The Andrews Labor Government will protect our rivers and waterways, improve the health of agricultural land and help farmers manage water use more efficiently.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provides an additional $45 million to strengthen Victoria’s water resources so communities can grow.
This includes $3.9 million in grant assistance for sustainable projects to manage on-farm irrigation to help farmers improve their irrigation practices in line with the Murray Darling Basin Agreement.
To achieve further water savings, the Budget also provides for irrigation infrastructure projects, such as GMW Connections and Sunraysia Modernisation, to continue by making changes that will encourage further investment from the Commonwealth.
The Budget also provides $10 million to improve important riparian land across regional Victoria, funding environmental works and fencing near rivers and waterways to help manage stock, encourage revegetation and improve the health of the land.
Farmers and communities in the regions rely on the health of Victoria’s rivers and waterways. The Budget invests $3 million to acquire 8GL of water to replenish the Thomson River and $2.5 million to protect the health of the Gippsland Lakes with practical works on the ground.
Many of Victoria’s wetlands and estuaries are under threat. Restoration works in affected areas and awareness campaigns to change community behaviour will improve their health and resilience, and create local jobs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Water, Lisa Neville
“Families and communities in regional Victoria rely on the health of our rivers and waterways.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is investing in water resources to support farmers on the land and help them save water, cut costs and protect our environment.”
“We have a lot of work to do to repair the damage from the previous Liberal Government’s chronic underspending in environmental water programs but we’re getting on with it.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020