SA prepares legal challenge to Murray plan

28 May 2012, 4:43 pm   -   Source: AAP
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has upheld the recommendation to return 2,750 gigalitres of water to the river system. (SBS)

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has upheld the recommendation to return 2,750 gigalitres of water to the river system. (SBS)

The South Australian government will prepare a legal challenge to the plan to save the Murray River, with Premier Jay Weatherill declaring the latest version unacceptable.

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The South Australian government will prepare a legal challenge to the plan to save the Murray River, with Premier Jay Weatherill declaring the latest version unacceptable.

Mr Weatherill said the challenge in the High Court of Australia will be launched if the federal government signs off on the plan in its current form.

On Monday the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) released the revised version of its draft plan which stands by its recommendation to return 2,750 gigalitres to the river system for environmental flows.

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

"I say now the season for poor compromises is over and the season for standing up and fighting has begun," the premier told reporters.

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

As well as the legal challenge the premier said the state government would launch a public campaign, expected to include advertising, to inform all South Australians about the risks the current plan posed to the state's future.

"We will argue the case to save the Murray everywhere," he said.

"We need pressure from all parts of the Australian community to force changes to this plan."

Murray Darling Basin

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