Conflicts of Interest must stop when allocating scarce water - 10 May 2010

Greens MLC Ian Cohen appeared before a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Water Management today urging greater transparency when in comes to recommendations and decisions made regarding water allocations after a Freedom of Information request by his office uncovered potential instances of undue influence by mining interests.
“Despite recent rains, communities and the environment are still suffering from severe water shortages in regional NSW,” said Mr Cohen.
“Documents my office received after a recent Freedom of Information request suggest that some decisions could be being made which are only in the best interests of big water users, including Barrick Gold, instead of the wider community.
“This goes against the requirements of section 60(3) of the Water Management Act which stipulates that essential town services and environmental water allocation should take precedence over water allocated for industrial or commercial purposes.
“Of the 13 members which make up the Lachlan Critical Water Advisory Committee (CWAC) none are there as community or environmental representatives. Barrick Gold and Jemalong Irrigation are, however, represented on the Committee.
“It’s imperative that those handed responsibility for making recommendations to the Minister about water allocations do so in the best interests of the entire community and the environment which so many of their livelihoods rely upon.
“The Committees must be made up of a broad range of stakeholders and pecuniary interests must be declared to avoid recommendations being made designed to benefit a few instead of the wider community and the environment.
“Climate change will only exacerbate water shortages in regional NSW and as such the management of our water must meet the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
“The Greens call on the NSW Government to reassess its framework for managing water in a time of climate change and drought so that communities and the environment don’t continue to lose out over the profits of big industry,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043