'Now it's the time' to act on Murray-Darling

11 Mar 2010, 6:21 pm   -   Source: SBS - Richard Davis
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Experts say there's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix the Murray-Darling system. (Getty Images)

Experts say there's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix the Murray-Darling system. (Getty Images)

Thirty of the nation's most senior water scientists have called for immediate action on restoring the drought- ravaged Murray- Darling Basin.

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Thirty of the nation's most senior water scientists have called for immediate action on restoring the drought- ravaged Murray- Darling Basin.

As work on finalising a plan for managing the basin continues, experts say there's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix the river system.

Recent flooding rains have brought misery for some, but they're providing welcome relief to the thirsty Murray-Darling Basin.

"Those floods that have come down the Darling are certainly delivering a short term benefit.

They've been fantastic particularly for those drought-stricken northern regions", environmental scientist and aquatic ecologist Richard Kingsford told SBS.

As the deluge flows south, scientists say now is the time to act to find a long-term solution.

"This is the main chance in fact to chart the future of the Murray-Darling basin," Professor Kingsford said.

A draft plan for the basin is expected to be released mid-year and thirty experts today released their recommendations.

"We wanted to make sure we got our point and view across to provide some input into that," Dr Lucy Nairn told SBS. 

They argue water allocations for the rivers must be cut.

"Because they have been historically over-allocated we do have to work out better ways of getting more water back into the river systems of the Murray-Darling," Mr Kingsford said.

Experts say the plan must be flexible to adapt to a changing climate, and have called for water flow targets to be set for struggling wetland areas.

"We need to be able to respond to changes and respond to that uncertainty in a much more timely fashion than the previous plans," Dr Nairn said.

But the future of the Murray-Darling basin is not just a scientific debate.

The Opposition is divided over Tony Abbott's threat to hold a referendum on a Commonwealth takeover of the basin.

The Nationals don't back a federal takeover.

"That is not the National Party's policy but I do support talking to the people in those communities talking to local members in those communities who know this issue very very well," National Party Representative for Gippsland Darren Chester said.

But there is broad agreement on the need to restore the ailing river system.

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