The Brumby Labor Government will invest $1.9 million to improve the health of rivers and irrigation practices in the Mallee Region.
Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad today announced the funding for the Mallee Catchment Management Authority to implement a wide range of water programs.
“The Mallee Region is home to many significant rivers and ecosystems providing water for homes, towns, farms and businesses,” Ms Broad said.
“The funding will go to projects for priority river health activities and/or sustainable irrigation practices on high value waterways to improve stream condition.”
The projects include:
- 3 sustainable irrigation projects, 4 river health projects
- Large scale river restoration in the Mallee building on previously implemented land and waterway works along high priority reaches. Eg. Murray River corridor
- Improve riparian health and aquatic habitats on priority reaches of rivers in Mallee
- Ongoing support and training of the community volunteer programs and other river and wetland health related education and community awareness initiatives in the Victorian Mallee
- Salinity projects to assist Victoria in its compliance of the Murray Darling Basin Salinity Management Strategy
- Adoption of Irrigation best management practices to foster long term practices and attitude change that builds upon targeted ground work to achieve reductions in drainage and salt impacts
- Program to assist irrigators with implementation of a modernised irrigation system in Sunraysia region
Ms Broad said the funding is part of $37 million dollars for Catchment Management Authority Regions across the state to improve river health and encourage sustainable irrigation practices and part of a larger government commitment of around $65 million for investment in regional Victoria.
“An added benefit of these projects is job security in local regions. The Catchment Management Authorities are partnering with community and landholder groups to achieve water savings and environmental benefits,” Ms Broad said.
“River health and smarter use of irrigation water are priorities outlined in the Brumby Labor Government’s Our Water Our Future water plan.
“We are working together to save water, create new water through desalination, develop a pipeline system to move water to where it is needed most and create a more sustainable Victoria for future generations.”
Government funding in previous years has restored the health of thousands of kilometres of waterways, provided specialist habitat for animals and plant life, and protected and enhanced wetlands.