THE creation of a new Federal Government monitoring role is aimed at providing “greater accountability and strengthened integrity” in the management of Riverland water resources.
The Federal Government last month passed legislation to establish a new inspector-general of water compliance for Murray-Darling Basin irrigators.
Renmark Irrigation Trust general manager Rosalie Auricht said the legislation would provide greater transparency around the management of Riverland water resources.
“Irrigation communities within the Murray-Darling Basin who are doing the right thing by only using water that they are legally entitled to want reassurance that all water users in the Basin are doing the right thing,” Ms Auricht said.
“This legislation enables the Commonwealth to review and compare the compliance arrangements in each state within the Murray Darling Basin.
“If water take is not measured well across the Basin, it places the health of the river system and the required outcomes of MDB Plan in jeopardy.
“The Murray-Darling Basin requires very careful management.”
Barker MP Tony Pasin said the decision came from “many years of engagement” with local water users.
“The Basin’s 2.2 million rural and regional water users will now have the assurance they deserve, through stronger compliance, greater accountability and strengthened integrity around Basin water management,” Mr Pasin said.
“Communities will now have greater protection from water theft and water trading offences and all water users will be held to the same high bar through consistent guidelines and standards.”
It is understood a statutory panel – independent of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority – would also provide advice to the inspector-general.
Federal Minister for Water Keith Pitt said continued monitoring of water resources was necessary for the success of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
“This new legislation delivers on the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthen compliance and enforcement powers in the Murray–Darling Basin by creating new water theft and illegal water trading offences and penalties,” Mr Pitt said.
“The stiff penalties and criminal and civil offences regulated will create real deterrents around water theft and illegal water trading offences, providing communities the assurances they need on water management in the Basin.”
Further information regarding the inspector-general of water compliance can be found by visiting the website (www.igwc.gov.au/).