Murray Madness
There may have been rains that broke the drought in many parts of Australia, but it hasn’t helped the Lower Lakes and Coorong area at the Murray mouth. Many are upset about this in light of a report that says the floodplains of the Murray Darling Basin are being ‘water harvested’ – a process that captures the water before it can make it into the river system. So much water has been harvested, that if allowed to enter the system, the Lower Lakes and Coorong could be completely replenished. The Murray Darling Basin Association declined an interview, but gave The Wire a statement saying diversion of floodwaters is consistent with license arrangements for land-holders, but some believe much of this harvesting process is dubious. It has prompted renewed calls for a Federal Government take-over of the entire river system.