They are furious at the Federal Coalition, which they say refuses to acknowledge the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a failure, or do anything to fix its faults.
Rally organisers say they want the Coalition to listen to their concerns, but their pleas all seem to fall on deaf ears.
‘‘We have had many requests to follow Thursday’s protest rally with a march, and we have agreed that it is a way to get attention to our concerns,’’ one rally organiser said.
‘‘Our preference would be to sit down with the federal Water Minister David Littleproud and discuss the pain being caused by his Basin Plan, and solutions we believe could fix many of its unintended consequences. But he wont talk to us, so we have to protest and march.’’
Organisers say it was extremely disappointing to learn Mr Littleproud was visiting the region this week but he was ignoring some of the peak farming groups.
It was also disappointing that the Minister would not stay in the region to attend the rally where he would have an opportunity to discover the frustration being felt by local communities.
Farmers and community members from across southern NSW and northern Victoria are encouraged to attend the rally at the Tocumwal Foreshore from 11am.
It is expected to again call on the Federal Government to fix what it says is an ‘‘ailing Murray-Darling Basin Plan’’.
‘‘We want the government to fix the Basin Plan; it’s a pure and simple message,’’ said co-organiser Darcy Hare. As a young farmer who wants a future in the industry, he sees returning water security to southern New South Wales and northern Victoria as being the essential component to maintaining this dream.
‘‘We cannot keep pouring water down the river to see it wasted through evaporation in lakes that used to be estuarine, but are now being categorised as fresh water because that falsehood suits a political narrative,’’ Mr Hare said.
‘‘For the sake of our communities we need to sort this mess out.’’
A range of speakers has been organised for the rally, which will have optimist, libertarian and film-maker Topher Field as its MC.
The speakers will address issues highlighting the flaws in the Basin Plan and what organisers say is a refusal of the Federal Government to adopt the latest science and fix the plan’s shortcomings.
The rally will also be addressed by NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton, and Victoria’s Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed.
Mr Hare said organisers understand there is anger and frustration throughout large parts of the Southern Basin, and are determined to keep fighting until our voices are heard.
He said it was disappointing that the local Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, who is also Environment Minister, had advised she has a prior engagement and will be unable to attend.
‘‘During the election campaign Ms Ley told us water was her number one priority, however since the election our key farming groups cannot even get to talk to her about our concerns.
‘‘Federal Water Minister David Littleproud has also advised he will not attend. Again, this is disappointing. It is especially disappointing that we have developed workable solutions that can improve his plan, but he does not seem interested.’’
Mr Hare said the rally will highlight the indisputable fact that the Basin Plan is flawed on all levels – environmental, economic and social.
‘‘There are issues around the open water market which need to be addressed, the estuarine tradition of the Lower Lakes needs to be acknowledged and the Federal Government needs to develop water management around the Basin Plan that effectively uses our most precious resource.
‘‘Instead, the government, led by Mr Littleproud, refuses to accept that we have a crisis, let alone adopt a position to try and fix it.
‘‘We want people to attend the rally to show the frustration we are feeling towards this unnecessary attitude which we want to see changed,’’ Mr Hare said.
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