A SUMMIT of federal and state water ministers held at Lake Hume Resort yesterday has put back the Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s timing to 2012 by demanding more consultation among states and communities.
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The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council led by federal Water Minister Tony Burke admitted, in effect, they hadn’t done a very good job of gauging public opinion so far.
Ministers held the meeting in private and later issued a statement.
They reiterated the importance of delivering reform to secure the healthy and sustainable rivers fundamental for strong communities and food production.
With Mr Burke were Phillip Costa (NSW), Peter Walsh (Victoria), Paul Caica (South Australia) and Jon Stanhope (ACT), while Stephen Robertson (Queensland) took part via teleconference.
Their statement accepted the need for greater community involvement in the plan.
“The plan will need to properly take into account social and economic factors, including the needs of urban centres that rely on the basin,’’ they said.
Ministers want the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to release the proposed plan after the Windsor parliamentary inquiry reports on socio-economic impacts.
They called for the scientific basis and environmental benefits to be presented fully and clearly and in a way that allows for proper external analysis and scrutiny.
Ministers want the plan presented to Federal Parliament in early 2012.
They told members of the basin community committee attending the summit it was important to improve community engagement.
Also judged “important” were considering Aboriginal interests in water and achieving effective co-ordination among governments.
Ministers viewed the full Lake Hume and noted that the basin has recorded its wettest spring on record.
Editorial — page 38 Public hearings scheduled — page 30
