ENVIRONMENT Victoria says it’s a positive sign the Victorian Government is re-engaging with the basin plan, and thinking about opportunities for water recovery “not discussed as frequently in the past decade”.
“This is the first detailed public response from Victoria to changes that passed Federal Parliament last year, which allowed the Commonwealth to start buying water again to benefit the river,” Environment Victoria rivers campaign manager Greg Foyster said.
“But we need to be clear that this is only one option, and potentially a slow one.
“While we support shutting down unnecessary or under-used irrigation channels, this shouldn’t be an excuse to delay buying water desperately needed for wetlands and wildlife.
“The Victorian Government’s request to be given details of contracts between the Commonwealth and private irrigators before they are signed is also over-the-top and unrealistic.
“It’s important to point out that most people who sell water for the benefit of the river stay in farming, only selling some of their water rights. That means they continue to use and pay for irrigation infrastructure.”
Mr Foyster said fish, frogs, birds and “our majestic” river red gums have been waiting 10 years for water that was promised under the basin plan but not delivered.
“It makes sense to purchase this water now ahead of the next drought, offering a crucial lifeline to threatened species,” he said.
“Open-tender water purchases remain the most cost-effective way to recover water for the environment and it’s disappointing to see the Victorian Government once again refusing to listen to the evidence of independent economic experts.
“We hope the Victorian Government’s new approach leads to a broader discussion about how regional communities can thrive alongside a healthy river, and what sustainable irrigation looks like in a hotter, drier climate.”
Environment Victoria is a non-government environmental campaign organisation.
