But he suggests the plan is far from all bad news.
Sir Angus, who visited Echuca recently, also said the plan had so far delivered a number of success stories.
“We’re just over halfway through the plan,” he said.
“And it is something that was put in place after agreement by the four state governments and the ACT, as well as the Federal Government.
“A plan was developed, and within the plan there are checks and balances. We did an evaluation of the plan late last year, and the plan has done a lot of things well, especially for the environment.
“So far 2100 gigalitres have been recovered for the environment, and that has seen the health of the river improve quite dramatically from the unsustainable position they were in, and I think that was a success, and everyone recognises the need to look after the environment.
“The other thing it has done is buffered the effects of the drought, so we are in a better place now than we would have been otherwise.”
Sir Angus recognised there were many concerns about the plan, but said the nature of the legislation made it difficult to change.
“The plan, because of the nature of it, is rock solid and is legislated. We have this legislation that can't be changed in any significant way without taking it back to the parliament,” he said.
“People say we’re not going to deliver the projects, such as the 605gl that won’t have to come out of irrigation because the environmental flow will be used more efficiently with engineering solutions.
“There is also the 450gl (known as the up-water, it is only to be taken if there are no negative socio-economic impacts on irrigation communities and industries), but the Federal Government has made it very clear it will not give any ground on the projects.
“The government wants people to go full-on to deliver the projects to the best of their ability.
“I have been incredibly impressed by the connections project; it demonstrates what’s possible if you apply yourself to delivering projects that will assist.
“Victoria has a number of projects, and the state is doing reasonably well, and I hope we get to the 605gl by 2024 when the plan requires it.
“The Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, says he has the money — almost $1.5 billion — and he wants us to go for it and get these projects completed.”
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