AS the state of the River Murray worsens, Murraylands irrigators are being encouraged to turn their backs on the land in a bid to return 48 billion litres to the river system.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced in Adelaide on Saturday a $57.1 million scheme over the next four years that would entice irrigators with land up to 15 hectares to walk off their properties, with ‘special exit packages’ worth up to $170,000.
Member for Barker Patrick Secker said the announcement was rus-hed and had not taken into account the structural adjustments needed in communities.
“The plan is not a new plan, it was introduced by the Coalition Gove-rnment last August to allow struggling farmers to get out with dignity,” he said.
“The problem is the details are not clear, what happens to those farmers such as dairy whose properties are greater than 15 hectares?”
Mr Secker said the move by the state and federal governments suggested the Govern-ment was trying to hint the only way to survive was to “get big or get out”.
Premier Mike Rann said the decision was the breakthrough they had been looking for.
“It is a win for the irrigators, the river and the environment,” Mr Rann said.
“It means that small block irrigators who agree to sell their water licences to the Federal Government on condition that the water is returned to the river for environmental flow, can also receive up to $150,000 each.
“Additional funds will be available for transitional purposes including up to $10,000 for removal of perennial plantings and irrigation infrastructure.”
However, an extra $10,000 can be claimed for ‘re-training’ educational purposes.
Mr Rann said the packages allowed irrigators to stay in their homes and communities and to ‘re-gear’ their lives.
Shadow Water Minister Mitch Williams said the combined Common-wealth and State announcements asked people to destroy their crops and leave their land.
“Mr Rann must explain why his so-called historic agreement will result in more than 1000 irrigators ceasing to produce food in South Australia while rice growers in eastern states remain on their farms,” Mr Williams said.
Family First Water Security spokesman Robert Brokenshire said the state and federal Labor governments did not understand what Murray irrigators need.
“Murray irrigators are the first part of the jigsaw in this State’s economy, not the last,” he said.
“They saved the State after the State Bank disaster, and they deserve better than money to just walk of the land.”