Mayors and chief executives from the MRGC, of which Campaspe and Gannawarra shire councils are members, were briefed on the recently released Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper.
MRGC chair Stuart King said the meeting reflected the significance of the review for communities across northern Victoria.
“The basin plan has impacted our communities, our agriculture sector and our industries, and it will continue to do so,” he said.
“This is a rare opportunity to improve the plan for the next decade.”
Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive Andrew McConville and senior staff advised the group, noting environmental water holders now controlled 27 per cent of basin water entitlements, valued at around $11 billion.
The review is an opportunity to decide how the water can best be used to to ensure rivers and wetlands are healthy, even in a hotter, drier future.
Cr King noted that agriculture, food production and basin communities were largely absent from the discussion paper, a point acknowledged by Mr McConville.
“Over the life of the basin plan, the transfer of around one quarter of water entitlements out of irrigation has had profound impacts on our communities,” Cr King said.
“The MRGC region generates $8.3 billion in food each year, supporting thousands of regional jobs and contributing significantly to Victoria’s economy and Australia’s food security.”
Members called for the next phase of the plan to move beyond water recovery, and focus on environmental outcomes by maximising the $11 billion environmental water asset already secured.
Cr King said investment in modernising ageing dams and weirs across the basin should be prioritised, rather than purchasing extra water.
Public submissions on the basin plan review are open until 5pm on May 1, with more information at mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan-review
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