17 June 2008

CSIRO REPORT: ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE

Yesterday CSIRO released results for the Murrumbidgee region from their Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Yields project, funded by the National Water Commission. The report stemmed from the Murray-Darling Basin Water summit, convened by the Prime Minister on 7 November 2006, where it was agreed to;

Commission the CSIRO to report progressively by the end of 2007 on sustainable yields of surface and groundwater systems within the Murray-Darling Basin, including an examination of assumptions about sustainable yields in light of changes in climate and other issues.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) is a private company supplying water to around 3,000 customers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) of NSW and represents around half the total water entitlements in the Murrumbidgee Valley. MI Chairman, Dick Thompson welcomed the contribution from CSIRO and reinforced that the report is not a recommendation on what the sustainable yield of the Valley should be, but rather served to inform what will ultimately be a decision of Government in determining the long-term balance between the ecological needs of the river and food production.

"We have yet to go through the full report and as such cannot comment on the detail. However, what is important is that the Commonwealth consider the report as part of suite of information that will include additional potential social, economic and environmental impact studies," said Mr Thompson.

It is also vital that prior to any decision of Government being made, there is an opportunity to go through the detail of the report with CSIRO and the Commonwealth. Mr Thompson advised that "we need to ensure we're comparing apples with apples in relation to the information contained within the report. Already we have seen various interpretations in the media including the statement that 53% of surface water in the Murrumbidgee is 'under development'. This figure includes additional flows from the Snowy scheme that are not part of the natural inflows of the catchment. When taken out of the equation, as they should be, only approximately 44% of surface water is used."

The other critical element is how Government intends to reach any new 'sustainable' level. Mr Thompson further advised that "it was always envisaged that the cornerstones of Government action in returning water to the environment was through purchase from willing sellers and water savings projects. Provided these solutions together with others that improve environmental outcomes at least cost to communities such as our RiverReach initiative, are employed over the next decade then we have a chance of getting the balance right."

Mr Thompson also reminded the Commonwealth that with world end-stocks of key staples at record lows, careful consideration must be given to the right long-term balance.

Ends

For further information regarding this media release, please contact Dick Thompson, Chairman Murrumbidgee Irrigation on 02 6962 0200.