The Andrews Labor Government today released a report on the consultation process designed to capture community input into the reset of Goulburn Murray Water’s Connections Project.
Minister for Environment Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville today also announced the establishment of a Project Control Group, chaired by Mike Walsh, and a Stakeholder Consultative Committee to drive change and streamline decisions in a way that ensures local knowledge is embedded in every step of the process.
The new Control Group guarantees that there is new expertise involved in resetting the Connections Project with strong, clear links to local knowledge. The group will report directly to the Minister and the Goulburn Murray Water board.
Ms Neville released the report while attending a Victorian Farmers Federation forum in Echuca.
It highlights strong support among irrigators and local stakeholders for authorities to get on and deliver the Project, and follows the Labor Government’s commitment last year to consult the region’s irrigators and local stakeholders to help reset the Connections Project.
The consultation process was extensive with many people taking the opportunity to express their views about what is working, what isn’t, and what they wanted to see happen to drive the project forward.
Feedback from more than 200 water users was obtained during open day sessions in Numurkah, Shepparton, Kyabram, Rochester, Kerang and Boort.
The Primary Agency report is available at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville
“This is the most significant irrigation infrastructure upgrade in Victoria’s history and it’s clear that what local communities want is for us to get on with delivering this vital project.”
“It’s clear no one wants to see the project abandoned. We understand this process has been complex, but we will work together to ensure this project’s success and deliver benefits for the whole community.”
“This is a legacy project to secure the prosperity of the region for future generations – saving water for the environment, investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the region and making farming more productive.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020