As the water crisis continues to deepen, Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has called for the redevelopment of the Menindee Storage System, near Broken Hill in western New South Wales.

“We have had numerous discussions surrounding better management practices for our water recently. However, I believe the time has come to stop giving an issue this serious nothing more than lip service,” Senator Joyce said.

“Although the facility is well positioned geographically, its design ensures it is probably one of the most inefficient storage systems in Australia.

“With an average of 80% of Queensland’s total water extraction in the Murray Darling Basin evaporating every year in the Menindee, something must be done in terms of the structure of this facility.

“There are not just storage issues at play here. The ineffective nature of this system contributes significantly to water issues further down the Murray and into South Australia.

“Let’s just stop the talk and start the development,” Senator Joyce said.