MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper is imploring the NSW Government to accept every recommendation made by the Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting.
“In the end it’s about fairness – irrigators in my electorate by-and-large are doing the right thing, now it’s time for New South Wales irrigators to follow suit,” Ms Cupper said.
Twenty-five recommendations were made in this week’s Floodplain Harvesting report, with the Committee making 14 crucial findings.
“The overwhelming consensus within the report is that while floodplain harvesting is legal, the lack of enforcement and compliance in upper NSW is devastating for downstream river communities,” Ms Cupper said.
“Something must be done, and this report contains the compelling testimony and evidence needed to show the NSW Government that things need to change.”
289 formal submissions were made to the inquiry, including a submission by Ms Cupper.
The resulting 25 recommendations respond to numerous economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts floodplain harvesting currently causes.
“Among the suggestions is the inclusion of a ‘no meter, no pump’ rule in New South Wales, and the decommissioning or removal of unlawful structures,” Ms Cupper said.
“One of the biggest problems with the practice of floodplain harvesting right now is the lack of data on how much water is being taken, and the report’s recommendations speak to that.
“Increasing the provision of river gauges in New South Wales will lead to real-time accurate monitoring of surface water levels, allowing the Government to sufficiently assess the cumulative impacts of floodplain harvesting, and identify any unlawful water take.”
Other recommendations include the establishment of an independent oversight panel, an annual audit of the Sustainable Diversion Limit, and prioritising regular and genuine involvement of First Nations people in the management of floodplain harvesting.
“If floodplain harvesting is to continue in a legal fashion it needs to have the public’s confidence, and I believe the recommendations will go a long way towards achieving that goal,” Ms Cupper said.
The NSW Government is required to respond to the recommendations within six months.
