Environmental group Friends of the Earth has released a report that accuses the current Murray-Darling Basin Plan of failing to protect at least half of the Basin’s 16 internationally recognised wetlands.

 

The report comes as the group sends a delegation to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Romania, delivering the report to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat for urgent consideration.

 

“Australia has an international responsibility to protect these globally significant wetlands and the world deserves to know they are being put at great risk,” Friends of the Earth Campaigns Coordinator Cam Walker said.

 

“It’s disgraceful that Australia would consider a plan that risks so many Ramsar listed wetlands while the convention’s major meeting is taking place.”

 

Australian Conservation Foundation Healthy Rivers Campaigner Jonathan La Nauze echoed Mr Walker’s sentiments, saying that healthy wetlands were integral to Basin communities.

 

ACF and FoE are calling on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to require the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to model the return of at least 4000 gigalitres of water to the river.