mmg.com.au

Federal Water Minister Tony Burke said he took two main messages away from his visit to Deniliquin over Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr Burke visited several local properties, met with stakeholders and visited the Deniliquin Rice Mill during his trip to discuss the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The time included a tour and discussion with local farmers Andrew and Louise Burge about system constraints in delivering environmental water.

‘‘People have wanted to make sure that with any water that’s reserved for the environment, that we work with communities,’’ Mr Burke said.

‘‘There’s a genuine concern of people wanting to make sure that we understand what the actual local constraints (in delivering water) are.

‘‘There’s no point acquiring water unless you can sensibly use it.

‘‘If we don’t manage our water properly we can get some really bad outcomes.’’

Mr Burke said locals want environmental water to be used with the ‘‘same level of responsibility and efficiency’’ as irrigation water.

He also praised the benefits of on-farm efficiency works while touring Colin and Marg Bull’s Conargo Rd property ‘Boelgi’ yesterday afternoon.

The couple, together with son Lachlan, have upgraded their irrigation systems with government on-farm efficiency funding.

When asked if he preferred efficiency works or water buy-backs to source water for the environment, Mr Burke said the basin plan would involve both.

‘‘We’ve got much more money set aside for efficiency than we have set aside for direct buy-backs.’’

Murray Group of Concerned Communities chairman Bruce Simpson said it was ‘‘vital’’ that Mr Burke listen to locals about delivery constraints.

‘‘It’s vital that he gets the messages in that regard to the absurdity of simply buying more and more water,’’ he said.

Mr Simpson said if the plan does not change, the government may make ‘‘investment of taxpayer money in water entitlements that the Commonwealth will never be able to deliver.’’