The head of the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) Water Council, Richard Anderson, says he’s weighing up whether to renominate for the body.
Mr Anderson’s current two-year term, representing the council’s Central North region, is about to expire.
Nominations for the Central North representative are yet to be called, but are expected to open shortly.
If an election is held, it will be finalised before the VFF June conference.
Mr Anderson has been the council chair since 2006.
“I would normally come up this year for the general election, to get on the committee,” Mr Anderson said.
“I have to decide, between now and then, whether I nominate.
“I’m leaning towards it because there is still a lot of unfinished business.
“We have nowhere near finished the Murray Darling Basin Plan, there’s the Goulburn Murray Water Connections program and Water for Victoria.”
He said his role was one of an influencer.
“You never know how successful you have been, until you get an outcome,” he said.
VFF president David Jochinke said while it would not be right for him to endorse any particular candidate, he was thankful for members who stood for positions within the organisation.
“Without them, we wouldn’t get policy developed,” Mr Jochinke said.
“We wouldn’t have the voice we have in government and industry.
“I would encourage anyone and everyone to apply.”
He said Mr Anderson was an asset to his region and water policy in general.
Mr Anderson said if he stood again, and was successful, he would serve until 2020.
But new succession rules meant he would be ineligible to stand again.
“I would fall into the category of being there too long,” he said.
It was up to his fellow water council members to determine whether or not he remained as chairman of the council.
“If I feel they don’t want me anymore or need me anymore, I won’t shed any tears over it,” he said.
“There is life after Water Council.”