The [WILLIAM Gooden] family of Berembee, outside Wagga Wagga in southern NSW, who have waged a campaign against theprivatisation of the Snowy Hydro, were delighted at the Prime Minister’s scuppering of the plans.

Mr Gooden’s father, Mark, a councillor on Wagga Wagga Shire Council, led a spirited campaign against the plans.

WILLIAM Gooden knows one thing: without water, his family’s property would be dead.

The Gooden family of Berembee, outside Wagga Wagga in southern NSW, who have waged a campaign against the privatisation of the Snowy Hydro, were delighted at the Prime Minister’s scuppering of the plans.

And they weren’t the only ones grinning yesterday with an exuberant reaction in small towns across the Snowy Mountains and beyond. Most farmers and irrigators were opposed to the sale because of concerns over the availability and price of water.

“It’s good news,” Mr Gooden, 35, said yesterday.

“This creates confidence and removes uncertainty for the future of water availability.”

Mr Gooden’s father, Mark, a councillor on Wagga Wagga Shire Council, led a spirited campaign againsttheplans.  

“This is fantastic news,” he said. “NSW was selling it for the wrong reasons. It was a money grab,” he said.

Federal Nationals member for the Riverina Kay Hull said people had been ringing her office in tears all day.

“People have been breaking down and crying — that’s the feeling of the ownership of this icon in Australia’s history,” she said. “This is not romantic, it’s not ideological, the fact is it is the most significant part of our history. It is not for sale.”

Murray-Darling Association general manager Ray Najar said it was unfortunate the governments involved did not do their homework in the first place.

Arrogant bureaucrats had ignored the interests of irrigators. “Our members were upset over the lack of consultation, and hence thedemise of the proposal,” he said.

NSW Farmers Association president Jock Laurie said the decision showed the effectiveness of public pressure.

Opposition to the sale had been overwhelming. “Snowy Hydro has played a pivotal role in the development and identity of rural and regional communities.

“Our members were deeply concerned about water supply if the Aussie icon was sold. and the massive impact it could have on agricultural production.”

The Victorian Farmers Federation also applauded the backflip. Vice-president Simon Ramsay said the national asset should “never have been considered for privatisation”.

Also published on news.com.au as Irrigators hail certainty.