Murray-Darling plan still not ready: Burke

28 May 2012, 4:51 pm   -   Source: AAP
The revised plan includes more than 300 changes to the draft plan, including new provisions. (File: Getty)

The revised plan includes more than 300 changes to the draft plan, including new provisions. (File: Getty)

Federal Water Minister Tony Burke says a revised plan for the Murray-Darling Basin is a step in the right direction but not quite ready for his signature.

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Federal Water Minister Tony Burke says the Murray-Darling Basin plan is still not ready to fly, but the government is determined to complete it by the end of the year.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) on Monday released proposed changes to its draft plan to restore the river system, released in November, after 20 weeks of consulting with communities and stakeholders.

The revised plan includes more than 300 changes, including new provisions.

But it does not propose changing a planned water recovery target of 2750 gigalitres of water per year, much to the ire of states that argue it could cause hardships.

"We consider that a water recovery target of 2750 (gigalitres a year) on a long-term average is the right starting point to return enough environmental water to the basin ... while also ensuring that social and economic effects are best managed," the MDBA said in the report.

Mr Burke said the revised plan was a step in the right direction.

"We are closer to real water reform than we were before this version," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

"But it's not yet at a stage where I believe we've got something I can sign off on."

The minister said he was committed to resolving the issue this year.

State water ministers have six weeks to respond before the plan goes to the federal government.

Mr Burke said he was negotiating in good faith with the states but he could go it alone if forced.

"I have powers to be able to go over the top of the states," he said.

"My preference is to not use them."

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said the latest version was unacceptable and warned the state would launch a High Court challenge if the federal government signed off on it.

Mr Weatherill said the MDBA had ignored SA's 71 recommendations, including its key demands for more water to go down the river system to ensure its long-term health and for South Australia's efforts - to increase water efficiencies and cap its take from the river - to be recognised.

"The revised plan is unacceptable. It does not return enough water to provide for a healthy river," Mr Weatherill said.

The Victorian government said on Monday the plan was a "death warrant" for the state's northern farming communities and state Water Minister Peter Walsh criticised it for sticking to the 2750GL target.

The Victorian government's modelling says the same environmental outcomes could be achieved by taking only 2100 gigalitres.

The lack of change in the water recovery target also disappointed NSW farmers.

"Every state government has rejected it, including the NSW government," NSW Farmers' Association president Fiona Simson said in a statement.

Mr Burke it was understandable that there was some opposition to the plan.

"There's no doubt that people have a lot at stake and they will push the envelope to try to get the best possible outcome for the people they represent," he said.

MDBA chair Craig Knowles said the authority was confident the revised plan was well balanced.

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