Media Release
31 January 2019
Moment of truth for Murray
The SA Murray Royal Commission findings must not be buried, and instead be used to drive a major overhaul of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, says the state’s peak environment body.
The Royal Commission final report was publicly released by the Premier today.
“The recent series of fish kills along the Darling are truly horrifying,” said Chief Executive of Conservation SA, Craig Wilkins.
“The Murray Darling Basin Plan, and the $13b taxpayer investment in it, was originally intended to prevent catastrophes such as this.
“There could not be any starker evidence that the Plan is failing to deliver what has been promised.
“The Royal Commissioner has detailed clear findings about how it has fallen well short of community expectations,” he said.
The Royal Commission Report closely follows the release of the Productivity Commission
5-year review into the Plan, which was released late on Friday. The Productivity Commission points to significant failures in the current institutional and governance arrangements, a lack of transparency and candour, and raises huge doubts about the delivery of any more real water back to the River.
“At the end of the day it comes down to water. Too much has been stripped away to irrigate mega-farms upstream.
“Mother nature doesn’t listen to Government spin. The amount of water returned to the River must be urgently increased, or further catastrophic damage to the ecological health of the River will occur.
“No matter the politics of the Royal Commission, the Commissioner’s findings alongside the findings of the Productivity Commission 5-year review need to be read by every single South Australian State and Federal MP and, more importantly, urgently acted upon.
“The future of our greatest River system, and the countless people, birds, fish and trees that call it home, depends on it,” he said.
A public meeting on both Commissions’ findings will be held on Tuesday 12 February at The Joinery (11 Franklin Street, Adelaide). Details here
RELEASE ENDS
Media comment: Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive – 0417 879 439