This was published 4 years ago
Irrigation wars in the Murray Darling
In the heartland of the Riverina, where farmers famously burned copies of the government plan to cut their water allocations a decade ago, scepticism is mounting that the $13 billion effort has been worth it as the clock ticks down towards a major review. Photos by Dominic Lorrimer.
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Dead trees in Barren Box Storage (formerly swamp) managed by Murrumbidgie Irrigation near Griffith in the Murray-Darling Basin.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Dead trees in Barren Box Storage (formerly swamp) managed by Murrumbidgie Irrigation.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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The Mirrool Branch Canal.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Paul Porter, a fifth-generation farmer, sits under a dead grey box tree amid indigo bushes and lignum in part of the Mirrool Creek on his property in the Riverina.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Dead trees in Barren Box Storage (formerly swamp) near Griffith.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Jo Brighenti and Debbie Buller on an Orange Farm in Griffith. Jo Brighenti's family has been growing oranges for four generations, with some of the trees bearing fruit since the 1930s. Debbie Buller runs a farm growing crops such as rice and wheat, and grazes sheep on her farm near Leeton. She is also president of the Murrumbidgee Valley Food and Fibre Association. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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De Bortoli Wines Managing Director Darren De Bortoli at the Murray Darling Basin Authority River reflections conference held at the Exies Club in Griffith.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Signage in the Barren Box swamp managed by Murrumbidgie Irrigation.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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President of the Griffith Business Chamber Paul Pierotti in his office ahead of the Murray Darling Basin Authority River reflections conference.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret'd), Chair of the Murray- Darling Basin Authority speaks at the River reflections dinner.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Aerial picture of Paul Porters Farm 'Mywurlie' near Hay.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
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Lake Wyangan near Griffith which is sometimes used as the towns water supply during drought. Run off water from nearby farms feed into the lake making it potentially poisonous.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer