Citrus growers in the area are bracing themselves for significant water restrictions, which look likely to be laid out in the Murray Darling Basin Plan guide, due for release tomorrow.
In a press release Citrus Australia CEO Judith Damiani said reports suggest irrigators will have their water entitlements cut by between 27 per cent and 37 per cent, which could have grave social and economic impacts on citrus growers and their regional communities.
Ms Damiani said that whilst long-term national water reform was overdue there needed to be a balance between the needs of the environment and regional communities reliant on irrigated agriculture.
“It is heart-breaking to hear about the extent of proposed cuts to citrus growers. Ninety per cent of Australian oranges and nearly all of Australia’s fresh orange juice is produced in the Murray Darling Basin,” said Ms Damiani.
She added it was not only vitally important for the government to maintain current investment for infrastructure upgrades and water buyback from willing sellers, but to address the serious economic and social impacts from any future mandatory cuts. Continuing to facilitate uncertainty was not an option, she said.
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