Meetings are being held, positions taken, reports released.
To try to sift through the mass of information circulating in water circles, Country News has compiled a summary guide. The full stories are published in this week’s Country News and online at: https://countrynews.com.au
REPORT LOOSENS CONSTRAINTS
The Victorian Government appointed a committee, largely of Goulburn catchment people, to prepare a report on how constraints could be relaxed along the river, to allow minor flooding to replicate natural conditions.
The 150-page report (and 10 technical reports) is now out with a range of recommendations and findings. The committee was chaired by former National Party leader Pat McNamara.
More information: Victorian Constraints Measures Program (water.vic.gov.au)
WATER MINISTERS MEET
State and Commonwealth water ministers ‘met’ online for a brief discussion on how water recovery was going.
To read an agreed communiqué issued after the meeting, go to: Communiques - DCCEEW
INDIGENOUS WATER FUND CREATED
The Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program makes $100 million available to buy water in the Murray-Darling Basin, with Traditional Owners representatives to determine how the money is spent.
An interim governance body has been set up by Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, so water entitlements can be purchased before a permanent body is established.
For more, go to: Interim governance of the Murray–Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program - DCCEEW
ENVIRONMENTAL WATER PLANS PUBLISHED
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder has released the Seasonal Watering Plan 2024-25, which details how environmental water will be used to build resilience in rivers and wetlands to support plants and animals ahead of the next dry period.
“High storage levels will provide good water supplies for planned environmental watering actions across Victoria in 2024-25,” said Dr Sarina Loo, VEWH CEO.
See: Seasonal Watering Plan 2024-25 – Download the Victorian plan or regional sections
WATERTABLES ARE RISING
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority has drawn attention to rising watertables in the Shepparton Irrigation Region, pointing to the latest map.
The CMA is urging landholders not to forget that, although great advances have been made in salinity control since the 1980s, vigilance is important.
NORTH AND SOUTH SHARE RESPONSIBILITY
Environmental flows originating from the northern Murray-Darling Basin will be protected from alternative uses as they go through the river system to the sea, under a trial which finished recently.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Dr Simon Banks, said held water for the environment must be truly protected between the northern and southern basin and highlighted the importance of the shared responsibility of addressing water quality issues in the basin.
Southern Riverina Irrigators CEO Sophie Baldwin said currently water is re-regulated at Menindee and shared between NSW and Victorian Murray — changing this rule, without a quid pro quo, will have dire impacts on the productive pool.
DAIRY SHORT CHANGED IN ABARES REPORT
The Federal Government has been accused of ignoring the impact changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan will have on the dairy industry.
VFF UDV president Bernie Free said data used by the Federal Government to justify its transition support in the face of water buybacks did not go far enough in demonstrating the real impact on milk production in northern Victoria.
“The Commonwealth’s ABARES report found if they buy 225,000 Ml of water there would be $110 million lost each year in production. This is substantially underestimated for three reasons,” Mr Free said.
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