South Australia’s peak environment body has called on SA Deputy Premier and Water Minister Susan Close to stand strong as Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek flags a potential deadline extension for the Murray Darling Basin Plan. 

MEDIA RELEASE
5 July 2023

South Australia’s patience running out as further Murray water delays flagged

South Australia’s peak environment body has called on SA Deputy Premier and Water Minister Susan Close to stand strong as Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek flags a potential deadline extension for the Murray Darling Basin Plan. 

“Ten years ago, South Australia was promised this water would be delivered by 2024. Everyone – upstream states, Federal Government, the Murray Darling Basin Authority, as well as the South Australian government, must do everything humanly possible to deliver on that commitment,” said Conservation SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins.

“It’s been a decade since the Basin Plan was signed into law. It’s extremely disappointing that we’ve reached this point and so little progress has been made.

“For years, Victoria and NSW have done all they can to delay water return. This game playing must be called out and stopped.

“There’s been strong consensus from all sides of politics in South Australia that delivery of this plan ‘in full and on time’ is absolutely critical.

“When Tanya Plibersek came into office, it was a welcome shift toward getting the Plan back on track.

“But through lack of action from upstream states, we’ve hit crunch time with a massive shortfall in water return and time running out. The next meeting of Murray Darling Ministers in August will therefore be crucial. 

“We’re only one summer away from another drought, so any further backsliding on the Plan could be catastrophic for Australia’s most important river system. Every day that passes without returning water to the river puts the river further at risk.

“The purchase of water by the Federal Government from willing sellers must now be firmly on the table to make up the shortfall, including for the 450GL that SA negotiated when the Plan was created,” he said.

RELEASE ENDS