Murray-Darling Basin Authority needs to consult Parkes Electorate
08-February-2012
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has written to the Chairman of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Mr Craig Knowles to request that public meetings be held in the Parkes Electorate to inform local communities of the implications of the proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Mr Coulton said at this stage the MDBA have not announced any consultations in the Parkes Electorate as yet, and believed it would be inappropriate for the MDBA not to hold a public meeting in the electorate as it covers 24 per cent of the Murray-Darling Basin.
“The constituents of the Parkes Electorate have a big stake in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The electorate spans over 24 per cent of the Basin and local communities have already endured significant cuts to water allocations,” Mr Coulton stated.
“The electorate also covers all major river systems from the Lachlan through to the McIntyre, and also boasts major wetlands including the Macquarie Marshes and the Gwydir Wetlands.”
“It is for this reason it is absolutely imperative that the MDBA consult with the local stakeholders that will be affected by the Plan, including Primary Producers, small businesses and local communities.”
“The MDBA needs to inform local communities of the social and economic consequences that the proposed plan will have on their towns. The Authority also needs to explain how environmental water will be managed, as this is a topic many farmers are raising with me.”
“I believe the communities in the Parkes Electorate deserve the opportunity for consultation by the Authority and I look forward to a favourable response from Mr Knowles.”