A two-year delay in deciding how to allocate spare water in the Latrobe River system is a symptom of the Labor Government’s inability to make decisions and get projects moving.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said he was frustrated at how long it takes to get decisions made by the current government.
The Government decided in 2022 that 16 gigalitres of spare water in the Latrobe system would be shared between the environment, traditional owners and irrigators – two years on, how that water will be divided up has not yet been addressed.
“This water has been sitting in the Latrobe system, unused, after it was set aside for a future power station that was never built,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I was pleased that after much lobbying, the Government agreed to allocate it to be put to good use as I know there are many farmers and potential investors interested in developing further irrigation along the Latrobe.
“It speaks volumes about the bureaucratic and unproductive nature of this Government that it can’t make a simple decision like this in less than two years.
“While I would of course like to see more water for our farmers, even if the water was divided equally among the three recipients, that would be something that most people would be able to accept. It is unfathomable that a simple decision like this takes so long.”
Mr O’Brien said allocating the water to productive agricultural users would help create jobs and investment in our region at a time of significant transition, particularly in the energy sectors.
“We are going to lose jobs in power stations, oil and gas in coming years and the timber industry has already been shut down by Labor. Sustainable agriculture can play a role in helping to smooth that transition.
“Why the Government is taking so long to reallocate this water is hard to comprehend.”
Mr O’Brien said the Government should get on with the project and quickly outline a process by which farmers can access the newly available water.