Danny O’Brien calls for state Government to explain why some of the 10,000 megalitres of water savings should go to the environment
The Andrews Labor Government has decided to deliver some savings from irrigation upgrades to the environment with the balance given to local farmers. The MID 2030 Phase 2 project is to be funded jointly between the Federal Government, State Government and local irrigators, and will deliver around 10,000 megalitres of water savings.
Danny O’Brien was unhappy to discover only recently that the State Government wants to send its share of those savings to environmental flows rather than returning it all to the productive pool where it will be used by local irrigators.
Gippsland Nationals MP’s are calling on the Government to explain and justify its decision. “This project has always been funded on a three-way basis between both levels of government and irrigators and the savings returned for irrigators to buy to expand their operations or for new entrants to come into the market,” said Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull.
“At no stage through previous rounds or in announcing its $10 million contribution back in May, did the Government ever suggest that it wanted its share of savings to go to the environment.” The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said the Government needed to explain the need for more environmental water.
“It’s our understanding that current environmental flows in the region have been deemed adequate. If this is not the case, then the Andrews Labor Government needs to publicly explain to irrigators who are helping to fund this project why more water is needed for the environment.”
Should we give any of the water allocation to the environment?
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