Once again this week our farmers have been crucified on the back of bureaucratic bungling and their inability to communicate with communities. On late Friday afternoon, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's Water division applied an embargo for the first time on overland flow via a text message.
Zara Lowien, Executive Officer of Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association said whilst the sentiment of this decision to protect flows for critical human needs is supported by northern communities, it is the level of disregard for how a natural system behaves during extreme weather events such as a flood and the lack of consultation about rule changes that has farmers fuming.
"We were frustrated by the lack of clarity provided around the sudden change and the lack of information to help farmers be compliant with new rules.”
“A lack of communication from the Department meant that farmers struggled to understand how they could be compliant”.
"A perfect storm of events subsequently unfolded over that weekend, when predicted rainfall actually fell in a small section of the valley adding up to more than 200mm for some".
“For those who live on the floodplain; floods and flood damage can be expected. The combination of intense rainfall on the drought-stricken landscape, created localised flooding not consistent with the rainfall being measured. This fast-moving flood, coupled with fear of prosecution, caused heightened concern with those on the ground.”
"The stress for those impacted farmers was caused fundamentally because no one knew how the rules applied including the Department, who has subsequently issued clarifying statements to landholders. Farmers essentially had no where to turn for answers because it was without consultation and the rain fell on a weekend."
“Ill-informed commentary from people not impacted by the flood, is intentionally damaging and disrespectful."
“Why would a Northern floodplain farmer share their story right now, especially when they’ve just watched their first chance at producing income in years flow across the floodplain and not neccessarily to a river or to the benefit of those downstream.”
"I have been concerned enough about the wellbeing of our members, even before last weekend's events and the subsequent media beat-up aimed at dividing communities that we had already recommended they break from social media and media. Given it doesn’t really matter what they say about how they farm or how floodplains work, many have already made up their mind anyway".
"What this experience does highlight, is that we can all agree, government must do better at communicating how they manage temporary water restrictions.”
“We all need a clearer process where Department's last minute decisions doesn’t throw farmers under a bus”.
“It’s time the bureaucrats - the decision makers here, show leadership and discuss these critical matters.”
“They must learn from this and demonstrate to farmers everywhere, how they will ensure it doesn’t happen again.” she said.
Ends.
Zara Lowien
Executive Officer
<post photo, farm scale flooding and damage 8 February 2020>
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