Letter to Minister – Ban floodplain water take

Healthy Rivers Dubbo has written to NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson asking her to immediately ban the highly contentious form of irrigation – floodplain harvesting.

Startling revelations in NSW parliament from the Natural Resources Access Regulator CEO Grant Barnes have thrown into serious question the suitability of the law to stop water theft.

BACKGROUND:

Hansard – NSW Budget Estimates Wednesday 19th August from page 42

ABC NSW Country Hour with Dr Emma Carmody Wednesday 26th August, first story

Media Release Healthy Rivers Dubbo – Ban Floodplain Harvesting Now

Re: Ban Floodplain Harvesting 

Dear Minister Jackson, 

Healthy Rivers Dubbo is a long established grassroots community group providing a strong voice for the rivers and communities of inland NSW. We are writing to you today to ask you to immediately ban the practice of floodplain harvesting water.

It is clear that the Natural Resource Access Regulator is unable to confidently enforce floodplain harvesting regulations following the outcome of two recent court cases. 

Could the Minister please explain how you can uphold your duty under section 9 of the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), while the current regulatory system is not capable of effectively preventing unlawful or improper water take? 

The significant growth in floodplain harvesting in inland NSW has been identified in many reports as a dominant factor in the mass fish kills at Menindee Lakes, and the sharp decline in wetland health and waterbird populations. The downstream cumulative cultural, environmental and social impact of floodplain harvesting has never been assessed.     

Floodplain harvesting management rules and licencing in NSW is extremely contentious, having been disallowed several times in the NSW Legislative Council including while you were the NSW shadow water minister.

The continuation of floodplain harvesting undermines confidence in the rule of law and in the State’s ability to protect public water resources. 

We look forward to your response. 

Regards, 

The Healthy Rivers Dubbo Committee.