The MRGC - which includes the Campaspe Shire Council - said a meeting between ministers at both state and federal level had failed to deliver a plan for key projects.
The projects are supposed to deliver 650gl of environmental benefits.
But MRGC chair Cr Jason Modica of Mildura said there needed to be a contingency plan for the event of shortfalls in water, which would be the responsibility of the Commonwealth.
“We are still waiting to see a plan for what the Commonwealth is going to do if oneor more of these projects fails to deliver the offsets they are meant to,” Cr Modica said.
“That leaves our communities in northern Victoria uncertain and unable to plan withconfidence.
“It leaves questions about how our critical wetlands will be restored and howenvironmental water will be delivered, and it leaves irrigators worried about how theCommonwealth will deliver the plan on time.”
Cr Modica said the projects were essential in the plan.
“These projects will water parts of the floodplain that would otherwise miss out,except in significant flood-years” he said.
“They are really important projects delivering environmental benefits to our wetlands.
“We know many are on track, but the timelines are very tight. We also know thatsome of these projects will not be finished by the legislated deadline for waterrecovery.”
Cr Modica said a change to the deadline would be the ideal outcome for all involved.
“The best thing to do would be to extend the 2024 deadline for those projects that are reliant on more detailed scientific and community co-design work,” he said.
“We understand that would mean a legislative change.
“If that is too hard, then come up with an alternative plan that will address the reality that some of these important projects won’t be finished in time, but please, let our communities know so they can plan for the future”.
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