Joint media release: Government gets to work delivering on Basin commitments

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Harriet Shing MP, Victorian Minister for Water

The Australian Government today announced $37.9 million towards the Lower Murray Water Efficiency project to better equip the Sunraysia water delivery network to combat a changing climate.

This project delivers 2.5 Gigalitres (GL) of water savings back to the environment, First Nations Peoples and securing urban water supply.

The Victorian Lower Murray Water Efficiency project in Mildura, will see water savings flowing to the environment under the Murray Darling Basin Plan without taking water from farmers.

The project demonstrates action towards delivering on the Australian Government’s water commitments and Victoria’s obligations under the Plan. The project went to consultation in November 2021, which showed support for the project and the socio-economic benefits it will bring to the region.

The project includes earth works to refurbish over 27km of irrigation supply channels, and the replacement or decommissioning of approximately 700 stock, domestic and dethridge meters.

It will provide a more secure water supply infrastructure for nearly 5,000 irrigators in the Lower Murray Water Irrigation District and create an estimated 110 local construction and project delivery jobs.

In an important first, a portion of water savings retained by Victoria will be provided to First Nations communities, a key step towards the Australian and Victorian Government’s water commitments, including an increase to First Nations participation and water ownership.

Projects under the State Led Off-Farm Efficiency Program are proposed by states in partnership with irrigation infrastructure operators and submitted to the Commonwealth for assessment and approval.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:

“As the new Commonwealth Water Minister, I am taking my first tour this week to the Basin to hear directly from stakeholders.

“The Basin jurisdictions came together 10 years ago to agree and adopt the Murray Darling Basin Plan. It’s now time we deliver on that Plan as it was intended.

“Today, the Australian Government also takes a small but important first step towards our commitment to increase cultural water ownership and participation, ultimately taking another step towards reconciliation.

“It will also provide a more secure water supply infrastructure for nearly 5,000 irrigators in the Lower Murray Water Irrigation District and create an estimated 110 local construction and project delivery jobs.

“I thank the Victorian Government for laying the important groundwork to make today’s announcement possible.”

Quotes attributable to the Victorian Minister for Water, Hon Harriet Shing MP:

“Victoria welcomes this decision and looks forward to working with the Commonwealth on delivering this project and its benefits for northern Victoria”

“This program will provide a modernised water network infrastructure that can deliver water for the environment without impacting water supply for Victorian farmers.”

“Our focus is on delivering our Basin Plan commitments through investments in infrastructure that save water.”

“This investment will generate jobs, improve the delivery of water to farms and increase the productivity and efficiency of the system.”

“This project will provide annual water savings towards environmental outcomes, urban water security as well as benefits to Traditional Owners.”

For more information on the entire $1.54 billion Off-farm Efficiency Program, visit: Off-farm Efficiency Program - DCCEEW.

Quotes attributable to Grant Rigney, Chair Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN):

“Allocating a negotiated share of OFEP savings to Traditional Owners provides upfront certainty on process and sets clear expectations for water users, stakeholders and communities.

“It also strengthens, and provides pathways for delivering, the commitment of Basin government to Traditional Owners owning and managing water in the Basin”.

“Collaborating with the Victorian government to co-design this approach for water return has set an important precedent which can be replicated in other Basin States.

“Together we can realise grassroots, Nation owned water entitlements for uses that are determined by Nations themselves (including economic purposes) allowing for self-determination.

“This approach provides all Basin States with one example of a clear pathway towards restorative water justice for Traditional Owners in a way that is clearly driven and desired by Traditional Owners.

“It fundamentally recognises the custodial rights and obligations of Nations to care for Country. As clearly demonstrated in Victoria, such returns of water do not need to affect the rights (including entitlements) of other water users or costs to users”