UNUSED water previously set aside for power generation has been reallocated, with the water to be shared between agriculture, Traditional Owners and the environment in the Latrobe Valley.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney announced the reallocation of 16 gigalitres of water, with the additional water for environmental flows set to improve the health of the Latrobe River as well as the Gippsland Lakes system downstream.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation will have access to additional water for self-determined cultural uses.
Southern Rural Water will make additional water available to farmers.
Agriculture supports thousands of jobs in Gippsland, and the availability of more water licences will help boost the local economy.
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“Having more water available for farming benefits everyone, from irrigators looking to improve their water security or expand their operations to farmers looking to set up in the region,” said Latrobe River irrigator Angus Zilm.
This water allocation is known as the Latrobe 3-4 Bench Bulk Water Entitlement, it was originally allocated back in 1996 for coal fired power generation.
The decision to reallocate 16 gigalitres of the 25 gigalitre water entitlement was made through the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy.
The remaining 9 gigalitres of the entitlement will be retained by government to provide continued flexibility to respond to emerging needs in Gippsland.
