Irrigators hold off on legal action - for now ...

Following discussions with MP Malcolm Turnbull, the Oakey and Gowrie Creek irrigators are holding off on legal action against the Toowoomba City Council over its controversial Water Futures project.

As part of any Federal government funding, there must be a satisfactory plan for dealing with Gowrie Creek and the irrigators concerns.

Under the NWC application, there is no such plan - they get zip! - so Council will need to start modifying its proposal to ensure that the irrigators don't drag the Council into court.

The fact that the irrigators are having discussions with the Federal government must worry the Council. It makes it much harder for them to spin a line to the Feds that the irrigators are happy with whatever half-baked solution they may offer.

The days of half-baked solutions and misleading people are over - there are just too many people watching now ...

From ABC News:

31 March 2006

Irrigators hold off on water futures legal action

Oakey and Gowrie Creek irrigators say they will not pursue legal action over Toowoomba's water futures project until they see what management plans the city council has in place for them.

Under the plan, sewage from Toowoomba that would normally be treated and sent along Gowrie Creek will be recycled for the city's drinking supply.

The Gowrie-Oakey Creek Irrigators Association says the council does not have a compensation plan for farmers.

President Rod Sleba says he met the Prime Minister's special adviser on water, Malcolm Turnbull, to discuss the issue.

"Mr Turnbull understands our position and said that part of the granting of the money would be the referendum plus a management, I guess, process, put in place that satisfies the irrigators on Gowrie-Oakey Creek," he said.

See - Legal action on hold.