Scientists set benchmark for Basin plan
Date: 11-Mar-2010
A group of Australia’s leading water scientists has released an independent statement setting out what the Murray-Darling Basin Plan must achieve to secure a sustainable future for the severely degraded ecological assets of the Basin.
“The Commonwealth Water Act (2007) says the environmental watering plan and new caps on diversion must be established using best available science and this group of highly regarded scientists has shown the way forward,” said ACF’s Dr Arlene Buchan.
“The alternative to sustainable diversion limits is the continuation of unsustainable diversion limits and that is no longer acceptable.
“We commend the scientists’ statement to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority which is developing the Basin Plan and Minister Wong who will ultimately sign off on it.
“The principles set out by these scientists should be at the core of the decision making process.
“The credibility of the Basin Plan will rely largely on the extent to which it is consistent with these principles.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix the major problems of the Murray-Darling Basin – with the guidance of the best available science. It’s crucial we get it right.”