Victorian Acting Water Minister Richard Wynne said consultation on proposed new operating rules for Goulburn to Murray inter-valley trade arrangements will close on April 30.
In 2019, the Victorian Government announced a review of the inter-valley trade rule for the Goulburn River, following two consecutive years of sustained high flows over summer and autumn that caused damage to the banks and ecology of the river.
An initial review found the current rules were not protecting the environment of the lower Goulburn River and did not provide a level playing field for all water users to trade water.
“We know that delivery risks in the Murray are real — that’s why the rules we’re proposing will make sure that water traded from the Goulburn can be delivered each year” Mr Wynne said.
“We want to support our irrigators that rely on trade without affecting others or damaging the environment.”
He said releasing the regulatory impact statement was a key step in establishing new long-term operating, trade and tagging rules to support trade opportunities while avoiding damaging peak flows.
Consultation online and face-to-face will run for six weeks with feedback to be considered before a final decision prior to July 1.
“We’re working to protect our waterways with new balanced rules that support our irrigators and provide certainty for the future,” Mr Wynne said.
“The arrangements we’ve had in place over the last two irrigation seasons worked to keep flows to more reasonable levels — we’re now proposing a new rule that makes sure we can deliver trade under more sustainable lower flows.”
An online survey on can be completed at: engage.vic.gov.au/goulburn-murray-trade-rule-review
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