The Victorian Government has opened up community consultation into the rules governing water trade from the Goulburn River to the Murray Valley.
A recent review identified that the current rules are not protecting the lower Goulburn River and do not provide a fair system for all water users to trade water.
Expert advice has noted that unseasonably high flows in the lower Goulburn River is causing environmental damage – destroying vegetation, river banks and fish habitat.
The community is invited to have their say and help inform changes to the rules to keep flows within environmentally sustainable limits. These changes are scheduled to be brought in by late 2020.
Victorian Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, was confident that the consultations would provide critical feedback to the State Government.
“We’re taking action to put the right rules in place for Goulburn to Murray trade.
“We’re making sure the lower Goulburn River is sustainably managed to protect its environment and the social, cultural and economic value it provides for local communities.
“I encourage the community to tell us what matters to them, and how changes to the Goulburn to Murray trade rule will affect the way they use and access water.”
This is about putting in place strong long-term rules, alongside the operating regime introduced last year to reduce flows along the Goulburn River to prevent damage to the environment.
Face to face public consultation will begin in March and will run until Wednesday, 22 April.
To review the government’s proposed trade rule options and provide feedback, visit engage.vic.gov.au
