According to Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville the state government and Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) are “on the same page”, when it comes to formulating a statewide water policy.
The VFF has called for greater investment in stock and domestic water infrastructure. Ararat farmer Charlie de Fegely, who is on the newly formed VFF Stock and Domestic Water Taskforce, said this was a crucial first step in addressing a pressing issue for western Victorian farmers.
“I’m currently running half the number of stock I could if I had a secure water supply and farmers across the region are in the same boat, but imagine if we could double our stock numbers,” Mr de Fegely said.
“Those benefits would flow on to local towns and businesses through large employers such as abattoirs and trucking companies.”
The government recently announced it would build 1300kms of pipelines connecting the West Waranga channel and Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline to drought-stricken farmers in the Loddon Shire’s Wedderburn region.
Mr de Fegely said while it was important planned new water projects came to fruition, the importance of proper planning could not be understated.
“Obviously we want to see pipes in the ground but we also need to ensure the project is planned properly and the potential investment that could flow from intensive industries such as the wine grapes is well understood and considered,” Mr de Fegely said.
“The government should be commended on taking a long-term view, because these issues are with us for the long-term so we have to ensure we address them properly.”
Mr de Fegely said encouraging the government to take a long-term view on stock and domestic water issues was one of the key goals of the task force.
“The government really needs a state wide stock and domestic water strategy to direct investment and address shortages, because there sure isn’t a lack of those,” Mr de Fegely said.
He called on the Victorian Government to formulate a stock and domestic water strategy to guide investment and plan for projects to address current shortages.
Ms Neville said that was exactly what the government was doing. “We will keep working with the VFF on how we keep doing that, they are at the table in doing that with us, in writing that policy with us,” Ms Neville said.
“I am pretty confident we are on the same page with that.”