Drums are beating out a warning along the length of the Clarence River that the Liberal-National Coalition is fronting a raid on coastal water in 2010

Clarence River photograph found at Flickr

During the federal election campaign earlier this year the Nationals leader and one local candidate went to some pains (as did the NSW Nationals MP for Clarence) to deny that the Liberal-Nationals Coalition was still determined to push for a large dam and pipeline in the Clarence River catchment area which would divert water into north-west New South Wales and the Murray-Darling Basin river system.

However, Tony Abbott had already let the cat out of the bag at the Official Coalition Election Campaign Launch on 8 August 2010 when he stated:

The Coalition will end Labor's procrastination and fully and finally implement the Howard/Turnbull/Anderson plan for the Murray Darling basin.

The tail end of that particular 'plan' contained the option of damming and diverting a NSW North Coast river, with frequent mention being made of the Clarence River.

Since it became apparent that the Gillard Government would only be able to govern courtesy of the wandering goodwill of independent members of parliament, I have been waiting to hear that the Federal Opposition was intent on flexing its muscle and preparing to act as a sock puppet for those water raiders of 2006 to 2007 - the irrigators, property developers, mine owners, energy companies and groups within the Murray Darling Association who want cheap water at the expense of Northern Rivers communities.

I didn't have long to wait once blind panic set in concerning possible loss of water entitlements under the proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan. It is no accident that the NSW Irrigators Council is taking an active role in opposing this plan.

The drums are now beginning to beat out a warning that the raiders have gathered once again behind the Opposition banner to pursue the divine right of kings to pillage and plunder.

Presumably the rationale for public consumption will be that coastal river diversion will ease pressure on the Murray Darling system and therefore existing water entitlements in the Basin will not have to be drastically cut in the New South Wales region.

So to those New South Wales and Federal MPs of all political persuasions who may be entertaining the idea that robbing one fragile river system to support continued unsustainable water use in a long-abused river system elsewhere; I say "Hands off our river, our environment, our cultural and aesthetic values, our local economy, our communities, our wellbeing and our children's future."

Otherwise Clarence Valley residents are very likely to declare all out war - both standing on the riverbank and lining up at the ballot box.

For a potted history of the 2006-07 campaign to save the mighty Clarence go to A Clarence Valley Protest.

UPDATE:

The Daily Examiner sounds a warning on 12 October 2010:

In the Clarence we need to be vigilant to protect our river system from those who believe a diversion of the Clarence will save the Murray Darling.
Killing the Clarence to protect another river system would simply add to the destruction.