Ms Shing has re-assured irrigators that the Victorian Government remains opposed to water buybacks and acknowledged the “heavy lifting” that Victoria had engaged in for water recovery.
She explained that an agreement had been reached with the Commonwealth to fund the Victorian floodplain restoration projects.
About a dozen water stakeholders attended the meeting in Echuca on Friday, April 19.
Country News understands the minister was disappointed no Ministerial Council meeting has been held between basin states and she told the meeting she remains committed to Victoria attending the next meeting if and when it is scheduled.
The Victorian Government is working on a document that looks at Victoria’s next steps on basin plan implementation.
VFF Water Council chair Andrew Leahy attended the meeting and said it was great for the minister to be in the region and listening to the concerns of rural communities.
“It was reassuring to hear first-hand that Victoria has not signed up to the Commonwealth’s September agreement on the basin plan that allows for buybacks, Victoria remains opposed to water buybacks,” Mr Leahy said.
“The VFF made it clear that rural communities are looking for certainty and the importance of agriculture and producing food cannot be ignored.”
Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said earlier this month she had a commitment from Ms Shing that Victoria would not take legal action against water buybacks.
And she had a “commitment” from Victoria to progress water recovery.
“This commitment unlocks for Victoria the full range of water recovery options already available to other basin states,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Victoria’s commitment announced today will allow for similar opportunities over the coming months, and will allow us to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full in coming years.”
She has framed the discussions as Victoria “coming on board” and “Victoria had made it clear in writing that they understand that the Restoring our Rivers Bill applies to every state and territory covered by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, and it includes the full delivery of the plan, including the 450 Gl ...”
The organisations represented at last week’s Echuca meeting included the VFF, Goulburn-Murray Water, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, and the new Dairy Farmers Victoria farmer group.
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