MODELLING presented two realistic buyback scenarios – returning 302GL or 683GL of water – both of which would cause "irreversible" damage to dairy farmers, dairy processors and dairy communities, according to Australian Dairy Industry Council chair Ben Bennett.

"The report has found buybacks would reduce the consumptive water pool by seven to 16 per cent, pushing water allocation prices up by 17 to 40 per cent, especially during dry years," Mr Bennett s