Incorporating the Nagambie Times and Violet Town Sentinel
AVENEL - EUROA - LONGWOOD - NAGAMBIE - STRATHBOGIE - VIOLET TOWN Wednesday,September3,2025
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SEPTEMBER, 2025
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MDBA OPERATIONS CHALLENGED
IN SUPREME COURT
Irrigator class action The management of Australia’s most vital river system, the MurrayDarling Basin, is under intense scrutiny as a major class action lawsuit unfolds in the NSW Supreme Court. The case, brought by 28,000 irrigators from across northern Victoria and southern New South Wales, challenges the MurrayDarling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) operational decisions. The outcome has the potential to redefine the relationship between water policy, bureaucratic responsibility, and regional communities. The central claim is that the MDBA breached its duty of care to irrigators by mismanaging river flows, which allegedly resulted
step toward holding authorities It is one of several major legal accountable. water, and, in some cases, the actions and investigations in significant water loss and Southern Riverina Irrigators inability to meet supply contracts. including a separate $750 million reduced allocations for agricultural In its defense, the MDBA chief executive Sophie Baldwin flooding claim and a NSW ICAC producers. stated legal action is not just about maintains that its actions were a The lawsuit focuses on the MDBA’s inquiry - that are collectively financial damages but about necessary and reasonable response questioning the accountability and decisions to use “overbank” flows ensuring better management of to complex river conditions. transparency of water governance. through the Barmah-Millewa Counsel for the MDBA, Sophie water resources and protecting Narrandera’s David Farley, a noted redgum forest during the 2017Australia’s capacity for food Callan SC, told the court that agricultural leader, has highlighted 18 and 2018-19 water years, with production. overbank flows were a “recognised pointing out context, broader the plaintiffs arguing the method of With the court case expected to lever” used to ensure sufficient that an estimated $2.25 billion in water transfer directly impacted run until October, the proceedings water supply downstream of the investigations currently their livelihoods. particularly to meet claims and Choke, continue to test the MDBA’s legal will Barmah counsel, management. According to plaintiffs’ hang over Basin and operational foundations. South Australia’s entitlement. He contends that the MDB Plan, Tony Bannon SC, the MDBA failed For the North East and Goulburn She stressed river operators do as currently managed, functions as to follow its own procedures and Murray region, the resolution not have the luxury of hindsight and an environmental policy rather than guidelines, leading to a substantial of this case is of immense must make difficult judgments in a framework for national resilience loss of water - an amount that, if importance, as it touches on the dynamic situations, with the MDBA security. food and retained, could have increased water the manage core issues of economic viability acting conservatively to The case has drawn strong allocations for irrigators. and the future of irrigated risk of water shortfalls. The alleged mismanagement support from local leaders and in Australia. legal battle is not an isolated This agriculture critical lower a as it facing see who farmers irrigators, resulted in event. profits, higher costs for temporary
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
DON’T BE COMPLACENT As spring arrives, the CFA is urging regional and rural residents to have their bushfire plans in place well before summer starts.
Australia Day poll opens
STORY PAGE 8
Page 11
Shire slams reforms
Fears that changes to the state government’s legislation on transmission lines will impact local communities have been met with strong advocacy from Strathbogie Shire Council. Mayor Claire EwartKennedy expressed concern following the passing of the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2) Reform Bill 2025, warning that the reforms represent another blow to regional communities already grappling with drought, emergency services level, unreliable power, and growing inequities. “Strathbogie Shire has some of the least reliable power in
Council demands transmission fairness
Victoria,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said. “We have endured repeated blackouts that cripple our towns, businesses, and farms; yet instead of addressing reliability, these reforms impose new risks and strip landholders of their rights. “Imagine if you lived on a metropolitan property and companies could force access to your land without your consent, how would you feel?” Council said in a statement that it had consistently advocated for equitable treatment and practical, local solutions, including urgent
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upgrades to the Seymour–Benalla line and investment in microgrid and battery storage projects to strengthen regional resilience. Farmers across Victoria have voiced alarm at the implications of the reforms, citing: 1. The loss of prime agricultural land to large-scale transmission infrastructure. 2. New laws enabling companies to access private land against owners’ wishes, with fines for resistance. 3. A lack of genuine consultation, with communities often informed only after decisions are made.
4. Compensation packages that fall well short of addressing long-term disruption to farming operations. “Regional communities support renewable energy, but this strong-arm approach undermines confidence in the transition and erodes trust,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said “Our communities must not be treated as expendable in the push for state-wide energy targets.” Council is calling on the Victorian Government and VicGrid to: 1. Fix long-standing reliability
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issues in towns including Euroa, Avenel, Nagambie, and Longwood. 2. Invest in microgrids and storage to safeguard vulnerable communities. 3. Guarantee fair, transparent, and respectful engagement with landholders. “We want a renewable future that is fair, reliable, and developed in partnership with those most affected,” Cr EwartKennedy said. “Strathbogie is ready to play its part, but our residents deserve secure power and a genuine voice in shaping Victoria’s energy transition.” More information can be found at www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au