Bourke front and centre in water buybacks inquiry

Visiting Bourke last week for talks with local stakeholders about the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the impacts of the Water Amendment were MP’s  Warren Kirby,  Roy Butler, Stephen Bali and Justin Clancy. Photo TWH

The federal government’s latest water reforms were back under scrutiny when Member for Barwon Roy Butler chaired public hearings in Bourke. The hearings centred around the NSW parliamentary inquiry into water buy back legislation.

The inquiry is examining how the buybacks have affected water users, irrigators, and entire regional economies across the Murray–Darling Basin. It is also considering the social, environmental, and economic risks of the Commonwealth’s decision to repeal limits on water purchases.

Bourke Shire Council was among those giving evidence, with Mayor Lachlan Ford and General Manager Leonie Brown presenting on behalf of the community.

“They were very professional and genuinely wanted to understand the real impacts of water reform on communities like ours,” Mrs Brown said. […]

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