Environmental water buybacks a priority

Friday, 26 February, 2010

Media release

The Victorian National Parks Association today welcomed the State Government's commitment to deliver environmental water to stressed river red gum forests and wetlands along the Murray River at Mulcra Island near Mildura.

But the VNPA also called on the Brumby Government to do more to recover water for the Murray and other Victorian rivers.

"Today's environmental watering is the tip of the iceberg for what Victoria's new river red gum national parks need," VNPA spokesperson Nick Roberts said.

"The Brumby Government must now move to a significant buyback of environmental water if river red gum parks along the Murray and Goulburn rivers are to survive."

The VNPA is critical of the government for resisting water buybacks as part of the Rudd Government's Murray Darling rescue plan.

"There is $3.1 billion from the Federal Government to buy back water for rivers, and plenty of willing sellers. But we have a lack of will from the Victorian Government to allow water to be acquired to save these river red gum wetland forests," Mr Roberts said.

The VNPA is calling on the State Government to remove all impediments to water trade across northern Victoria, and proceed with a major buyback of water for stressed river red gum wetlands in co-operation with the Federal Government.

"John Brumby has had the foresight to protect our magnificent river red gum forests in national parks for future generations. He now needs to ensure environmental water is purchased as a priority," Mr Roberts said.

Mulcra Island will soon become part of a larger Murray-Sunset National Park following the Victorian Government's decision to create new River Red Gum parks.

Contact for this story

Nick Roberts, VNPA River Red Gum and Water Spokesperson 0429 945 429.