After meeting with government representatives in Canberra last week, Moira Shire Council Administrator Suzanna Sheed AM and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Morgan were shocked to see the announcement on 4 July 2024 by Minister Plibersek of voluntary water buy backs and the inclusion of our region in the first tender process set to be released on 15 July 2024.
Moira Shire Council has written to the Prime Minister and all members of the Federal Cabinet, calling on them to remove our district from the upcoming water buy back process.
Administrator Sheed stated that "the announcement of voluntary buy backs for 70GL of water, followed by two further expression of interest processes to recover a total of 450GL, will potentially have devastating impacts for our community."
The Victorian Government released a prospectus in May titled 'Planning our Basin Future Together' which poses an alternative approach to water recovery as opposed to voluntary water buy backs, which have proven to have long lasting socioeconomic impacts on rural communities.
Mr Morgan added that "the impacts will be huge, and we are asking the decision makers to work with us in achieving sustainable water recovery for the environment, without breaking our local industries and our economy."
"If voluntary buy backs go ahead, it will mean loss of jobs and potentially the loss of industry such as dairy within our district, possibly up to 10% of our regional workforce," said Mr Morgan.
"We have invited the Prime Minister, Minister Plibersek and other cabinet members to come to our community and understand what is really at risk with the proposed voluntary water buy backs. We are wanting to work with both the Federal and State governments and water management authorities on how to reach the targets set, without devastating our industry, our economy and our community. There is a better plan proposed by the Victorian Government, and we seek commitment from all parties for a sustainable approach to water recovery,' concluded Administrator Sheed.
Letter to the Hon Anthony Albanese MP(PDF, 237KB)
