A war between the Federal and State Governments is breaking out, after Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek admitted the Murray Darling Basin Plan couldn’t be completed by June next year.
The project redistributes water allocations along the critical agricultural and environmental corridor.
The Minister has told the ABC delays to state-managed water recovery works are the cause of the timeline blow out.
The MDBA says almost half of the 36 supply-side projects will certainly or likely NOT meet the deadline, while there’s not been much progress on measures aimed at enhancing environmental outcomes.
It says it is important changes are made to provide a clear pathway forward.
Conservation groups are urging the Federal Government to stand firm on the commitment to return water to the system.
Environment Victoria and other conservation councils say that puts the health of the river systems at increased risk, and could damage the environment during the next drought.
However the groups are happy the Federal Minister is committed to delivering 450-gigalitres of water for the environment.
