THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 2 November 2023
Water infrastructure working to better deliver for the environment
The Albanese Labor Government is giving irrigation infrastructure in the Deniliquin region a $33.5 million boost to deliver water for the environment in more effective ways.
Murray Irrigation Limited currently runs a network of irrigation channels in the area. Historically this network was designed to deliver water for irrigators alone, but in recent years has also been used to deliver water recovered for the environment.
This funding will mean that water can be better targeted and distributed to restore local creeks and wetlands – better mimicking the natural flow of water.
The project will create additional irrigation escape structures to allow water to be dispersed to other areas, install fish-friendly access crossings, upgrade existing fences, and consider how the project can be expanded.
This will mean water can be delivered to more places, delivering water across public and private land to help local environments be more sustainable.
The project ensures water that has been recovered for the environment is put to good and effective use while the work to recover more water for the environment continues.
The Government is committed to delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full, including 450GL of water for the environment. A healthy basin means a sustainable river that irrigators and communities can depend upon for generations to come.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
“Delivering the Basin Plan will take governments, industry and community working together. Congratulations and thank you to Murray Irrigation Limited for their commitment to better delivering for our environment.
“This project is a great example of how we can make sure we get the most out of the water we already hold and use it to better look after the environment.
"It’s another way we’re working to give our river system its best chance of a healthy and sustainable future.”
Quotes attributable to Noel Baxter, Chairman of Murray Irrigation Limited:
“I welcome the Commonwealth investment in the Restoring Murray Waterways project. It is the culmination of a long and focused process of engagement with local landholders and multiple government agencies.
“Murray Irrigation’s channel system offers unique capacity to deliver water to the right place at the right time to achieve optimal environmental outcomes.
“We are pleased the Federal Government recognises the value of this project in terms of improved ecological outcomes, local jobs creation, partnerships with First Nations communities and, importantly, its potential contribution to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
“We believe there is potential, in the long-term, to upscale this initiative to connect creeks and wetlands throughout our Murray landscape. This will revitalise our region, achieve environmental outcomes and also ensure the sustainability of our water delivery network which underpins the economy and jobs in the Murray region.
“I look forward to Murray Irrigation continuing to work alongside the Federal Government to help deliver smart environmental watering solutions.”
ENDS
