Council chief executive officer Isaac Jeffrey said the budget listed more than $872 million of savings from abandoned water infrastructure projects, while pausing an additional $19.1 million earmarked for Wyangala Dam Wall Raising and the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme.
The council welcomed the $197 million commitment to National Water Grid projects, but is sceptical of the need for $70.9 million to increase resources of the authority, particularly with its seemingly reduced workload.
“That money should instead be funding real projects and delivering real results — not more bureaucrats,“ Mr Jeffrey said.
“The budget fails to shed any additional light on the secret funds allocated in October to water buybacks, which are rumoured to come with a multibillion dollar price tag for the budget and an even greater cost to jobs, businesses, food security, cost of living, our regions and trade.
“It is again reasonable to ask how much is allocated to buybacks and what alternate options the government is considering?
“Over $103 million has been allocated to the Murray-Darling Basin Review, which is likely to be spent on the almost 100 new staff going to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.”
The council welcomed the renewed focus on science and urged the MDBA to ensure it considers the socio-economic science when evaluating the plan, reviewing its impact and preparing for its future.
The council also encouraged the MDBA to allocate sufficient resources to communications and genuine consultation.
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