However, to concentrate upon just that arena is folly & short-sighted. The MDBP sets the amount of water that can be taken from the river system each year while leaving enough for the environment needs.
Several States must be included in any rational discussion, specifically, QLD - NSW - Vic - SA.
Areas of concern encompass -; Consumption, Environment, Infrastructure, Maintenance BUT there are other areas of note to be considered such as -; Ground Water including the Artesian Basin, Dams & flood planes.
This brings the QUESTION of -; HOW is it managed ??
Currently, there is a Water Market where water can be Traded either Permanently OR Temporarily.
In the Governments Plan -;
"This water is traded on markets – within catchments, between catchments (where possible) or along river systems. This form of trading allows water users to buy and sell water in response to their individual needs. Water trading has become a vital business tool for many irrigators."
#QUESTION = What are the Government Structure Points ??
1 = "Irrigated agriculture in the Basin consumes about 60% of Australia's available water.
2 = During the year, water is distributed (or 'allocated') against entitlements in response to factors such as rainfall and storage levels.
3 = There are more than 150 classes of water entitlement in the Basin.
4 = "Water markets create incentives for water to be moved to higher-value uses.
5 = "When water is allocated to an entitlement holder, they are able to use it as needed - this is their business decision to make.
6 = "Water trading in the Basin is worth about $2 billion annually"
#QUESTION = Are those Structure Points the Correct Parameters for the Water System ??
Each State governments are primarily responsible for managing water markets, and each state has its own process and rules for allocating water. = There in lies the FIRST Hurdle of REFORM
While each State has different Needs of Size, Capabilities, Uses, that are based on many factors, a "Single" Recourse cannot operate succinctly with multiple Laws & Responsibilities. Then there is the Political construct where States may have diametrically opposed Political Party Doctrines.
The SECOND Hurdle of REFORM stems from -;
"Irrigation infrastructure operators create and maintain trading rules within their networks."
"Governments state that -; "The price of water reflects supply and demand factors."
PLUS -; "It differs across regions and type of rights, and with time."
"If that were true -; What would Stop OR Curtail the abuse of Pricing Supply. ??
"One would think that -; "The Murray–Darling Basin Authority facilitates fair, consistent and transparent water trade across the Murray–Darling system" BUT What if Foreign Companies OR Governments own the Allocations 7 for what ever reason decide to Manipulate the Price of Water to a Higher Value ??
This now exposes the THIRD Hurdle of REFORM ---
"QUESTION = What are the Other Areas that Government consider ??
Victoria = Agri Demand. Livestock, Fire Fighting, Gardens, Domestic, Drought, Future, Quality, Sources,
See = http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/441483/How-much-water-does-my-farm-need.pdf
NSW =
SA =
Tas =
QLD =
NT =
Canberra =
WA =
This leads to FOURTH Hurdle of REFORM --
"QUESTION = What about Water THEFT ??"
Irrespective of what users say in defence OR complaints about allocations, there can ONLY be just One position when this Issue rears its ugly head = ZERO Tolerance in a realm that is self evident.
"SIZE
According to NSW Irrigators Council, Agriculture uses 5% of Tilled Land but produces 30% of Production.
Agriculture uses 50 to 70% of water consumed in Australia p.a. & irrigation uses 90% of that volume.
However, according to Bureau of Statistics 4618.0
"Murray Darling Basin
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