Government attacks concern irrigators

Farmers are concerned that the NWA process is being rushed, possibly to have it finalised before the upcoming federal election.

The NWA follows hot on the heels of proposed massive increases to the cost of water through the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

NSW Irrigators CEO Claire Miller says this proposal could increase the cost of water to grow food and fibre by as much as 245 per cent over the next five years.

In relation to the NWA, the Murray Regional Strategy Group, a coalition of farming and community organisations from the NSW Murray Valley, believes federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is trying to rush through its signing without scrutiny.

It is urging the NSW Government to protect property rights of food and fibre producers, amid concerns of further impacts on their viability.

MRSG has written to NSW Premier Chris Minns and Water Minister Rose Jackson, imploring them not to sign the NWA in its current form.

In the letter, MRSG chair Geoff Moar said the NWA would “undermine the property rights of food and fibre producers in NSW”, adding “it is the role of the NSW Government to protect the property and water rights of those you represent”.

Mr Moar said his Group has significant concern about the NWA’s full cost recovery model, which will exacerbate the significant increase in the cost to growers, who are already facing a massive increase in fees and charges through the IPART review, which equates to more than $23 million annually leaving our region.

“This is unsustainable and will undermine the viability of agriculture for the NSW Murray Valley and further increase the cost of living for all Australians.

“In effect, full cost recovery under the NWA would see farmers slugged with the cost of implementing ideological changes to water management and policy,” Mr Moar said.

He said Australians need to be more aware of adverse impact from government policy on farmers, and the way this is increasing the cost of food at the supermarket.

“A raft of decisions by the federal government over recent years is reducing the ability of our farmers to grow food, and one of the consequences is ongoing increases in price. At a time when we need to grow more food for an increasing population, we have policy settings that are doing the opposite.

“The NWA being rushed through by Water Minister Plibersek is the latest example,” Mr Moar said.

He said MRSG has previously invited Ms Plibersek to the NSW Murray to try and improve her understanding of water management and policy and highlight the importance of farmers to the national economy. However, invitations have been ignored.

“We have also attempted to follow departmental processes to communicate our concerns and outline solutions through the ‘Have A Say’ submissions, but this is not working. The bureaucratic process is diluting our messages around the flaws in water management and policy, and we do not believe these are reaching the Minister.

“We are now relying on the NSW Government to reject the NWA in its current form and work with organisations like MRSG to ensure the right policy settings are made to protect the future of farmers, our communities and the broader nation.

“It is imperative that Premier Minns and Water Minister Jackson put the interests of NSW first, and this includes protecting property rights so farmers remain viable,” Mr Moar said.