NSW station owner warns Chief Minister Michael Gunner of dangers of ‘big cotton’

A NSW station owner has written to Chief Minister Michael Gunner, warning him against allowing ‘big cotton’ into the NT.

Tolarno Station owner Rob McBride has warned of the dangers of ‘big cotton’.

A NSW station owner has written to Chief Minister Michael Gunner, warning him against allowing “big cotton” into the NT.

In the letter, Tolarno Station owner Rob McBride said he had “seen first-hand the devastating impacts of large-scale irrigation” on the “once might Darling”.

“As big cotton players eye off the north, they will be quick to offer assurances of sustainability, industry investment, water allocation caps and other quick fixes,” he wrote.

MORE TOP NEWS

Northern Territory records worst rise in unemployment rate in Australia

‘We hope it is not too late for these expedition ship companies to reconsider Darwin as their key port’: Cruise ship passenger limit rises to 150 per ship

Labor supports raising age of criminal responsibility to 12 ‘in principle’, CLP says 10 is fine

“But the experience of those of us on the front line of the Murray-Darling can attest that these are no more than hollow promises to get a foot in the door.

“Do not risk the devastating impacts to fish stocks, the natural environment, local communities and existing agricultural industries on the promises of big cotton.”

In response, Mr Gunner vowed to protect the Territory’s rivers.

“We have a strict water allocation regime in place, that preserves 80 per cent of the Top End’s river flows — and these measures maintain the majority of stored water in drier areas of the Territory.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

“Any water the cotton industry uses is within the allocation that could have been used for any other crop.

“Our government is also investing significantly into studies around water resources to progress agricultural and horticultural development sustainably, which will be beneficial for our economy and creating local jobs.”