NSW puts options on the table to avoid buybacks

The NSW Government is continuing to work to minimise the exposure of our regional communities to water buybacks, with the release of the NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan today.

The NSW Government remains committed to delivering the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full in partnership with the Commonwealth and other Basin States, to support thriving ecosystems and economies.

However, the Government has been clear that this must be done in a way that reduces socio-economic impacts and allows regional communities to prosper which is why the NSW Government does not support water buy backs.

The NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan, released today recommends a coordinated effort to deliver existing projects and pro-actively bringing forward new ones that can contribute to Basin Plan targets, and in doing so, limit the volume of water buybacks from NSW communities.

The Plan also calls on the Australian Government to prioritise investment in recovering water through other mechanisms.

With the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 now in effect, it is important that NSW is on the front foot in putting forward proposals that enable water to be recovered by the Australian Government through ways other than buybacks.

The NSW Government will continue to engage with the community and industry stakeholders on these projects and welcomes new ideas being brought forward.

View the full plan here: NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“Despite the mess we have been left by the previous Government, we don’t want to give up on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

“Our state is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to delivering the Basin Plan, and we will continue to work with the Australian Government to ensure the plan is delivered in a way that minimises impacts on our regional communities.

“We’re pleased to see the Australian Government sticking to the agreement reached last year and prioritising other forms of water recovery beyond buybacks.

“This includes Minister Plibersek’s newly announced Resilient Rivers Program which provides a broad range of non-purchase options that the NSW Government and our communities have consistently asked for.

“The new legislation requires the Australian Government to consider socioeconomic impacts before purchasing water towards the 450 GL target. If they go down this path, I expect substantial community adjustment support to meaningfully help communities and industries adapt to a future with less water.

“My message is clear: we will not take a backwards step in advocating for the interests of regional and rural NSW, and we will continue to explore and advocate for projects that deliver environmental benefits to the Basin while protecting our communities from large scale water buybacks.”