The Federal Greens have called on Environment Minister Tony Burke to reject the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, saying it is set to fail the system in its current form.

 

"The Plan handed down by the Authority today fails the river and its communities, it fails South Australia and unfortunately looks set to fail in the courts as well." Greens' water and Murray Darling Basin spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said.

 

The Greens reiterated their opposition to the plan, which has consistently maintained the 2750 gigalitre environmental flow level.

 

“4000 gigalitres at the very least is what is required if we are to save the Murray Darling Basin for the future. The plan released today fails to deliver enough water for the river,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

 

“More alarmingly, this plan is riddled with ways to give the environment even less water than already scarcely allocated, hanging South Australia out to dry,

 

"If implemented as outlined this plan will be nothing more than a $9 billion flop and cost Australian taxpayers even more in the courts.

 

 "The Greens call on Minister Burke to reject this plan and to come back to the table with a plan that will actually save the river, give our communities security, and ensure that we build resilience and sustainability throughout the basin."