Inquiry to look at river diversion

A parliamentary enquiry into the Murray Darling Basin Plan will consider the option of diverting the Clarence River.

FEDERAL independent Member for New England Tony Windsor says diverting water from the Clarence River is an option to revive the Murray Darling basin.

Mr Windsor, whose electorate shares a border with Page, said diversion of east coast rivers, including the Clarence, would be looked at by a parliamentary inquiry, of which he was a member, into the impact of Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“Diverting water into the Murray Darling system to avert the effects of climate change is a possibility,” he said.

“But where it comes from is an issue I don't want to get into debate about right now. There are a lot of options out there to be looked at yet.”

Mr Windsor, who previously flagged the idea of diverting the Clarence in 2007, said sending water west was possible.

“It's technically possible to bring eastern flowing water to the west as we have done with the snowy mountains scheme,” he said.

In the first sitting of Parliament yesterday since the diversion issue arose, Member for Page Janelle Saffin wasted no time in making her feelings heard.

Ms Saffin told the House she would be vigilant in fighting any diversion of the Clarence.

“The message from my community, which is home to the Clarence River – and a lot of people seem to be talking about wanting to get their hands on it and are looking at it for diversion – is this: ‘not a drop',” she said.

Ms Saffin said she understood the emotions attached to the Murray Darling issue and that all options were on the table, but any diversion would destroy the Clarence.

“Our industries are fishing – we have a huge commercial fishing industry – and agriculture, and the economy is heavily underpinned by that commercial fishing,” she said. “Engineering-wise, we can do anything ... but in terms of the environment and also the viability of the Clarence, it would be a disaster.”