THE Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) Water Leadership Forum is calling on the Victorian Government to take urgent action following revelations that the Commonwealth Government has purchased approximately $51.5 million worth of water entitlements, with many of these transactions occurring in recent weeks.
Concerns have been raised about the timing of these purchases, which appear to have been expedited just before the federal government entered caretaker mode ahead of the upcoming election.
This raises serious questions regarding transparency, strategic intent, and the potential consequences for Victoria’s water availability.
Following a meeting in Shepparton with the Hon. Gayle Tierney MP, Minister for Water, on 28 February, the Forum was reassured that the Victorian Government remains firmly opposed to water buybacks.
However, given these recent developments, the Forum is now urging the minister to immediately exercise her discretionary powers to refuse the transfer of any water in
Victoria under this latest Commonwealth acquisition program.
Of major concern to members is the fact that our own Victorian government has no idea of where the recent water purchases are coming from within its own jurisdiction, despite numerous requests to be kept informed. Andrew Mann, a key member and Co-chair of the GMID Water
Leadership Forum stated it was extraordinary that the federal government would ride roughshod over the Victorian state government in this way.
"This behaviour denies the Victorian government the opportunity to consider the implications of the buyback effects and to communicate with and keep local communities advised of what they can expect and how they might be assisted by their own state government,” he said.
Members of the Forum are calling on the Victorian Water minister to refuse to register transfers of water on the Victorian Water Register in circumstances such as this.
Under the Water Trading Rules for Declared Water Systems 2023, the minister has the authority to reject applications to trade water shares if they are likely to cause material adverse impacts on the environment or other water users.
The GMID Water Leadership Forum maintains that these Commonwealth water purchases will significantly reduce the consumptive pool available for irrigation, leading to detrimental effects on regional communities, agricultural productivity and the future viability of the irrigation system.
"This latest move by the Commonwealth Government threatens the livelihoods of farmers and the economic stability of our region," said Mr Mann.
"We cannot afford to lose more water from our irrigation districts, and we urge the Victorian Government to stand firm in blocking these transfers."
Former Independent Member of the Victorian Parliament for Shepparton District and Co-Chair of the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID) Water Leadership Forum, Ms Suzanna Sheed reinforced these concerns.
"The Victorian Government has consistently opposed buybacks, yet we now see millions of dollars’ worth of water being taken from our communities," she said.
"It is imperative that Minister Tierney exercises her discretion to prevent this from happening and protect northern Victoria’s irrigation future."
The Forum is also calling for urgent clarification and transparency from the Commonwealth Government regarding:
• The sources of the purchased water and the impact on Victorian water users.
• The intended purpose of these entitlements and whether they align with existing state water management strategies.
• The justification for the timing of these transactions and whether the socioeconomic detriment to Victoria was adequately considered.
• The anticipated effects on Victoria’s agricultural sector, regional communities, and environmental water management.
• Any proposed federal measures to mitigate harm or adverse impacts on Victorian interests.
With water security being a critical issue for communities, industries, and the environment, the GMID Water Leadership Forum urges the Victorian Government to ensure that water resources are managed with fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability in mind.
The Forum has written to Minister Tierney urging her to refuse to allow the transfers and for a meeting with her to discuss the available options to protect northern Victoria’s irrigation districts from further fragmentation and economic harm.