THE TRUTH BEHIND BARREN BOX

5 May 2005

The proposed Barren Box storage and wetland development promises significant water savings that will benefit irrigators in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area as well as improved environmental conditions throughout the Murrumbidgee Valley.

The proposal has been declared a State Significant Project with costs estimated at $30 million.

“Barren Box is a complex development of a magnitude that has not be attempted since irrigation was established in 1912,” said Dick Thompson, Chairman of Murrumbidgee Irrigation. “As the guardian of this project we have taken every possible step to ensure the project details have been carefully researched and each described impact assessed thoroughly.

Completing the negotiations for Barren Box has been a lengthy and drawn-out process. I can certainly understand the frustration that some parties are experiencing in moving the project forward, however, the development is too important to risk an error.”

The Environmental Impact Statement is currently with the Ministers office awaiting sign-off.

“Craig Knowles, Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, and Ian Macdonald, Minister for Agriculture have been extremely cooperative throughout this entire process. It is certainly true that there have been delays and we would have liked the project to be underway, however a project of this nature cannot be compromised and we simply have to wait until negotiations with all involved parties are completed,” continued Mr Thompson. “Having said that I expect to receive approval from the Minister in the next week or so.”

“The extended drought conditions have placed pressure on all irrigators. In a climate where there is simply not enough water to meet the needs of all parties any negotiation over water has the potential to become explosive.

The fact is that the Barren Box development will benefit all irrigators by enabling better water management particularly for off allocation events, water savings through reduced evaporation and the ability to access water stored in the swamp as well as improved water quality. Contrary to the belief of some irrigators, it is those at the end of the system who will benefit the most,” continued Mr Thompson.

“Even in this year of extremely low allocation Wah Wah have been the real winners having received 10% of their entitlement in off allocation events even though the Company has only taken 5%. Some irrigators in the Wah Wah district received up to 30% of their entitlement in off allocation.

With three consecutive years of extremely low allocation the notion of “fair and equitable” may seem a nonsense. However, I think reasonable irrigators would be disappointed that those who have received “a little luck” could consider complaining and denigrating the system that made their luck possible.