VFF Water Council chair Andrew Leahy said the Victorian Government report, called Planning our Basin Future Together, is an important step to help communities plan for a future of producing less food if water buybacks occur.
Last year the Federal Government announced it had made an ‘Agreement’ with the NSW, South Australia, Queensland and ACT governments to make changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The Commonwealth also announced it would be using buybacks to achieve the basin pan target of 2750 Gl.
“These Commonwealth changes mean that northern Victorian communities are exposed to greater risks from potentially large-scale, untargeted open tender water purchase programs,” the latest Victorian Government report said.
“With a clear indication from the Commonwealth Government that it intends to begin recovering water in 2024 towards the 450 Gl, it is likely that more water will be recovered in Victoria in the years to come.”
Mr Leahy said communities in northern Victoria were being forced to have difficult conversations in the face of the Albanese Government’s plan to buy back more water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
“The VFF continues to oppose the Albanese Government’s plan to take more water from our farming communities,” he said.
“Until the situation in Canberra changes, we must be prepared for all possible outcomes.
“The Victorian Government is showing leadership in starting the conversation across our communities.
“In a situation where we can’t stop the Commonwealth entering the market, we must look for options with the least impact on communities and agriculture.”
“The release of this document is the first step, now comes the hard part of working with local communities to find local solutions that protect our farmers and communities.”
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