Federal Government responds to independent report into fish deaths

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud has announced a suite of measures in response to the final report of the independent expert panel assessing fish deaths in December 2018 and January 2019 (the Vertessy Report).

"I think all Australians who saw footage of these fish deaths were deeply saddened," Minister Littleproud said.

“The Federal Government accepts and will address each recommendation made to it, and will work with states on others. 

"Today I make several announcements in direct response to the report.

"I announce:

·       The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources will, in consultation with community and NSW Government, seek to secure A class licences to protect low flows in the Barwon Darling into the future as recommended by the report

·       The Federal Government will invest up to $25 million into metering in the northern basin, in the form of a 25% subsidy for AS4747 compliant meters. This will be backdated 12 months and states will be asked to contribute 

·       $5 million for cameras to live-stream river flows to the internet to provide absolute transparency to the public. No honest person has anything to fear from transparency

·       $20 million to expand research on the Murray-Darling Basin for better water and environmental management and to address gaps in our knowledge as recommended by Prof Vertessy and panel 

·       Fulfilling a commitment from our 7 May 2018 agreement with Opposition we will also work with NSW to have this additional water allocated to indigenous communities

·       $10 million to help restock rivers and lakes with native fish species across the basin and establish new hatcheries in the northern basin to kick start fish recovery in line with the report

·       An additional $5.24 million for the Toorale Water Infrastructure Project to better connect the Warrego and Darling Rivers as recommended by the Vertessy report. This funding will improve flows and build fishways.

"This is a $70 million-plus response which goes to research, connectivity and compliance. We've listened to the scientists.

"I acknowledge the rigour and independence of the panel’s assessment of recent fish deaths in the lower Darling.

“This report is based on scientific assessments conducted by a panel of distinguished water scientists. I’m grateful to panel chair Professor Rob Vertessy and the entire panel for their work on it,” Minister Littleproud said.

The final report of the Independent Assessment of the 2018-19 fish deaths in the lower Darling is available at mdba.gov.au

For more information on the Australian Government’s response to the Final Report of the Independent Assessment of the 2018-19 Fish Deaths in the Lower Darling please visit Agriculture.gov.au