Facts and figures
This page corrects misreported and incorrect statements made in relation to this department's water reform responsibilities.
March 2011
Compulsory acquisition of water
Media source: Sunrise, 7 network
On 7 March, Alan Jones appeared on the Sunrise program and said the Australian Government was compulsorily acquiring water from farmers.
The Australian Government will not compulsorily acquire water. There will be no cuts to the water entitlements of farmers who wish to keep irrigating. The government has consistently stated that it will only recover water from farmers who choose to participate in our programs including grants for irrigation infrastructure upgrades and water purchase.
December 2011
Pipeline from the Ord, Western Australia
Media source: The West Australian
On 2 December, The West Australian ('Push on for Ord pipeline to east') stated 'Key industry players and WA MPs have been briefed on aspects of 1800 km pipeline proposal, which would be funded through the $10 billion earmarked to buy back water from struggling Murray irrigators'.
The Australian Government has not committed funding to any pipeline proposals in Western Australia, including this proposed 1800 km pipeline.
'$10 billion for water purchases'
Media source: Adelaide Advertiser, The West Australian, and The Canberra Times
The Adelaide Advertiser ('Ord pipeline could save Murray') and The West Australian ('Push on for Ord pipeline to east') reported on 2 December there was $10 billion available to fund water buybacks from irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin. On 8 December, The Canberra Times ('Basin scheme lacks adequate monitoring') also reported 'the Gillard Government's $12.8 billion water buyback scheme'.
The Australian Government has committed $3.1 billion to the Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin program to purchase water entitlements for the environment. The Government has also announced it will provide additional funding of $310 million per annum from 2014-15 to bridge the gap to the new sustainable diversion limits in the final Basin Plan.
A further $4.8 billion is available for infrastructure and water management.
For further information visit: Water recovery to 'bridge the gap' - Fact sheet 2011
Videos
Environmental watering in the Murrumbidgee River
More than 160 gigalitres of environmental water was released into the Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales in June 2011. >>Watch Video
Draft Basin Plan
Find out more about the draft Basin Plan.
Resources
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Water websites
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Publications
- Fact sheet: Environmental water
- Fact sheet: Water recovery to 'bridge the gap'
- Fact sheet: Water-saving infrastructure
- Fact sheet: Environmental works and measures
- The importance of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin
- Delivering a healthy working Basin: Supporting communities, industry and the environment
- Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
- Restoring river health in the Murray-Darling Basin: Commonwealth Environmental Water
- Moving water long distances: Grand schemes or pipe dreams?
Water information hotline
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