mmg.com.au

Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson was well-received by local stakeholders at Thursday’s meeting at Finley RS Club.

Her visit was part of a week-long tour to discuss the impact of the Commonwealth government’s proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan on local towns.

The meeting of approximately 30 people was civilised and business-like, but with a small gathering of anti-environmental protestors handing out flyers upon entry.

Ms Hodgkinson was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, Troy Grant, Member for Murray-Darling John Williams and Deputy Government Whip Rick Colless.

Ms Hodgkinson said ‘‘the lack of Commonwealth Government community consultation on the proposed plan was ‘‘unfair’’.

‘‘This is why this tour has been a priority for me,’’ she told her audience.

Ms Hodgkinson said the purpose of Thursday’s meeting was to listen first-hand to members of smaller communities like Berrigan and Finley, as much of the focus has previously been on larger centres.

The outcome of the meeting was ‘‘very successful’’, she added.

‘‘Everyone put forward their cases with great consideration and articulation.’’

There were representatives from a range of relevant organisations including West Corrugan irrigators, Finley Chamber of Commerce, Murray CMA, Southern Riverina Irrigators, Murray Group of Concerned Communities, Dairy Australia, as well as Berrigan Mayor John Bruce, Jerilderie Mayor Terry Hogan and Deniliquin Mayor Brian Mitsch.

Blighty dairy farmer Malcolm Holm said the meeting was ‘‘a really good engagement of wanting to hear what the locals thought’’.

The visit was extended to Mr Holm’s property after the meeting to gain a first-hand insight into how the plan would impact the dairy industry, as well as the entire region.

Comments from the three-hour discussion will be included in a report, due in April, for the Commonwealth Government to consider.

~ Olivia Congdon