The state government has welcomed passage of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 through the Senate on Thursday 30 November.

Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek secured the votes of the Greens and two independents, David Pocock and David Van.

The Bill allows for the resumption of voluntary water buybacks from willing sellers, to facilitate delayed delivery of the 450 gigalitres promised for the environment through the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

State Environment Minister Susan Close says after a decade of delays and sabotage that which allowed upstream states to not deliver on vital water efficiency programs, voluntary buybacks are the only way the 450GL can now be delivered.

“This is by far the most significant development with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan over a decade and it will make a real difference to the long term health of the River Murray.

“It is fundamental we have a healthy River Murray for the sake of the communities that rely on it, for the environment and for irrigators wanting a sustainable source of water for their crops.”

Ms Close says the Royal Commission into the River Murray in SA dispelled the myth that voluntary buybacks adversely impact communities.

In a submission to the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023, the Commissioner for the River Murray, Richard Beasley SC, also highlighted the lack of any peer reviewed research on supposed impacts of buybacks.

“These assertions are not supported by peer reviewed economic research or papers, or defensible economic reports,” Mr Beasley said.

In the event there are any legitimate impacts on communities, the federal government has set aside $20 million for South Australia.