Response to Murray Flood Plain Announcement

The Victorian government has announced that the first stage of the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project will soon be underway.

“The projects will water only small sections of the floodplain. They do not deliver the broader ecological benefits of big floods, such as replenishing food chains,” said Juliet Le Feuvre, Healthy Rivers Campaign Manager at Environment Victoria.

“Localised watering, while important for providing drought refuge, does not have the same benefits.

“Sadly, we are a long way off from the benefits claimed by the Minister. This money is to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this project in delivering environmental outcomes, which are in no way guaranteed.

“The construction cost for this unproven project is estimated at over $300 million. This construction will be occurring in some of our most valuable, internationally protected wetlands.

“The Andrews government should be looking at other ways of using this money to provide benefits for rivers and communities. A combination of water purchases and economic diversification initiatives would better help communities prepare for a drier future.”