Eight peak irrigation organisations lay down conditions for supporting Snowy Hydro sale
Irrigator bodies will strongly oppose privatisation of Snowy Hydro unless existing irrigator rights to water are maintained under the proposed $3 billion public asset sell-off, reported The Land (4 May 2006, p.5).
10pc cap demanded: As opposition to the share market float of the iconic Snowy Mountains electricity and water supply business grows, southwestern water users are also demanding a 10 per cent cap on individual shareholdings and that an irrigation stakeholder committee is created.
The organisations: A meeting of eight peak irrigation organisations in Sydney laid down these conditions for supporting the sale. The meeting included representatives from the NSW Farmers Association, NSW Irrigators Council, Ricegrowers Association of Australia, Southern Riverina Irrigators Council, Murray Irrigation Ltd, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Lid, Murray Valley Water Diverters Association and the rice marketing and processing company Sunrice. NSW Farmers president, Jock Laurie, said the three points were "very strongly held" by the organisations.
The Land, 4/5/2006, p. 5