More than 40 people attended the meeting at the Natural Resources Management office in Murray Bridge, to voice their opinions on how they were coping and what they think could be done to better manage the swamps.

It was clear the three biggest factors affecting dairy farmers was the price of milk, the global economic crisis and the lack of water.

Narrung dairy farmer Clem Mason said the swamps along the lower part of the Murray were some of the most productive in Australia.

“It needs to be noted to the Government if the land is lost, it is a loss to the State,” he said.

Woods Point farmer Kate Bartlett said her family had been able to survive so far.

“But we need help today, not in two year’s time once studies have been done,” she said.

Lower Murray Irrigators chairman Richard Reedy said the Inquiry met again in Adelaide on Tuesday to set up the terms of reference for a working group.

“The aim is to do what is required to resurrect the swamps,” he said.

“Dairy Australia facilitated the meeting well, enabling people to open up.

“They said afterwards they understood the feedback they received and if the issue was to be left as it is it would be a waiting disaster.

“Urgent action is required.”

Mr Reedy said the meeting went well with an excellent attendance of irrigators. “The major thing that came out of it was the farmers’ appeal to have the swamps returned to what they were five years ago,” he said.

“This was an opportunity for the farmers to voice this.

“Returning it to what it was will be a big challenge.”