SO much of the economy of the Goulburn Valley depends on water and how it is used. The drought over the last few years, high prices for water and low availability have put enormous pressure on many whose businesses rely upon affordable access to the water.
Not only that, the impact on the environment has had devastating effects in some regions as a consequence of intervalley transfers taking place at the wrong part of the natural cycle.
While irrigation in the Goulburn Valley has been around since the Goulburn Weir was constructed in 1891, it is only in the last few years that major works to modernise the system have been undertaken to provide Victoria with sustainable access to water into the future.
The $2B Connections Project reset commenced in 2016 as a means of updating the system with a view to saving upwards of 429 gigalitres of water that was being lost from a number of causes. The saved water will be returned to the Environmental Water Holder, to ensure continued river health and protects irrigators from the negative impact of buybacks.
The Victorian Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, has announced that the project is now officially complete.
Minister Neville said since the reset, more than 800 local jobs have been created annually resulting in an annual increase of the regional GDP of around $170M.
“The Connections Project is a huge part of Victoria’s strong track record in delivering environmental outcomes under the Basin Plan in a way that protects irrigators from the negative impacts of buybacks,” Minister Neville said.
“This is about building a legacy for future generations, saving water for the environment, creating rural jobs and supporting long-term productivity for irrigators in the face of climate change.
“The Connections Project is a great model for how we can achieve positive social, economic and environmental results through major investment in water infrastructure.”
