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6 November 2007 (later release 7/11/07) NO SECRET WATER DEALS In response to news stories run over the weekend particularly in Melbourne media, Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) refutes the claims that secret water deals were done between NSW rice growers and Snowy Hydro Limited in the 2005/06 season. "The media claim that there were secret water sales done between Snowy Hydro and NSW irrigators, particularly in the Murrumbidgee region are simply rubbish!" responded MI Chairman, Dick Thompson. "The initiative between Snowy Hydro and Murrumbidgee irrigators was based on changes to the timing of the release of water. There was no water either sold or purchased and the contract to secure additional timely releases for both large and small irrigators in our region was made public via a media release from MI on the 12 September 2005. A cursory glance at the publicly available information on our website would reveal the MI media release entitled 'More advance water for irrigators'." The September 2005 media release provides the background to the water advance initiative which played a major role in maintaining some production and underpinning value-adding of irrigated produce during the fourth successive season of substantially lower than average crop yield. The initiative provided additional water for a range of crops including rice and other produce so that local jobs could be maintained for the 2005/06 season with the hope of surviving for improved seasons ahead. "Comments from John Kelly and Max Talbot are both inaccurate and inflammatory" said Mr Thompson. "To say there is 'virtually zero' water left in Lake Eucumbene and Jindabyne Dam rather than 800 gigalitres had these initiatives not been put in place is completely wrong. In fact there is around 700 gigalitres in Snowy storages at the moment. Messer's Talbot and Kelly seem to think there is something wrong with people making commercial arrangements and that water should be stored with a 'never to be released' label. What they don't mention is the contribution of irrigation to our economy, communities and environment," continued Mr Thompson. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics latest figures, the area of crops and pastures irrigated in 2004/05 was less than 1% of total agricultural land holdings yet irrigated agriculture represented around 28% of the gross value of agricultural production. This creates employment on farm and through associated manufacturing and processing industries and substantially contributes to the food put on every Australian's plate, every day. Mr Thompson further said "They also haven't talked about the contribution of irrigation to the environment. In the case of MI, the recent redevelopment of our region's natural drainage site, Barren Box Storage and Wetland, has resulted in the annual return of 20,000 ML to the Snowy River and the return of 1,650 ha in the MIA to its natural ephemeral wetland state. The project has been recognised as one of our countries most leading-edge and innovative water-savings initiatives, benefitting both the environment and communities in the Snowy River and MIA regions." "It's disappointing that Messer's Talbot and Kelly did not see fit to mention these relevant issues regarding irrigation. They have obviously missed the last 10 years of water reform and apparently don't understand today's Snowy Hydro business or irrigation. In future they should get their facts right before taking their story to the media," concluded Mr Thompson. Ends
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