There has been heavy rain and even flooding in northern South Australia and parts of western Victoria. But irrigators upstream in the New South Wales Murray Valley are running out of water and what little remains is stagnant and becoming contaminated.
Right now about 1,000 farmers in this region are out of water and sheep are dying as farm dams empty.
This is the first year since the late 1930s, when the irrigation channels were first dug, that there has been no water for stock. Photograph taken by John Lolicato, Wakool, Murray Valley, January 2007.
These farmers began the season with a zero water allocation. This means they knew they would get no water from the licenses they held; from the entitlements they owned.
Many were hoping to get through the season with water saved from the year before, while others purchased water at considerable expense as a temporary trade to keep their stock alive.
Then just before Christmas they had 52 percent of this carry-over or newly purchased water taken off them by the New South Wales government.
Most farms within the Murray Irrigation boundaries are now facing the prospect of no ‘stock and domestic’ water for the first time since the beginning of irrigation in the region in the late 1930s.
Many irrigators in the Murray Valley claim the decision to take their water was unjustified as there is still water in the dams at the top of the catchment, in the Snowy scheme, but governments have been saving this for electricity generation and for Adelaide.
Instead of providing the farmers with stock and dometic water, the New South Wales government has in effect offered them $20 million dollars in compensation with any single farmer eligible for up to $50,000. Government has said that the water it has taken will be re-credited as soon as there is sufficient rainfall and that the $20 million is not compensation, but rather “extraordinary assistance”.
Why didn’t government buy the water, rather than just taking it, in the first place?
Perhaps because State governments are used to just taking water. Indeed across Australia a majority of irrigators often pay for water they never receive as they are locked into a system whereby 60 percent of their water entitlement is as a fixed charge, payable whether or not the water is provided.
Governments justify this arrangement on the basis they have to manage the water infrastructure whether or not there is a drought. In effect, state run water monopolies are saying, farmers should plan for drought, while we, government, are incapable of the same.
The $20 million payment smacks to me of a bribe in advance of the upcoming New South Wales state election.
ABC Online has suggested the $20 million was promised to avert the possibility of legal action by irrigators.
Normally state governments decide at the beginning of the season how much water they have in dams, likely inflows, and how much they can allocate for irrigation and other uses.
The decision by the New South Wales government to take water from irrigators during the season is unprecedented.
The $20 million Extraordinary Assistance Program for Murray and Murrumbidgee irrigators has been welcomed by the NSW Irrigators Council while the Council has noted that irrigators actually lost $57million in water late last year.
Many farmers would just like some water and all the New South Wales government needs to do is let it out of the Snowy Scheme. This would reduce the amount of water in reserve, but why deny farmers access to stock and domestic water now? There is an immediate need, and now is the time to act.
Photograph taken by John Lolicato, Wakool, Murray Valley, January 2007.
Where is Peta on this one? Photograph taken by John Lolicato, Wakool, Murray Valley, January 2007.
Promoting Products to Preserve our Creeks and Rivers - Free Water!
Water Harvesting Rain Catching
A new innovative product.
"Rain Catchers Water Harvester" can be placed in any open area to catch and contain rainwater.
Sounds easy? It is made from existing proven Australia products, its light weight, portable and able to contain large amounts of rainwater, and can easily moved or stored.
Australia is in crisis, our soil is damaged, and our dams are dry. A lot of water is wasted, and rain isn't falling in the most desperately needed areas. Following weather patterns rainfall can be tracked, we believe this capacity can help people on the land.
Only 3% of the worlds rain fall is caught and contained, with our products we can increase that percentage significantly. Capturing drinkable fresh water, before becoming storm water is a great idea.
Due to the limited supply of water, people and plants have a significant demand for an increasingly scarce resource. The products I am promoting are called Rain Catchers. These products come in various sizes and have various applications.
Australia is the driest continent on the planet, it is critical for our survival that efficient and effective water strategies are put in place. These strategies must be able to store water efficiently and promote effective use of this water. However over most of the country rainfall is not only low, but highly erratic.
Australia is also currently in a very serious drought - the worst on record, following a run of very dry seasons. As a result many farming families are under significant financial and emotional pressure. This situation has implications for not only the families involved but for there regional communities and, given the economic contribution agriculture make to the nation economy, the nation as a whole.
Rain Catchers are aimed particularly at those areas that are unable to store or retain large quantities of water. People are now more aware of the need for water and the effect it has on the economy and household incomes. 2005-06 farm income was $26 billion and is projected to fall for this next year.
Following recent rains, the farming sector is feeling more confident anticipating further rainfall. Our designs aim to "drought proof" properties as both town and on farm water sources become more expensive. These products will have applications in all areas and be a cost effective and versatile alternative to rainwater tanks.
We have had a lot of interest from both Australia and countries overseas. We wish to gain support for this initiative, if you are interested or would like more information, please visit our website.
http://www.waterharvestingraincatching.bigpondhosting.com
Please e-mail any comments to: blundell2006@bigpond.com
0433704661
3 Eugenia St
Queanbeyan
NSW
With thanks
Michael Blundell