The Andrews Labor Government is on track to meet its commitments under the Water for Victoria plan.
Minister Neville provided an update on the Labor Government’s strategy through the Delivering Water for Victoria progress report at a conference of water sector stakeholders last night.
The progress report shows that 14 of the Plan’s 69 actions for government have been completed – 10 of which are now become part of regular operations – and all are in progress.
As part of this process, we’ve delivered record funding for waterway and catchment health through a $222 million investment from 2016-2020 so far improving over 1,500 kilometres of waterways and over 2,600 hectares of riparian land.
We’ve built infrastructure to expand the water grid and modernise irrigation systems across regional and rural Victoria. This will mean building resilience for a drier future and meeting the water demands of a growing population.
In addition, the Labor Government established a dedicated Aboriginal Water Program and released $2 million of grant funding to support greater Aboriginal involvement in water management.
This program will also improve access for Aboriginal people to water for economic development and use Aboriginal traditional ecological knowledge and Aboriginal assessment of waterways, employing Aboriginal Water Officers.
Upgrades to rural water systems in places like Wedderburn, Werribee, Bacchus Marsh, Lance Creek, MacAlister, Mitiamo and East Grampians – totalling more than $146 million – will secure the future for Victoria’s high-value agriculture and horticulture, while also protecting the environment.
We’ve also successfully reset the $2 billion Connections Project in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.
The Delivering Water for Victoria progress report is available at: .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“Water for Victoria is the first holistic water plan for a decade. It sets us on our way to deal with new challenges we’re facing to secure water for generations.”
“Victoria is taking the lead on tackling climate change and we’re proud to work with communities and the water sector to deliver a sustainable framework for our future.”
“The progress of our plan will ensure our water sector is well placed to meet the challenges of climate change and guarantee safe, affordable and reliable water.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020