Indigo Council wants to spend almost $5000 per year on membership to the Murray Darling Association so the organisation can help stop water mining in the municipality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A report to be presented to councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting has recommended joining as a member for 2018-19.
Cr Bernard Gaffney has also put forward a motion, to be presented at the MDA’s national conference, which would change Victoria’s laws and make it harder to obtain water extraction licences.
A report from the council’s environment and infrastructure services coordinator Jill Croome said the MDA could give the council a voice at a national level.
“The key implication of MDA membership will be an avenue for lobbying and advocacy on water issues that are important to our community,” she said.
“It is apparent that extraction of groundwater is a significant concern to some communities within Indigo Shire and there are resultant impacts to agriculture and therefore economic development, as well as the environment.”
The cost of a membership is $4810 per year.
Albury, Wodonga, Federation, Snowy Monaro and Greater Hume councils are also members.
Cr Gaffney has suggested the MDA support a change in law to make the minister consult with councils and consider how water mining would impact communities, before granting or refusing licences.
His motion would mean a decision would have to take in account how the removal of groundwater would affect horticulture and agriculture, other bores used for domestic and stock purposes, water use in nearby towns, the environment, and inflows to reservoirs required for domestic uses.
Tuesday’s meeting will be held at the council chambers in Beechworth from 6.30pm.
