Water compliance a key focus at 50th agquip event
For the first time, the Inspector–General of Water Compliance (IGWC) will be attending rural Australia’s pinnacle event: AgQuip. And what a year for the IGWC to attend, celebrating 50 years of agricultural excellence. The Inspector–General, the Honourable Troy Grant says the organisation’s attendance at this year’s event comes at a crucial point in water compliance and enforcement across the Murray–Darling Basin.
“When you visit our site at AgQuip, you will have a chance to tell us about what your main areas of concern are, as residents of the Murray–Darling Basin. We use this information in conjunction with our annual community sentiment survey to determine how people feel about compliance and water management in the Murray–Darling Basin, and the Basin Plan, and act on those results,” said Mr Grant.
“Our most recent survey found that 77% of the community did not know that they live in the Basin. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you live in the Basin. It’s a large portion of the community who don’t know they live in the country’s largest agricultural production areas, where one third of Australia’s food supply is produced,” he said.
The IGWC hopes to speak to hundreds of people who are entering the grounds of AgQuip about issues that concern them, to see if there are particular areas of water management and compliance the Inspector–General should be looking at.
“Half the community, that’s 50% of the Basin community, said they feel governments and organisations do not work together effectively to manage water in the Basin. I take that very seriously, so I now lead a quarterly Regulatory Leaders Forum, where Basin leaders are brought together to share ideas and collaborate on water management in the Basin.”
There is also interest from the IGWC team in regards to how the community feels about the Basin Plan. The aim of the Plan is to bring the Basin back to a healthier and sustainable level, while continuing to support farming and other industries for the benefit of the Australian community.
“The survey tells us there is widespread support for the Basin Plan, with 46% of the community supportive of it, and 33% neutral or not sure. 85% of people also believe it’s important to have a Plan for the survival of the Basin and its communities,” said Mr Grant.
The community can visit the IGWC staff at site C/27 at AgQuip where they can participate in a survey, and provide their thoughts about compliance and enforcement across the Murray–Darling Basin. The community can also phone 13 44 92 to find out who their local field officer is.
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Media contact: Annabelle Hudson | 0499 844 025