers Network, Environmental Defenders Office (Victoria)
View the Letter to Craig Knowles here
Release Ends
For further information on the Blueprint for a Sustainable Future go to:
http://www.conservationsa.org.au/blueprint.html
For additional media information or to arrange an interview please contact
Professor Diane Bell on 0427 554 194 or Noriko Wynn, Policy and Communications Officer on 0411 028 930
