Environment Minister calls for cooperation on rivers

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley (3rd from right) with l-r: Local Engagement Officer with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office – Jason Wilson, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Jody Swirepik, Bourke Shire Council Deputy Mayor Lachlan Ford, Minister Ley, Bourke Council Corporate Affairs Director Leonie Brown, and Mark Taylor from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office PHOTO TWH

Federal Environment Minister Susan Ley toured the northern rivers this week, for as firsthand look at how water resource plans were delivering for river communities.

The Minister toured Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett and Moree, with the Commonwealth Environment Water Holder Jody Swirepik, and said she heard loud and clear the different issues facing communities in the north and south of the Murray Darling Basin.

“There are differences of opinion and misunderstandings between the north and the south,” she admitted.

“In my electorate of Farrer there is the view that water is being kept in the north but then you come here and see how dry the rivers are because the inflows have been so extraordinarily dry and we have to face that.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.