Clyde definitely cannot be blamed for selling pre-auction to an offer that obviously came in above their valuers' appraisals on what they might achieve for the property. It is the whole ideology of the water buyback plan that is false. By the time Toorale station gets water, the rivers are in flood because a lot of their water entitlements are based on overland flow capture. Typical Kevin Rudd and Labor party policy. Whilst world financial circumstances are dire, is it any coincidence that a Labor government comes to power to preside over economically tough times?!

My family have farmed their Darling River property since 1939 - it is situated between Tilpa and Wilcannia downstream from the Warrego (Toorale is on the Warrego). It has been many years since the red water from the Warrego has flowed through our property. It will be lovely to have this balance of red water flowing through our property once again. I believe that the rivers have to "run" so this can be the beginning of creating a healthy Murray Darling river system into the 21st century.

Re the organic v convention produce poll, it's amusing to see the organic option put on a spurt of about 400 votes overnight to hit the front, after trailing miserably all week. Looks like the mung bean eaters were aghast and were stung into action. (Repeat voting??)

I wonder when so called brains of this country will realise that rivers run dry at the head first.

"Clyde Agriculture managing director John McKillop says buying cotton properties, like Toorale or Cubbie Station, is not going to save the Murray-Darling river system". Oh so very true.....but given the alternative of a blanket reduction in total annual diversions by reducing the CAP....which would you prefer, sunshine? A couple of property owners walk away with a top dollar return on their asset while the rest get to farm another day OR the entire community is equitably kneecapped.....despite the inevitable offer of grants to be more efficient....which no-one can afford because you need to match the Goverment's investment and you have to borrow that and have you seen the cost & availability of credit at the moment..... Frankly, purchasing properties is a viable option......but it isn't a solution in itself...much more has to be done. Purchasing Toorale wasn't a good value investment from the Government's point of view...but given that they could've simply withdrawn their irrigation licence, taken the water and said to hell with Clyde.....it probably wasn't a bad option.

All this buying of properties talk by the government is wrong..if they continue to try and buy properties then the bush will suffer..loss of Jobs. The reason that the Murray is dry is because we are still in one of the biggest droughts in History..in droughts it does not rain much..so how are rivers suppose to run..der..you do not have to be einstein to work it out..when the rains return...the rivers will flow.

Too bad the water bought back is already earmarked to be used in Queensland before it even gets to the border. Thanks for nothin' Qld.

The reason McClure and Daughters have not seen any red Warrego water in recent years is simple. Either there hasn't been any or when there have been very occassional flows they have has been diluted by coinciding good (albeit short lived) flows in the Darling. Why is it that we humans always want to blame human actions for what are natural events? Lack of water flows and global warming are good examples. McClure and Daughters can sleep easily in the knowledge that Toorale has not held back Warrego water from the Darling when there are not already good flows in that river. The licenses do not allow it and have been strictly adhered to.