MEMBER for Murray Helen Dalton unveiled a seven-step plan that she says will “finally fix the Murray-Darling Basin,” and at the same time accused government of failing to manage the river system effectively.
Ms Dalton said people’s concerns about the basin had been ignored for too long, and action needed to be taken.
“For years, Federal and state governments have failed the Murray-Darling Basin,” she said. “They’ve had their chance, and they’ve blown it.
“Now is the time for a new approach that will fix our river systems once and for all.
“My plan is simple, it’s clear, and it’s long overdue.”
Her ideas for improving the huge water catchment include better desalination, downstream water storage, water metering and quality, a ban on private wetland flooding, protecting communities from what she calls harmful water buybacks, and restoring South Australia’s lower lakes.
Ms Dalton urged those in charge of the river to implement her plan immediately.
“The Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the state and Federal governments cannot be trusted to run our rivers,” she said.
“My challenge to the major parties is to adopt this seven-point plan without delay.
“Rural communities have had enough and are barely hanging on.”
Over the next three months, Ms Dalton said she’ll will tour rural New South Wales to explain her seven-point plan.
“I won’t rest until everyone understands this plan and is calling for it to be implemented immediately,” she said.
