Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water today reaffirmed the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to the irrigators in Macalister by pledging $20 million to the next stage of the Macalister Irrigation Project.
Minister Neville who visited Malmo Dairy Farm in Tinamba, said the Labor Government would provide this funding through the $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund that will be established following the successful passage of the Port of Melbourne lease legislation through Parliament.
The project will modernise the Southern Tinamba supply area within the Macalister Irrigation District by converting approximately 85km of manually operated earthen irrigation channel to approximately 38km of pipe and 32km of automated channel. Approximately 9,700ml of water savings for agricultural use will be generated and 170 customers will be connected to a modernised water supply system.
The announcement comes as part of the Government’s launch of its Regional Statement and outline of its commitment to rural and regional Victorians.
A key focus of the Statement is the establishment of nine new Regional Partnerships across the state, with representatives from community, business and all three levels of government.
The new Gippsland region will have its own Regional Partnership ensuring government decisions and investments reflect the priorities of the families, workers and businesses in Gippsland.
The Government will work with the Gippsland region to address key challenges, including:
- Improving social and economic opportunities while tackling high localised levels of unemployment
- Improving health in the Latrobe Valley, through place-based initiatives under the Public Health and Wellbeing plan
- Identify opportunities for environmental protection and enhancement that will support new and improved existing nature based tourism opportunities in the region.
The Regional Statement is available online at , along with details of the Labor Government’s commitments and projects currently underway to support the Gippsland region.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville
“The Macalister Irrigation District contributes in excess of $500 million through dairy, vegetable production, cropping and beef cattle to the Gippsland economy.”
“We want to see this region continue to prosper, therefore will commit $20 million through the Agriculture Fund.”
“Gippsland’s new Regional Partnership gives us an opportunity to explore how we can really sell Gippsland’s iconic assets such as Gippsland Lakes and Phillip Island Nature Park.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021