Government’s Connections water plan is complete

The flow-on effect from the Government’s Connections irrigation project for local communities has been huge, writes Victoria’s Water Minister Lisa Neville.

Water Minister Lisa Neville says the flow-on effect from the Government’s Connections project for local communities has been huge. Picture by NCA NewsWire/Wayne Taylor

The Victorian Government’s largest irrigation modernisation project — Connections — is complete.

The $2 billion project has achieved the target of 429 gigalitres of water savings, within budget and as scheduled under the reset.

It has not just modernised irrigation networks across the GMID, it has created thousands of local jobs, boosted the regional economy, and met Victoria’s legal obligations under the Basin Plan without buybacks.

A major project like this always has difficulties and I thank irrigators and the community for working through these with the Connections team and Goulburn Murray Water to ensure the sustainable future of irrigated agriculture in the GMID for generations to come.

Since I reset the project in 2016, the project has created more than 800 local jobs annually, resulting in an annual increase in the regional GDP of about $170 million and 7600 irrigators have an improved, more efficient delivery system.

Being able to order water from your smart phone as opposed to getting out of bed in the middle of the night to open a Dethridge wheel is a game changer.

Many have seen the benefits of reduced operating costs with reconfigured systems that are fit for purpose; the ability to save costs and control irrigation through automation and smart technology; and consistent flows on time and on schedule to provide an immediate response to variable weather.

We know that not all the new meters are used every year, but over the past 10-12 years, 97 per cent have been in use.

The Connections Project has delivered an ambitious work program that has included:

9500 meters installed.

5650 meters rationalised.

MORE than 1700km channels decommissioned.

MORE than 300km channels remediated.

Importantly we’re working on another opportunity in the region, GMW Water Efficiency Project. This is separate and in addition to Connections, but will again meet our Basin plan obligations through water savings. About 16 gigalitres of savings will be achieved through reduced system losses, not from Commonwealth buybacks.

The $177.5 million WEP has been submitted to the Australian Government for consideration and I eagerly await their response.

I look forward to seeing further gains for the region as it continues to be a leading agricultural producer and driver in the Victorian economy.

● L isa Neville is Victoria’s Water Minister

MORE

YEA FARMER SAYS WATER SAVINGS UP, BUT PRODUCTIVITY DOWN

PRICES SET FOR 2020-24 AS UNIFORM TARIFF UNVEILED

GOULBURN MURRAY IRRIGATORS TO SHARE IN $320M