Less than a year after his appointment, Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) managing director John Calleja has stepped down from the position.
And irrigators covered by G-MW’s troubled Connections Project say it may now be time for the whole board to join him.
Mr Calleja was formally appointed as the head of the G-MW in June last year, after being appointed as chief financial officer in 2011, board chair Sarah Scales said.
“The Board acknowledges John’s achievements over the last five years,” Ms Scales said.
“These achievements include his role in transitioning the Connections Project and driving more than $12 million in G-MW business efficiencies.
“His financial leadership and this efficiency drive has allowed G-MW to set water prices that are four per cent lower than forecast, and deliver a debt level that is $100 million lower than forecast in our previous water plan.”
G-MW is one of Australia's largest water authorities delivering irrigation water to most of northern Victoria.
It was removed from managing the troubled $2 billion Connections irrigation upgrade in March.
The Connections Project aimed to upgrade century-old irrigation infrastructure, saving water, which was then expected to go back to the environment.
A project control group, led by consultant Mike Walsh, took over management of Connections, reporting directly to Water Minister Lisa Neville.
But Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) water council chair Richard Anderson said it appeared Mr Calleja was “under a fair bit of pressure” over Connections and pricing.
“Is there something else we don’t know about?,” Mr Anderson said.
He said the board needed to appoint a new managing director who would listen to irrigators and accept more local input.
“We have to move on; we have a Connections program that needs to be finished, certain things that need to be done – but how much money have they got left and what are they going to do with that money?”
Irrigators have raised concerns about the slow roll-out of Connections, inadequate and inappropriate infrastructure and failure to provide water when it was needed.
Loddon Valley mixed farmer Ken Pattison, Fernihurst, said there were hundreds of properties that would not have their irrigation connection fixed due to the shortfall of money, left to finish Connections.
“How can you tariff those properties, if they are not going to get the benefits, of so-called modernisaiton?” he said.
The project promised higher and more consistent water flows.
“It hasn’t achieved any of those, it hasn’t ticked any of the boxes, promised under the expenditure of $2 billion.”
Another strident critic, Durham Ox irrigator Murray Haw, said it might be time for the board to follow Mr Calleja and resign.
He said producers did not know how bad the full story was.
“The leopard still has the same spots – he’s probably the fall guy,” Mr Haw said.
“G-MW really is just disconnected from their irrigators and it’s staff don’t have a proper handle on what’s going on.
“Maybe the only solution is to reduce the size of the organisation and straighten it out.”
And Mr Pattison also agreed the board should be replaced.
“The disconnect between G-MW and its customers is unbelievable,” he said.
Minister Neville said Mr Calleja’s departure was a matter between him and the board.
"In relation to the Connections Project itself, this will not impact on the delivery of the project and provides an opportunity to continue the reset process,” Ms Neville said.
"My focus is on ensuring we deliver for the region to make sure the benefits of this legacy project are fully realised for the regional economy, local communities and the environment."
G-MW has been contacted for comment about the future of the board.