mmg.com.au

A group of northern Victorian councils have stepped up anti-Murray Darling Basin Plan campaign efforts by releasing a YouTube video which calls for ‘‘balance’’ in achieving MDBP water-saving targets.

The Achieving the Right Balance YouTube video is a joint initiative of the Murray River Group of Councils, City of Greater Shepparton and Strathbogie Shire Council.

The six-minute video uses the stories told by a dairy farming couple from Tongala, a Mildura chef as well as a disrirct horticulture producer and crop farmer to convey its message.

While the central message is that a successful basin plan is one where the needs of irrigators, communities and the environment are balanced, the underlying message is that irrigation communities did not want to see water taken from productive use to achieve the plan’s environmental outcomes.

MRGC chair and Campaspe Shire mayor Kevin Simpson said investment in other water-saving methods was preferred.

‘‘We recognise that a healthy river system environment is vitally important but we believe this can be achieved without the removal of water from productive use,’’ he said.

‘‘A continued investment by the government into water-saving methods to achieve water targets is the key to achieving balance and benefits for all — a strong regional economy, a vibrant community and a healthy environment.’’