THE National Farmers’ Federation says the release this week of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s What We Heard Report confirms water buybacks have already gone too far and must now be brought to an end.

While the report captures stakeholder feedback and will inform the next phase of Basin Plan reform, it does not set policy direction.

NFF Water Committee Chair Malcolm Holm said the findings echoed what farmers and communities had been consistently raising.

“It’s clear Basin communities are deeply concerned about buybacks, ongoing uncertainty, and the impacts on regional economies,” Mr Holm said.

“Farmers have already given more than their fair share. It is more than enough, more than can be usefully used, more than was necessary, and more than Basin communities should have had to bear.”

Mr Holm said the focus must now shift to getting better outcomes from the water already recovered.

“The conversation cannot continue to centre on acquiring more water. It must be about how we deliver real environmental outcomes with what we have.

“That includes tackling long-standing issues like carp, which continue to undermine river health and water quality, along with investment in infrastructure and fish passage.”

Mr Holm said there remained concern that farmers and food production were not being adequately prioritised in the broader discussion.

“This is one of Australia’s most important food-producing regions. If we don’t properly recognise the role of agriculture, we risk undermining both regional communities and national food security.

“We welcome the report’s acknowledgement of a missing agricultural narrative, and that must be addressed in the next phase.”

Mr Holm said the NFF will continue to engage constructively in the Basin Plan review process.

“But our position remains clear: no more buybacks. The focus must be on smarter, balanced Basin management that supports the environment and the communities that depend on it.”

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan warned the recent increase threatens the state’s agricultural sector.

Mr Moylan said the price rises could cripple landholders.

“Farmers are already drowning in rising costs to fuel, fertiliser freight and compliance and now they are facing unaffordable water bills,” he said.

“These water price hikes aren’t just small increases; they have the potential to force producers to reconsider their future in agriculture, which would have dire consequences for local, regional, and the wider NSW economy.

“These decisions have the potential to flow-on to food prices, supply chains and the cost of living for the entire country.

“We need pricing that supports farmers rather than costs that could force them out of the industry.

“IPART’s own report recognised that customers cannot readily absorb higher costs and rising water charges will drive more farms out of operation but it still approved a pricing trajectory that significantly raises them.

“Every additional dollar spent on unavoidable water fees is a dollar taken away from hiring local contractors, upgrading equipment, supporting nearby businesses, or investing in regional areas.

“This pricing model punishes productivity, and we need one which actually supports it.”

Meanwhile, NSW Irrigators’ Council says the report highlights the need for the next phase of the Basin Plan reform to balance environmental outcomes with Australia’s long-term food and fibre security.

NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Dr Madeleine Hartley said NSWIC made a comprehensive submission to the review, emphasising that decisions made this week will shape the future agricultural productivity of the Murray-Darling Basin for generations.

“Over the past three decades more than 2700 gigalitres of water has been recovered through the Basin Plan, in addition to 875 gigalitres recovered before the Plan commenced,” Dr Hartley said.

“When combined, these reforms mean only 25 per cent of average total Basin inflows are now diverted for consumptive use.

“The challenge now is to maximise those benefits by making the best use of water already recovered, rather than continuing to remove productive water from regional communities.”

Dr Hartley said food and fibre security must be a central focus of Basin Plan.

“The Murray-Darling Basin produces 40 per cent of Australia’s agriculture production while supporting thousands of regional jobs and businesses.

“At a time when food security is top of mind as a national and global issue, Australia cannot afford to push this issue sideways by implementing water reforms that have the potential to permanently reduce agricultural output.

“Every irrigation farm we lose means fewer jobs, less food and fibre productivity, and greater economic pressure on regional communities.

“Our focus must now be on recognising the gains delivered through environmental water recovery and maximising outcomes through addressing invasive species such as European carp, improving the efficiency of delivery of water to floodplains, and investing in critical water infrastructure,” Dr Hartley said.

“Now is the time to get this right. The future of irrigation-dependent communities relies on it.

“Sensible, balanced water policy is the key to futureproofing both our environment and the irrigated industries that produce the food and fibre Australia and the world rely on.”

MDBA chief executive, Andrew McConville said people have plenty of different views about how water should be managed.

“Across thousands of submissions and conversations, people told us how much the Basin matters to them, their livelihoods, their communities and the health of the rivers they depend on,” Mr McConville said.

“This report is a reflection of what we heard, in people’s own words and highlights the issues they believe are most important for the future.”

During the 12-week consultation period, MDBA teams spoke directly with more than 2900 participants, connected with more than 500 First Nations peoples and groups on Country, and visited almost 100 towns and regional centres across the Basin.

Nearly 2500 submissions were received.

“Many submissions spoke about the effects associated with water recovery and the lasting toll on their communities,” Mr McConville said.

“We also heard First Nations peoples speak of their pain of watching Water Country decline, and the impacts of this on community wellbeing.”

“None of that is easy to hear, but it’s important.”

“A broad range of people including conservationists, farmers, First Nations people, irrigators, business operators, councils and community members took the time to make submissions or speak with us,” Mr McConville said.

“Their views provide first-hand insights into how water management – and water challenges – are experienced in Basin communities. Those perspectives are central to our work on the Review as we consider our recommendations for Basin governments.”

Mr McConville said the report is a significant step in the Review process, but it’s not the end point.

“The feedback we received during the public consultation now sits alongside our science, modelling and policy work as we shape our recommendations. Ultimately the Australian Government will use the Review to shape decisions on the future of water management in the Basin.”

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s What We Heard Report can be viewed HERE.