Media Releases

The Brumby Government should implement new carryover rules for irrigators in the Goulburn, Murray and Campaspe systems now.
Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said new rules, set to come into force in June, would ensure irrigators could take water they were losing under this year’s rules into next season.
“Many irrigators made the decision late last season to buy expensive temporary water so they could carry forward the maximum amount of water due to concerns about the outlook for the 2009-10 season,” Mr Walsh said.
“They now stand to lose any water allocated above 50 per cent because the season has improved.”
Mr Walsh said with carryover rules set to change on June 30 to allow irrigators to carry over all unused water into the next season, the Brumby Government could ease the burden on irrigators by bringing in the new rules early.
“Irrigators have been struggling with the high cost of temporary water and low commodity prices for some time,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is unjust that those who manage their affairs wisely should lose significant amounts of money because they made prudent planning decisions.
“The Brumby Government should bring the new rules into force now so those who saved or bought water are not disadvantaged.”
Mr Walsh said most irrigators had made decisions based on a predicted allocation of less than 50 per cent.
“Those losing water over the 50 per cent allocation threshold should be able to carry water forward so they don’t have to enter the market at the end of the year to buy carryover water for 2011.
“I call on John Brumby to implement those rules now so that these irrigators are not further disadvantaged,” Mr Walsh said.