Murray-Darling Basin plan in chaos as Victoria and NSW oppose further water buybacks

A view of a sluggish Murray River in 2007. The water commitments made in the plan are needed to control salinity, environmental campaigner Tyler Rotche says. ‘It has happened in the past.’ Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

A meeting of water ministers has descended into acrimony over the final stage of the $13bn Murray-Darling Basin plan, with Victoria and New South Wales joining forces to oppose further buybacks of water and demanding two more years to deliver.

The fiery meeting in Sydney ended with little progress.