Victorian irrigators have a new water direction for the next decade. The state government has unveiled its finished Water for Victoria plan, but will it lead to greater water security for farmers and more investment in rural and regional water infrastructure?
The Victorian Farmers Federation has been engaged in developing the plan.
We’ve put our concerns to government, and it’s encouraging to see them take those concerns on board.
Dedicated readers who want to plough through the water plan itself can see them.
We advocated improving flexibility for licence holders on unregulated streams to take water during high flow periods; committing to consult with water users on the conversion of take and use licences in unregulated northern Victorian systems; and exploring options to improve water security of peri-urban irrigation districts through recycled water and a trial of a southern water market.
All of these are wins for the VFF and for irrigators. But we hope this is just the start.
The plan acknowledges water challenges farmers know too well, and it sets the scene for government to invest in expanding rural water supply systems and modernising existing systems.
There are a number of water projects in Victoria at feasibility and business case stage. We hope the water plan will lead to government investment in the capital component of these projects.
Our towns and cities are growing, and competition for water will increase. Farmers need surety of supply so they can invest in their business and it is vital that farmer interests are considered in urban water decision making.
The plan offers a clear commitment to strengthen Victoria’s water entitlement framework, protecting irrigators’ water entitlements, and we’ll work hard to ensure water for agriculture is protected from urban water users.
The water plan identifies key challenges faced by the agricultural industry including irrigation district viability and the security of stock water supplies across the state.
These challenges need practical action. The VFF will work with government to tackle these issues.
We’re committed to ensuring the water plan is rolled out to support the interests of rural water users.
Richard Anderson, VFF Water Council chairman