The Greens are urging the Federal Government to purchase water licences held by agriculture giant Timbercorp to throw the lower Murray a lifeline.

Timbercorp, one of Australia’s largest agribusinesses which is thought to hold rights to about 100,000 megalitres of water in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, went into voluntary administration last week.

“This is a golden opportunity to throw the Murray a lifeline,” said Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

“In particular, securing and allocating water from these licences for environmental flows would make a real difference to the health of the lower Murray, including the Lakes.

“The Federal Government must step in with an offer to purchase Timbercorp’s water licences as a matter of urgency, to give the river the drink it so desperately needs.”