Alarm bells should be ringing with Victorian Murray Darling Basin storages lapping at 70 per cent capacity.
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And it is only May, with a winter of rainfall ahead.
Storages, once constructed for irrigation and flood mitigation, are holding large volumes of environmental water and unused entitlements.
A standout is Eppalock, on the Campaspe, at 90 per cent full.
A decent prolonged rain would see it spill again, as the irrigation season has just about come to an end. A half decent rain in the Murray system could make last year’s flood look like a garden party.
Many irrigators have not used their water allocations this season and have opted to “park it” in storage. Some are planning to park water for several years.
Water in storage, it is argued, is better than money in the bank, however, extensive flood damage risks may outweigh any individual benefits.
Talk of increasing storage capacity or the building of new dams causes heated debate however one more year of decent rainfall and the situation will be out of hand.
EMOTION
The monumental issues around the performance of dairy giant Murray Goulburn and its suppliers and staff has reached new heights of emotion since the announcement that several factories would be decommissioned.
Just how Mr Andrews would manage to keep a factory working without sufficient milk needs exploring.
- David Everist
Now, Victorian premier Andrews has waded into the fray reportedly saying he was prepared to help the company ensure ongoing employment in the industry.
He took a swipe at the company, saying they had let farmers and their workers down.
Just how Mr Andrews would manage to keep a factory working without sufficient milk needs exploring. Probably as fanciful as his statement around a Gippsland-based sawmill.
It is worth considering that many of those working in the manufacturing sector of the industry had a take home pay greater than many dairy farm suppliers’ annual profit.
Years ago it was reported that a section of staff at the Rochester factory had gross salaries in excess of $100,000.
Anyone doubting the need for a supplier owned cooperative just needs to look at the actions of New Zealand-based Fonterra that has followed every MG move. Sadly, Murray Goulburn has lost supply in the Murray and Goulburn Valleys and they need to service a multi-million dollar cheese manufacturing facility at Cobram. That is why milk supplied to Kiewa is needed.
