This is despite a positive response to the suggestion from Deputy Premier John Barilaro when he was in Deniliquin with Member for Murray Austin Evans in October.
The proposal from the Murray Regional Strategy Group was for up to $750 million, funded through the Snowy Hydro sale, to establish the water fund. It also asked for a feasibility study into ways the fund could be established.
Mr Barilaro and Mr Evans have since appeared to avoid any comment on the fund and it did not rate a mention when Mr Barilaro launched The Nationals’ election campaign at the weekend, despite his announcement of various other water projects and a commitment to improve water security across the state.
Under the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, $4.2 billion is expected to be invested in major and transformative infrastructure across regional NSW.
The Pastoral Times was eventually able to get a comment from Mr Evans this week, but not before he appeared to avoid talking directly to our journalist on Monday, promised to have a response by Tuesday, then submitted a brief statement when reminded on Wednesday.
Mr Evans said the Murray Valley is still a priority for government and that it will be a part of a larger scale strategy.
‘‘One of the fast-tracked regional water strategies we announced at campaign launch is for the Murray Valley and that review will look at the entire system.
‘‘The water strategy review will look at infrastructure and other options to make better use of the available water. I have been tireless at the most senior levels of government, as evidenced by the Deputy Premier’s visit, to have this water strategy review brought forward.
‘‘All farmers are doing it tough through this drought and we want to ensure we can limit the impacts of dry conditions in the future. That’s why we recently announced a $350 million boost to the Farm Innovation Fund. I will continue to advocate for important infrastructure projects to be funded under the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund,’’ Mr Evans said in his statement.
He made no mention of the water fund or the proposed feasibility study despite being handed three written questions asking where is the water fund up to, why hasn’t it been included on the priority list, and will it become a priority or is it no longer being considered?
The Regional Strategy Group believed the water fund could guarantee an opening 20 per cent water allocation for NSW Murray general security irrigators each season.
Priority projects announced at the weekend by Mr Barilaro included $650 million for the Wyangala Dam; Wilcannia Weir; Malpas to Guyra Pipeline; Bombala Sewerage Treatment Plant Upgrade; Scone to Murrurundi Pipeline; Nyngan Water Supply Upgrade; Liverpool Plains District Water Security Project; Hay Wastewater Treatment Plant; Bourke Bore Water; Walgett Weir and Fishway; Lightning Ridge Water Supply Upgrade; and Manilla Water Supply Upgrade.
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