The proposal has been criticised by farm groups and water bodies who are concerned the designation could complicate the work of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
The NSW Irrigators’ Council described the move as premature, counterproductive and potentially unnecessary to enhance the protection and recovery of this ecological community.
“We are extremely concerned that this proposed Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation listing would grind to halt non-purchase water recovery options, and adaptation to basin plan impacts, compounding the negative impacts on communities,” NSW Irrigators’ Council said in a submission.
“This unintended and perverse outcome would be unacceptable.”
The NFF rejected the need for this nomination.
“The river and its environs are highly developed landscapes that are tightly governed under state and federal law related to the Water Act 2007 and its subordinate Murray-Darling Basin Plan, the implementation of which has seen significant and ongoing investment in the acquisition and utilisation of significant quantities of environmental water,” the NFF said in its submission.
“This mechanism, as well as an ongoing unmet need to specifically and directly address European carp, is the most logical pathway forward.”
NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller said if an EPBC listing was still needed after 12 years and $13 billion, then that’s an admission the Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s singular focus on water recovery alone has failed to improve the health of our rivers.
“This rather flies in the face of the South Australian Government’s own recent media release boasting about the plan’s success,” Ms Miller said.
“The fact is, an EPBC listing is unnecessary. It will only slow down the plan’s implementation, adding costs and delays to non-purchase water recovery projects as well as community and farm adjustment to the impacts of water recovery.
“This will compound the negative impacts on communities. This unintended and perverse outcome would be unacceptable.
“EPBC listing also risks prioritising funding and resources into South Australia at the expense of ecosystems and communities upstream.
“It is not an fair or equitable approach to water management, unless the Commonwealth’s objective is more votes in Adelaide.”
Under the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee must invite comments on whether or not a nominated ecological community which has been prioritised for assessment is eligible for listing, and under which threat category.
Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek will ultimately make a decision on the application after the federal department finalises its advice this month.
For more, go to: MacquarieMarshes_Draft_Conservation_Advice.pdf
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