Media Releases

Water Minister Peter Walsh today toured Lindsay Island, in north-west Victoria, to inspect environmental engineering works that will achieve significant water savings for the Murray-Darling Basin.
Mr Walsh said the works would allow the inundation of thousands of hectares of natural floodplain using far less water than would normally be required.
“Lindsay Island is an example of how water savings in the Murray-Darling Basin can be achieved through efficiency works and not by taking water from irrigators,” Mr Walsh said.
“A natural flood at Lindsay Island requires high flows in the Murray River for an extended period, but the planned works will make it possible to deliver environmental benefits for the island using normal river flows.”
Lindsay Island is one of Victoria’s most ecologically significant floodplains and is situated on the Murray River, near the South Australian border.
Mr Walsh’s tour, with Member for Mildura Peter Crisp and Member for Rodney Paul Weller, included a first-hand look at the Lindsay Island Stage 1 works.
Stage 1 is a $7 million package of environmental engineering works that has been funded by the Victorian Government and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority as part of the Living Murray program.
The works will improve flows through more than 20 kilometres of Lindsay Island waterways and have significant benefits for native fish.
Detailed designs will be completed by June this year, with construction expected to begin in January 2013 to avoid working in the spring, when many native fish species migrate and breed.
Mr Walsh was also briefed about the next stage of works at Lindsay Island, which will complement the Stage 1 works at a cost of approximately $43 million dollars.
Concept designs are currently being prepared for the second stage of works, using $1.1 million in funding from the federal government. 
The second stage will include construction of a large regulator across the Lindsay River to inundate the floodplain upstream, along with a number of smaller regulators to prevent water draining back to the Murray River to maximise environmental benefits.
“The Stage 2 works at Lindsay Island will replicate the environmental benefits of a small to medium sized natural flood, but using far less water,” Mr Walsh said.
The tour will also include a brief overview of works planned for nearby Wallpolla Island that will help deliver environmental water. These works are currently in the early stages of design.

Water Minister Peter Walsh today toured construction works at the new $800,000 Lake Bolac wastewater treatment plant, due for completion in March.
Mr Walsh said the plant was being constructed as part of a $2.7 million sewerage scheme for Lake Bolac and used a treatment system that was unique to Victoria.
“Natural biological processes from more than 70,000 plants will break down the waste in a specially-constructed wetland area,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is inspiring to see Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water take this innovative approach to treating wastewater in a small town setting. Innovation in water management is strongly encouraged by the Victorian Coalition Government.”
The wastewater treatment system uses a combination of large septic tanks, bio-filtration, subsurface
flow wetlands and surface-flow wetlands to treat the wastewater to a very high standard.
The treatment site does not use any power as it all operates by gravity and is designed for minimal maintenance.
“This project provides excellent environmental benefits by removing the town’s reliance on ageing residential septic tanks which were beginning to fail, leading to soil contamination and reduced amenity,” Mr Walsh said.
“The contamination has eliminated with a practical and environmentally-sound solution that will be delivered at a low cost to Lake Bolac water users.”
A local Landcare group has helped with the planting of more than 70,000 plants comprising 40 different species.
The Lake Bolac Sewerage Scheme received $515,000 in funding support from the Coalition Government’s Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program.
Construction of the wastewater treatment plant began in February 2011 and is due for completion in March 2012.

The Victorian Coalition Government’s flood recovery employment program will be extended until December 2012 due to high demand, Water Minister Peter Walsh said today.
The $6 million program was announced in March last year to train skilled local people who had been directly affected by flooding, and then employ them to assist with flood recovery works.
Mr Walsh said while there had been a slow uptake in the beginning due to wet conditions, participant demand in November had more than tripled since June.
“At the end of November last year almost 140 people had participated in the program, so that’s 140 people who could have otherwise been without any income,” Mr Walsh said.
“It’s also 140 people helping to clean up their community.
“This program is vital to both support the local economy in flood affected areas and assist with the clean up of flood damage, which can be a huge task for small communities.”
The flood recovery employment program is delivered by Victoria’s Catchment Management
Authorities in the Glenelg Hopkins, Goulburn Broken, Mallee, North Central, North East and Wimmera regions.
Member for Mildura Peter Crisp said demand in the Mallee CMA was particularly high, so $550,000 from the program’s contingency fund would be allocated to meet the need in that area.
“We are committed to ensuring Victorian communities get the assistance they need to recover from months of devastating floods,” Mr Crisp said.
“DSE will also review the flood recovery employment program in March to assess demand, resources and future needs to make sure we are spending the right amount of money in the right places.”
For more information about the flood recovery employment program, contact your local CMA or the Department of Primary Industries on 136 186.

Water Minister Peter Walsh today announced a more transparent Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP) connections program to give landholders greater control over the modernisation of their irrigation systems.
Visiting Tongala today, Mr Walsh said the revised connections program aimed to fix many of the issues highlighted in an Ombudsman’s report released last month.
“The Ombudsman’s report into the food bowl modernisation tabled in late November revealed a serious lack of transparency and accountability within NVIRP,” Mr Walsh said.
“From now on, landholders are going to have a greater say in how the connections program is rolled out.
“It means all landholders in each connections project will have the same information and will have a greater say on the works that happen on their properties.
“A landholder-elected steering committee will oversee each project and be responsible for selecting their own irrigation design consultant to develop modernisation options.”
The revised program also includes a new independent review panel, to deliver a fairer and more equitable result for landholders involved with NVIRP modernisation works.
The panel will be chaired by Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority chair Peter Ryan and includes former Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) water services committee member Bruce Jones; Irrigation Australia Ltd life member John Mapson; Shepparton lawyer Simon Furphy; Shepparton consultant and former Department of Sustainability and Environment regional director Chris Halpin; and Shepparton lawyer and former president of the Law Institute of Victoria Danny Barlow.
“If a landholder is dissatisfied with an NVIRP decision, they are entitled to have their case independently reviewed by the panel,” Mr Walsh said.
“The applicant may request a review if they believe the NVIRP decision was unreasonable, involved bias, was made in error or did not consider relevant information.
“The panel will take into account a number of factors, including the applicant’s situation, any relevant guidelines, reports from NVIRP and in some cases deliberations of independent irrigation design experts.”
Mr Walsh said all members of the panel were independent of both Goulburn Murray Water and NVIRP.
“This new independent review panel will ensure the program is delivered with more transparency and accountability, so landowners can be sure they’re getting a fair deal,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the panel would then either determine the original NVIRP decision was correct or recommend that it should be withdrawn and re-submitted.
“At the end of that process, if one person is holding out to the detriment of the majority, I will consider using the mandatory reconfiguration powers I have under the Water Act,” Mr Walsh said.

Water Minister Peter Walsh has today welcomed the appointment of George Warne as the new interim chief executive officer of the Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP).
Mr Walsh said Mr Warne had been appointed to undertake transitional work with the NVIRP board and Goulburn-Murray Water managing director Gavin Hanlon.
“Mr Warne, taking up the role on 9 January, has been appointed until G-MW takes over the delivery of the irrigation modernisation,” Mr Walsh said.
“He is a recognised leader in the rural water sector and brings strong change management skills.
“Mr Warne has a record of delivering large and complex construction projects and infrastructure programs both in the commercial sector and in irrigation and water storage infrastructure.”
Mr Warne has been general manager of Murray Irrigation as well as the CEO of NSW’s rural bulk water delivery business – State Water.
“He has been responsible for change management in both organisations and has experience in dealing with both state and federal governments,” Mr Walsh said.
“Mr Warne also brings a genuine understanding of rural communities and customer engagement which will be important in rolling out the new approach to the connections program I have announced today,” Mr Walsh said.

An atlas for south-west Victoria launched today will help people understand the complex system of groundwater use and management, according to Water Minister Peter Walsh.
“This atlas provides information in words and graphics that readers can easily grasp, while using new mapping technology,” Mr Walsh said.
“Groundwater is a valuable resource, but its potential is hidden. This atlas will help change that.”
Member for Western Victoria David O’Brien, representing Mr Walsh, today launched the atlas in Bungaree. He said the atlas had been described as “groundwater gold”.
“During the drought, interest in groundwater across the region grew considerably,” Mr O’Brien said.
“But groundwater is very complex, often described in unfamiliar technical language and hard to understand. Many people also don’t understand how it is managed.
“This atlas contains strong messages about groundwater use and management in south-west Victoria and paints a picture of groundwater that we have never seen before.”
The atlas is a result of the Southern Groundwater Futures project run by Southern Rural Water.
Southern Rural Water’s general manager – strategic and technical – Graham Hawke said many people were involved in developing the atlas, including stakeholders who participated in a reference group and more than 100 water users and members of the public who attended workshops to look at the draft atlas.
“We believe this atlas will give anyone who is interested a good understanding of the state of groundwater and its use in south-west Victoria,” Mr Hawke said.
The atlas is one of three to be developed across Southern Rural Water’s area as part of the $1 million project and is now available online at www.srw.com.au

Minister for Water Peter Walsh said Mentone Beach visitors would enjoy a more attractive waterfront this summer following the removal of three stormwater pipes from the foreshore.
“Kingston City Council’s drains at Charman Road, Sea Parade and Mundy Street have been removed and stormwater is now diverted to a single outlet on Marina Road, which is managed by Melbourne Water,” Mr Walsh said.
“Locals and visitors can enjoy a more attractive beach, better access to the foreshore and greater amenity for swimmers.”
On-site today to celebrate the completion of the works, Member for Sandringham Murray Thompson said the project was a win for the community.
“This is a great day for the community and Kingston City Council who have campaigned for several years for the drains to be removed,” Mr Thompson said.
“Three stormwater drains have been removed from the western end of Mentone beach with stormwater now being diverted to a single outlet.
“I applaud Melbourne Water and the council for listening to local residents and producing an outcome that benefits everyone.”
Melbourne Water regional delivery manager (south-east) Rod Clifford said the remaining drain had been upgraded to receive additional stormwater, and the design reflected the wishes of the community.
“The outlet has been designed to withstand erosion and blend into the beach environment as much as possible,” Mr Clifford said.
“A gross pollutant trap has also been installed in response to community calls. This will stop pollutants such as cans, cigarette butts, paper and silt from flowing into the bay.”
The Marina Road drain upgrade was undertaken by Melbourne Water’s Pipelines Alliance – a
partnership between Melbourne Water, Fulton Hogan, Jaydo, and GHD.

Basin communities must voice their concerns about the draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan before it’s too late, Water Minister Peter Walsh said today.
“Now the draft plan has been released, there are 20 weeks where people can make submissions and attend community forums to have their say,” Mr Walsh said.
“Irrigators and basin communities need to voice their concerns loud and clear, so the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) might finally get the message.
“Craig Knowles needs to listen to communities and incorporate their thinking into the plan.”
Mr Walsh said regional communities in Wangaratta, Echuca, Kerang and Mildura needed to be consulted immediately – and listened to.
“The MDBA has held numerous community sessions but has failed to act on the concerns being voiced,” Mr Walsh said.
“The water cuts proposed by the Authority will drastically change the state’s food and fibre producing industries and the regional communities that rely on them.
“Victoria has already met its in-valley targets. The remaining 964GL for end of system flows to come from the southern basin should be achieved through environmental works and measures.
“Basin communities have a right to have details of this plan explained sooner rather than later, so they are able to make informed submissions during the consultation period.”
Mr Walsh said the development of the draft plan so far, from communities being ignored during its development to the draft plan being leaked before its release, had been disappointing.
“While the MDBA is beyond the point of being able to redeem itself, the least it can do is ensure there is thorough and transparent consultation from now on,” Mr Walsh said.
Voice your concerns by sending submissions to submissions@mdba.gov.au or Proposed Basin Plan, Murray–Darling Basin Authority, GPO Box 3001, CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601.

Water Minister Peter Walsh said anglers fishing for Murray cod from today’s season opening could look forward to improved access and more native fish stocking thanks to a $1.35 million boost from the Victorian Coalition Government.
Mr Walsh and Member for Rodney Paul Weller opened the season today by casting a line at Kow Swamp.
“We are spending $16.2 million over the next four years to improve recreational fishing opportunities in addition to revenue funded from the sale of fishing licences,” Mr Walsh said.
“The three-year Building Northern Native Fisheries will focus on sections of the Campaspe and Loddon rivers, Gunbower Creek and Kow Swamp.
“Seven new boat launching ramps are planned with two each on Elmore Weir, Gunbower Creek and the Loddon River and one at Kow Swamp.
“Two existing boat ramps have upgrades planned on Gunbower Creek (National Weir Road) and Kow Swamp (Box Bridge).”
Mr Walsh said better access for shore based anglers was also planned for the Barnidown Pool and Axe Creek junction on the Campaspe, and a fishing platform at Kow Swamp (Box Creek).
“With better access for anglers, Fisheries Victoria will boost existing fish populations in these waters by releasing more than a million additional Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings over three years,” Mr Walsh said.
“The million native fish will comprise 360,000 golden perch and 645,000 Murray cod. Kow Swamp will receive the lion’s share of the Murray cod with 100,000 fingerlings for each of three years.”
Improved sites at all four waters will be promoted to increase angler visitation and the associated regional economic benefits will be measured.
Anglers chasing Murray cod this season are reminded there is a minimum legal length of 60cm and a maximum length of 100cm. The daily bag limit is two Murray cod per person.
For more information refer to the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide which is available free from most good fishing tackle shops, DPI Offices or by ringing 136 186.

Angler access projects proposed for Campaspe, Loddon and Gunbower systems.
Boat access:
Campaspe River:
Elmore Weir: Install boat ramp, signage and car park at Burnewang St - $30,000
Speers Road: Boat ramp, signage and car park - $40,000
Gunbower Creek
Spencers Bridge: Boat access, signage and car park downstream of bridge - $30,000
Koondrook Track: Boat access and signage - $30,000
National Weir Road: Upgrade boat ramp - $30,000
Kow Swamp
Box Bridge: Upgrade boat ramp, signage and car park  -$50,000
Apex Park: Install ramp, buoyed navigation channel and possible platform  - $200,000
Loddon River
Serpentine Weir: Boat ramp, signage and car park - $50,000
Fernihurst: Boat ramp signage and car park - $50,000

Land access:
Campaspe River
Bardidown Pool: Improve access (subject to tenure) - $20,000
Axe Creek Junction: Improve access (subject to tenure) - $20,000
Kow Swamp
Box Creek: Install fishing platform - $50,000

Melburnians will return to Stage 1 water restrictions tomorrow, giving households greater flexibility and choice in how they use water.
Water Minister Peter Walsh said good winter and spring rains meant households would be able to water their lawns with a trigger nozzle for the first time since 2006.
“We have considered a wide range of factors including dam levels, forecast demand and the weather outlook and we believe it is prudent to ease water restrictions slowly,” Mr Walsh said.
“Melburnians have shown themselves to be waterwise, and with residential water use at a record low, consumption averaged just 146 litres per person per day over 2010-11.
“But with the Thomson just over half full and the seasonal outlook predicting warmer temperatures and only a 35 per cent to 45 per cent chance of exceeding median rainfall over summer, we have decided to remain on alert.
“Delays to the construction of the desalination plant also mean we need to be sensible with our water use,” Mr Walsh said.
Under Stage 1 water restrictions, lawns can be watered during set days and times and Melbourne’s fountains and water features can flow again. Car washing at home using a hand held hose with a trigger nozzle is also permitted.
Mr Walsh said the Victorian Coalition Government had also adopted the new water restrictions regime and permanent water savings rules proposed by the metropolitan water retailers.
“In March I asked the water retailers to put forward clear and consistent guidelines around drought response and permanent water savings plans,” Mr Walsh said.
“Following extensive community consultation, I have adopted the recommendations to ensure there is consistency across the state and watering days and times and restrictions for the use of water systems are easier to understand.”
The decision to move to Stage 1 water restrictions was made on the basis of the new Water Outlook which will be published on Thursday.
The outlook considers not just dam levels, but also forecast weather, catchment conditions, trends in demand and the performance of the water supply system and water efficiency programs.
Under Stage 1 water restrictions, Victorians may:
* water residential or commercial gardens or lawns using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time, on any day;
* water residential and commercial gardens and lawns with a watering system (manual, automatic, spray or dripper) only on alternate days between 6 am and 10 am and 6 pm and 10 pm;
* operate fountains and water features that recirculate water;
* wash a vehicle at home using a high pressure cleaning unit or a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time, any day of the week; 
* top up new pools or spas of up to 2000 litres using a hand held hose or automatic water top up device; and 
* fill new pools or spas of up to 2000 litres using a hand held hose or automatic water top up device. New or existing pools greater than 2000 litres can only be filled in accordance with a water use plan.