Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, has published Planning Our Basin Future Together: A prospectus to safeguard Victoria’s environments and communities across the Murray-Darling Basin.
The prospectus has been developed following extensive and meaningful engagement by, with, and for Victoria’s Basin communities. It details the next steps Victoria will take following the Federal Government’s decision to buy back up to 450GL of additional water.
The Victorian Government said it is also part of meeting Victoria’s obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Following the release of the prospectus, community engagement will continue across Victorian Basin towns, with industries and stakeholders to identify innovative new alternatives to open tender water purchases – projects and outcomes that deliver healthy waterways and resilient environments – without causing harm to communities.
The community-driven options will then form the basis of negotiations with the Federal Government on delivery, to ensure Victorian Basin communities’ priorities are front and centre in the Federal Government’s delivery of the Basin Plan.
The prospectus follows the Federal Government’s agreement that funding for Victorian environmental projects is essential to the delivery of the Basin Plan.
The Victorian Government said it remains opposed to buybacks and has not signed any agreement with the Federal Government in exchange for this funding.
The Victorian Government said it will continue to negotiate for a fair share of Federal Government funding for vital water recovery projects and confirm support for outcomes that do not create disadvantage, as the governments work together to protect every part of the Basin.
For more information about our next steps and where to get involved visit, water.vic.gov.au/our-programs/murray-darling-basin/planning-our-basin-future-together.
Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, said, “We’ve done more than any jurisdiction to return water to the environment, improve the efficient use of water, and crack down on water theft.
“Our communities know better than anyone that healthy waterways mean healthy communities and productive crops – and we will continue to work with the Commonwealth and all Basin states to innovate, collaborate, and deliver better outcomes for the entire Basin.
“We will continue our advocacy with and for Victorian communities and the environments they depend upon, while protecting households from avoidable increases to the cost of living,” Ms Shing said.
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