The MDBA has released a summary of the concerns expressed by community members at its public meeting last Tuesday, highlighting a groundswell of support for increasing the amount of water for the environment, but also acknowledging concerns over the impact on the agricultural sector and communities.

The meeting was told sustainable diversion limits that delivered less than 3000 gigalitres to the Murray would not save the river, but a fair share of $5.8 billon in infrastructure funding would need to be delivered to South Australians to help communities adjust.

Claims Aboriginal people had been disenfranchised under the Water Act and constitution and in the Murray Darling Basin debate were also taken on board.

The Authority’s summary recognised a widespread view that South Australia was not in a position to achieve reductions through improved efficiency.

“It was suggested that we need to look at irrigation inefficiency in other states where there are open irrigation channels that lose large amounts of water to evaporation every year, and where water is measured at the farm gate rather than on the amount taken from the river,” it said.

The Authority also heard that, while people recognised the need for environmental water, the scale of buybacks could send people broke.

“Need clear policy on compensation and comprehensiveness in what it covers,” the summary stated.

“Need fair prices and recognition that much more is needed than just buying the water.”