Murray-Darling inspector-general to have Mildura office

THE establishment of a Murray-Darling Basin inspector-general’s office in Mildura will make a “significant difference” in restoring faith in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to Water Resources Minister David Littleproud.

Visiting Mildura on Tuesday, Mr Littleproud said Mildura was strategically best positioned to become home to one of two offices of the Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources.

• Crisis talks in Mildura over skyrocketing water prices

The minister said the move would give the inspector-general and his staff a real connection to the communities they serve.

While in the region, Mr Littleproud also met with grape, nut, stonefruit and citrus industry leaders to discuss allegations of water market manipulation before touring the drought-stricken Millewa.

Mr Littleproud said former Australian Federal Police commissioner and acting interim inspector-general Mick Keelty had made it clear he wanted his staff “up and down the basin”.

“I’ve always said the people who operate the river should live on the river – and so should the people who police it,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Mildura, strategically, is best positioned to house his people to make sure there is accountability,” he said.

“His role is about building the trust, not just between farmers, but between states to make sure everyone is doing as they said they will and if there is somebody that has done the wrong thing they get called out.

“Like any program there are people taking short-cuts – you have got to find them and you’ve got to deal with them.

“This is why the positioning of some of his people here in Mildura will make a significant difference about rebuilding that trust.”

Mr Littleproud said the inspector-general and his support staff would engage with basin communities about plan implementation and compliance.

He said everyone needed to have confidence the plan was working and rules were being followed. Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the inspector-general’s office would help strengthen community confidence in the basin plan.

“We’ve obviously got some critical issues for our farmers and our producers locally – it’s not just water pricing, but obviously we have drought, we have seasonal workforce issues – it’s really mammoth this year,” Dr Webster said.

“I’m pleased the inspector-general will have direct contact with people in the Mallee,” she said.

“Better still, staff will live in Mildura and will have a real understanding on how the plan impacts on the wider Sunraysia region.

“They’ll take their children to the same schools, join the same football clubs, share the same community as people whose livelihoods depend on water.”

The interim inspector-general will also have a presence in the north, with an office to be established in a northern basin community.

The office of the interim inspector-general will have the power to refer any matters of alleged wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities.