Back down at the Bidgee to start a Friday after a big week ❤️
You might have seen some reporting about the Murrumbidgee River this week and how bad its health is.
Despite being such an incredble river of cultural, environmental and social importance, for too long the Murrumbidgee has been the forgotten river, neglected and starved of water flows.
Since the Snowy Hydro scheme started, 90% of natural flows into the Upper Murrumbidgee have been diverted towards Tumut in order to generate more hydro electricity. This has left the river in a constant state of crisis, but particularly in summers.
In late 2023, I reached an agreement with the government that included a $30 million contingency reserve, which was to be accessed to release water into the Murrumbidgee if the river falls into drought.
In December last year, the Murrumbidgee Drought Operating Framework was finalised, which set up trigger points for the release of water to maintain river health. Triggers have been breached, but water is still yet to be released.
The Commonwealth and NSW govts need to urgently work together and sort this out!
View Original | AusPol.co Disclaimer