water allocations for river murray irrigators providing the tools to plan ahead

Transcription

1 water allocations for river murray irrigators providing the tools to plan ahead

2 Providing the tools to plan ahead 2036 WILL MARK OUR STATE S BICENTENARY By the time our State turns 200 years old, I want South Australia to be a place of prosperity. Planning and delivering on my vision for a better future starts now. This policy is just part of our plan to deliver a clear and responsible pathway to recovery and success. See where it fits in below 1.0 Growing our Economy 1.6 Unlocking the resources and production of our regional areas and ensuring growth opportunities for regional businesses and industries 2.0 The Best Education System 3.0 BEING A HEALTHY STATE 4.0 Strengthening Communities 5.0 BUILDING OUR STATE 5.1 Taking a strategic focus on the future to plan for and deliver on the needs of South Australia in an efficient and sustainable way 6.0 Ensuring Safety and Justice 7.0 Protecting our Environment 7.5 Protecting the River Murray and our water resources 8.0 Embracing our Unique Culture 9.0 running an Efficient and STABLE Government 9.2 Making South Australian productive through innovation and collaboration

3 River Murray irrigators need more timely advice about water allocations.

4 Providing the tools to plan ahead The PROBLEM River Murray irrigators make a significant contribution to the South Australian economy. They use their water allocations to grow wine grapes, citrus and horticultural crops which earn valuable income on export and domestic markets. It is a tough business because it is difficult to predict from one year to the next how much water will be available. Irrigators have been told that for they will receive a 100% water allocation because of last spring s highest river inflows for 23 years. But just a year ago, they were informed they would only get a minimum of 36% for following a very dry year across the Basin. This was later adjusted to 52%. While recently the South Australian Government has increased the frequency with which they forecast water allocations, more needs to be done. For River Murray irrigators, success of their business depends on correctly predicting how much water will be available from one year to the next.

5 Providing the tools to plan ahead The State LiberalS Plan Providing more reliable information will assist River Murray irrigators in planning for the future. If elected in March 2018, a Marshall Liberal Government will give greater support to River Murray irrigators in their forward planning. We will give irrigators the information and tools to plan ahead through the provision of probability scenarios for water allocations on a three monthly basis, rather than annually as has occurred until recently. Our framework will be consistent with current practice in New South Wales and Victoria where regular probability scenarios are given to irrigators in those jurisdictions. Giving irrigators greater certainty in their business planning will also assist the efforts to ensure the River Murray is sustainably managed.

6 providing the tools to plan ahead Our irrigators deserve as much support as possible to be able to make their water management and business decisions. Steven Marshall, State Liberal Leader

7 providing the tools to plan ahead If you would like to provide feedback on our policy or learn more about our plan, please get in touch via: The Office of Steven Marshall MP Parliament House - North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Phone: steven@stevenmarshall.com.au Web:

8 marshall2036.com.au