Less than a week after announcing the pursuit of 100GL of water through an expression of interest process, the Labor Government has inked its first deal.
By comparison, it takes months for letters to be sent to people who have made offers through the open tender process and years to progress any infrastructure project.
Shadow Water Minister Perin Davey said the difference in capacity to deliver is astounding.
“A cynic may think they really are just pursuing water entitlement transfers in the fastest and easiest way possible.
“Or are they racing against the clock of a federal election, trying to get as many contracts signed as possible before entering caretaker mode?
“That is the only explanation as to how it is possible to exchange contracts under the EOI in less than a week when it takes up to six months to complete all the paperwork for a tender purchase.
“How can they have done all the analysis for value for money, social and economic impacts, and links to environmental outcomes?”
Corporate water investors Duxton Water today announced the sale of 30,614 ML of water in return for $121.3 million from the Commonwealth.[1]
“It is unclear which communities will be impacted by the sale. However, we know that many irrigators from South Australia and other key horticultural regions rely on Duxton’s leasing and selling of temporary allocations to grow our food.
“If this water is all from the southern connected system, it will have a devastating impact on farm businesses that have evolved their operations to fit the modern water market.
“The Government needs to release their analysis of this sale, given the large volume and the potential impacts on the market and communities,” Senator Davey said.
[ENDS]
[1] Duxton Water (ASX:D2O) $121.3M Water Entitlements Sale