Snowy River Issues

prepared by Craig Ingram MP -visit his website

The value of the Snowy River to the Australian people is beyond calculation. Right now, this national icon lies at death's door. The once mighty Snowy River has been reduced to a series of small, stagnant pools, choked with weeds and sand. Seawater is intruding upstream and native fish are fast disappearing

A Matter of Equity

Australians are asking for 28% of the original flow to be returned to the Snowy River.The amount needed to restore the Snowy represents approximately 2.75% of all the water used in the Murray-Darling system.

The water needed for the Snowy can come from efficiency savings in irrigation. Professor John Lovering, former Chairman of the Murray Darling Basin Cornmission, says that just a 10% improvement in irrigation and farm management practices could deliver one million megalitres of extra water to irrigators.

This is three times the amount needed to save the Snowy. snowy at orbost

Irrigation water savings will benefit the Snowy, all water users and the environment in the Murray Darling Basin. The Snowy Hydro Scheme will also benefit from the 28% flow through access to green power price premiums. It is currently unable to access these premiums because of the damage it causes to the environment.

This is a fair and equitable solution for all members of the community.

Our last chance

old photo Our forefathers in 1901 thought the mighty Snowy River would be there for all time. On the cusp of the new millennium and the centenary of our Federation, we have the opportunity to ensure our descendants will see the Snowy River flowing free once again.

Following the recent Snowy Water Inquiry, the Victorian, NSW and Federal Governments are now determining how much water the Snowy River will receive. A commitment to reinstate 28% is the only acceptable outcome. This agreement will be in place for 75 years. So now is our last chance to bring the Snowy River back to life.

The Snowy River is a national treasure to be restored and protected for all time. All it takes is the political will to implement a restoration program now.

Action Plan

Restore 28% flow to the Snowy River
Fund a Snowy River catchment and channel program to remove weeds, restore native vegetation and manage erosion
Provide infrastructure and support to Murray and Murrumbidgee farmers to improve water savings

waterhole 1966
Richardson's Swimming Hole - 1966

Scientific basis for 28%

1994 Scoping report commissioned by NSW and Victorian Governments. Recognises 28% of the Snowy's original flow is needed to reinstate the ecological function of the river

1996 Expert panel of scientists conclude that insufficient water is released from Jindabyne Dam to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Recommend 28%

1998 Scientific Reference Panel of the Snowy Water Inquiry conducted by NSW and Victorian Governments supports a minimum of 28%.

waterhole 1998
Richardson's Swimming Hole - 1998

Annual Water Flows

14 million megalitres is the total flow of the Murray - Darling system
12 million megalitres is allocated for agricultural and other uses
3 million megalitres maximum is lost through inefficient water use
0.01 million megalitres (1%) is released into the Snowy from Jindabyne Dam
0.33 million megalitres (28%) is the minimum environmental flow required to restore the Snowy River