The Victorian Government is delivering more water for Gippsland farmers, Traditional Owners and improving the health of the Latrobe River through the reallocation of water resources.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney has announced 16 gigalitres of water for farming, the environment, and Traditional Owners in the Latrobe Valley.
“I’m so pleased to announce this reallocation of water, which is a win-win-win for Gippsland. This change ensures more water supply within Gippsland to support the environment, farming, and Traditional Owners,” she said.
This water was previously set aside for power generation but is now unused and has been reallocated. The 16 gigalitres will be shared equally between agriculture, Traditional Owners, and the environment.
“Returning water to Traditional Owners in Gippsland means that they can determine what it’s used for and continue their ongoing connection to land and waters,” Minister for Treaty Natalie Hutchins said.
Additional water for environmental flows will improve the health of the Latrobe River and the Gippsland Lakes system downstream.
“We are backing farmers in the Latrobe Valley by making sure more water entitlements are made available to support greater agricultural production and more local jobs,” Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said.
“This allocation of water for the environment will play an important role in improving the health of one of Gippsland’s iconic rivers with additional benefits for communities and the Gippsland Lakes,” West Gippsland CMA Board Chair Mikaela Power said.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation will have access to additional water for self-determined cultural uses.
“Water is more than a resource; it’s a pathway to healing and a stronger future for our people. This allocation recognises the Gunaikurnai People’s enduring connection to Country, and our right to lead how water is respectfully managed and shared,” Chair of Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Troy McDonald, said.
Southern Rural Water will make additional water available to farmers. Agriculture supports thousands of jobs in Gippsland, and the availability of more water licences will help boost the local economy.
“Having more water available for farming benefits everyone, from irrigators looking to improve their water security or expand their operations to farmers looking to set up in the region,” said Latrobe River irrigator Angus Zilm.
This water allocation is known as the Latrobe 3-4 Bench Bulk Water Entitlement. It was originally allocated in 1996 for coal-fired power generation.
The decision to reallocate 16 gigalitres of the 25 gigalitre water entitlement was made through the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy.
The government will retain the remaining 9 gigalitres of the entitlement to provide continued flexibility to respond to emerging needs in Gippsland.
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