Hume Dam is a major dam across the Murray River. Image credit: Tim J Keegan, Flickr
A study from ANU has found billions of dollars are being wasted in water recovery subsidies to increase irrigation efficiency across the Murray-Darling Basin. The Australian Government estimates $3.5 billion in subsidised onand off-farm water infrastructure has achieved some 700 gigalitres per year increases to stream and river flows across the Murray-Darling Basin. A gigalitre (GL) equals a billion litres. Based on a calculation from a range of estimates, the ANU study found the subsidised water infrastructure may have only delivered 70 GL/year increases to stream and river flows - 630 GL/year less than the Government's estimate. Professor John Williams, one of the researchers, said 630 GL is more water than is in Sydney Harbour. "Simply put, without independent and comprehensive water accounting, including what is happening to return flows and the effects of multi-billion dollar subsidies for irrigation infrastructure on stream flows, expect more fish kills, a continuing environmental crisis, and no peace in the Murray-Darling Basin," said Professor Williams from the Centre for Water Economics, Environment & Policy at ANU. "The Government should halt any further subsidies until their water accounting adds up properly.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
