Hundreds flocking to Shepparton to protest proposed Murray-Darling Basin amendments
A convoy of trucks and tractors has driven through Shepparton with farmers and workers furious over the federal government’s proposed amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Goulburn Valley
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A convoy of farmers and workers in trucks and tractors drove through Shepparton on Monday to protest against the federal government’s proposed changes to the Murray-Darling Basin plan.
Nearly 100 trucks and tractors were part of the protest.
City of Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Shane Sali led Monday’s protest as the Goulburn Valley community voiced concerns about the federal government’s proposed changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The changes are set to force 450 gigalitres of water to be removed from irrigators, with locals worried about the impact it would have on the regional economy.
According to the Victorian Government, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan “sets limits on how much water can be used for irrigation, drinking water, industry to ensure the long-term health of the environment”.
The trucks were emblazoned with signs saying, “No water, no farmers, no food” and “Less water means less people”.
Other slogans include “Country towns will die” and “Keep the Goulburn Valley thriving”.
The convoy left the Shepparton Sports Precinct at 10am, before moving along Wyndham St and turning left on High St towards the SPC Factory, where the protest was followed by a raft of speakers.
David McKenzie, the Director of Goulburn-Murray Water, spoke first, saying that the proposed legislation in the Senate “removes the cap on buybacks and removes the need for government not to cause socio-economic damage to our communities.”
The Murray-Darling Basin stretches across parts of Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and South Australia.
The Murray-Darling Basin accounts for 14% of Australia’s landmass. Many people across the country rely on it for drinking water - including those in Canberra and Adelaide.
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