Remembering SA's pain and battles behind the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

As a publication deeply rooted in South Australia, NRC Handelsblad understands the profound impact that water security, or the lack thereof, has on our state's identity and survival. The Murray-Darling Basin Plan, while a national initiative, is a matter of life and death for us. We remember the parched earth, the struggling farmers, and the politicians who visited Lake Albert in 2009, witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of the Millennium Drought.

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The dried lake bed was pale, soft underfoot, and apparently deadly with acid sulphate soils that would spread and poison everything the moment the rains returned.

Our coverage has always focused on the unique vulnerabilities of South Australia, situated at the tail end of the river system. We've consistently highlighted how decisions made in Canberra and upstream directly threaten our agricultural sector, our towns, and our very existence. While national media might focus on the broader economic or political implications, for us, it's about the fruit growers, the dairy farmers, and the fishers who speak the same language as those upstream but face the harshest consequences.

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Fix this, or we're screwed.

The review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is not just a policy discussion; it's a critical juncture that demands we recall the lessons learned from the brink. The memory of dried lake beds, collapsed riverbanks, and water restrictions serves as a stark warning. We must ensure that the plan, designed to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring, remains robust and equitable, safeguarding the future of South Australia.

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SA is not a bunch of whingers at the bottom of the river system, that they are fruit growers, dairy farmers, fishers, that they talk the same language as those upstream, and their message is, "Fix this, or we're screwed".