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NSW government urged to act on Yenda flood dispute

The man heading a possible class action against Murrumbidgee Irrigation says the New South Wales government should intervene to have the dispute resolved.

Griffith City Council candidate, Paul Rosetto says because several shires were hit in the flood, the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority should also be investigating.

The State Emergency Service says Murrumbidgee Irrigation's refusal to hand over hydrological data leaves it in an invidious position trying to prepare new flood plans for the area.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation has refused to comment publicly, citing the threat of legal action.

Mr Rosetto says MI has been given legal immunity by the state over the flooding at Yenda, but the state could intervene.

"I've been urging Adrian Piccoli to jump in and help us," he said.

"The way it's heading, the NSW Government, having made the laws that protect Murrumbidgee Irrigation and also Griffith City Shire Council under immunity, legal immunity, the state government can actually jump in and solve this problem rather quickly if they had the motivation," said Mr Rosetto.

Another Griffith City Council candidate, John Dal Broi, has called for the former state owned Murrumbidgee Irrigation to end its silence about the flooding at Yenda.

Mr Dal Broi says he appreciates MI's legal concerns, but dialogue is needed.

"Generally it is water from heaven, but in this case, the bank was breached and it was MI's water," said Mr Dal Broi.

"MI should be not admitting guilt but saying 'this event happened'," he said.

"And they should give us some examples of how they intend to, if another event happens, what they can do to alleviate the problem."

"You know it was a government instrumentality. It was Water Resources before MI and that was a state government authority," said Mr Dal Broi.


- ABC

© ABC 2012

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