Murray Floodplain Restoration Project Begins
15 July 2019
The Andrews Labor Government has
secured $29 million in Commonwealth funding, enabling the first stage of
the
Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project to get underway.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville said the project would contribute to
environmental outcomes of the Murray Darling Basin Plan – delivering
ecological benefits to
wetlands, native fish, birds and plants at nine
sites along the Murray River in northern
Victoria, helping to
drought-proof precious
floodplains and wetlands.
The initial stage of the Project will include designs, approvals,
operating and monitoring plans and other pre-construction activities for
regulators, pipes and pumps to
water wetlands and floodplains at each site.
This will allow environmental water to be delivered efficiently into
floodplains, replicating big floods without flooding towns and requiring
high flows in the Murray River.
All sites are part of the agreed package of Sustainable Diversion Limit
adjustment projects that, together, will reduce the Basin Plan’s water
recovery target by 605 gigalitres.
This means the project will also protect farmers and irrigators, as it
will improve the
environment without further water buybacks – a win-win for the Basin
and communities.
The sites include Gunbower National Park, Guttrum and Benwell Forests,
Nyah and Vinifera Parks, Burra Creek, Belsar-Yungera Island, Hattah
Lakes North, and Wallpolla and Lindsay Islands. The estimated
construction cost of the Project is more than $300 million.
Community engagement and consultation will commence shortly to allow
Traditional Owners, key stakeholders and the community to shape the
proposal for each site.
This Project will be delivered collaboratively by a regional partnership
coordinated by Lower Murray Water and supported by Goulburn Murray
Water, Mallee Catchment Management Authority, North Central Catchment
Management Authority and Parks Victoria.
A new Project Control Group has been set up to oversee delivery. Carey
Anderson has been appointed as the Chair and Josh White as Project
Director. Both have extensive experience in the construction and water
industries. The major tender for the project will be awarded soon.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“We’re delivering the Murray Darling Basin Plan – investing in
initiatives that have environmental benefits without negatively
impacting our communities.”
“Our environmental works projects will create millions of dollars of
investment in regional Victoria and help deliver real benefits under the
Basin Plan by helping to drought-proof our precious floodplains and
wetlands without taking more water off farmers.”
“This is about delivering on our commitments to the Murray-Darling Basin
Plan while balancing the needs of all Victorian water users – the
environment, farmers, Traditional Owners and community.”
--ENDS--
Source: Victorian Government - www.premier.vic.gov.au
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