Labor keen on buyback of entitlements from basin
Greg Roberts; 7/7/08
Controversial water entitlements held by the giant Cubbie cotton station in southern Queensland may be purchased by the Rudd Government as part of its strategy to restore flows in the Murray-Darling Basin. Cubbie, the basin’s biggest irrigator, has signalled a preparedness to sell some of the entitlements that allow it to store 450,000 megalitres. Cubbie Group chairman Keith de Lacy said the sales would be considered after $350 million was set aside for buying water entitlements in Queensland under last week’s Council of Australian Governments agreement. “If an offer is made, we would be prepared to consider selling part of our entitlements,” Mr de Lacy said. “Our only condition is that any agreement involving compensation be voluntary.”
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23979325-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Environment, Murray-Darling Basin