21 August 2008
Buying back the Murray
|
South Australia's lower lakes have become a rallying point for the crisis facing the Murray Darling. Scientists say the lakes will be lost unless there are significant inflows of water before summer. But is there enough water to save the lakes and where will it come from?
The Australian Conversation Foundation wants the federal government to buy six big rural properties that have significant water storages, including the controversial Cubbie Station. The ACF says between them, those properties could deliver 300 gigalitres, and buy some time for the lower lakes.
Meanwhile, the new independent senator Nick Xenophon is supporting the compulsory acquisition of water licences, arguing that time is running out for the Murray Darling. But with the resource in crisis, have we lost the chance to strike a balance between the environment and the needs of agriculture? Do we have to accept that nothing can be done to save the lower lakes?
Guests
Paul Sinclair
Healthy Ecosystems Manager, Australian Conservation Foundation
Laurie Arthur
Chairman, National Farmers Federation Water Taskforce
Kelvin Montagu
Knowledge manager, CRC Irrigation Futures
John McKillop
Managing director Clyde Agriculture
Further Information
Murray Darling Basin Commission
ACF proposal for property buy back
Presenter
Paul Barclay
Story Researcher and Producer
Debra McCoy
Radio National often provides links to external websites to complement program information. While producers have taken care with all selections, we can neither endorse nor take final responsibility for the content of those sites.
