Regulated diversion systems refer to the waterways that are controlled or regulated by water storages which release water to customers when required.
Primary land and water use data was collected from more than 200,000 hectares across eight river basins, including the Murray, Goulburn, Broken, Campaspe, Kiewa, Loddon, Ovens and Upper Murray (Mitta Mitta).
The report was produced by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority with North Central CMA and North East CMA, based on work undertaken by Goulburn-Murray Water, Agriculture Victoria and other stakeholders.
Goulburn Broken CMA acting chief executive officer Carl Walters said the report was an important piece of work which built on previous work in other Goulburn Murray Irrigation District mapping projects.
“This report helps fill in the blanks about how land and water use is changing in northern Victoria,” Mr Walters said.
He said findings from the report would inform water, agriculture and planning policies at local, state and national levels.
“The report revealed that croppers and livestock producers were the largest users of primary land and water across the surveyed area.
“While lifestyle landholders accounted for the largest number of water use licences.”
Murray Dairy’s Lachlan Barnes said the report was a critical tool to help explain the positive story of water use.
“Locals like myself that live and work in the area take for granted just how well-managed water is in the area,” Mr Barnes said.
He said the research was a critical pulse-check for the region.
“Tracking how the water is used over time provides clear insight into changes which can be analysed against policy, season, market and climate factors.
For more information, go to: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/our-region/sustainable_irrigation/land-and-water-use-mapping.html
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