Make a submission now to speak up for our wetlands and stop the Victorian government's dodgy water offset plans
Right now, the Victorian government’s dodgy water offset projects are being assessed for their environmental impacts.
We need to hold our government to account and expose these projects as the greenwashing they are. Importantly, we need to make sure they’re not used as an excuse to justify withholding desperately needed water from our rivers!
Here’s how you can get involved:
Submissions to the Nyah, Vinifera and Burra Environment Report (ER) are now open.
Help scrutinise the impact of these projects on the local wetland ecosystem and the risk they pose to the entire Murray-Darling system.
If you know these places deeply, your experience is essential.
These three projects have so many parts. At the local scale, there might be some good things: repairing an old, leaky regulator on a weir pool-afflicted lagoon. And some bad things: clearing irreplaceable habitat or building levees that will cut off water flow. Ask the panel to consider your local knowledge and concerns.
If you love the wider Murray floodplain, speak out against the offset.
These projects have repercussions for the whole Murray floodplain. This is because they’re linked to a massive water ‘offset’ that means there’s less water for fish, frogs and waterbirds upstream and downstream. And right now, this nefarious element is outside the formal ‘scope’ for assessment. If you love and live on the floodplain, we need your help. Demand the ‘cumulative impact’ on the whole river is taken into account.
Make your submission at: https://engage.vic.gov.au/VMFRP-SIAC-ER-Central
Deadline: 11.59pm Friday March 10 2023
Our submission guide has all this information. Download it here >>
You can also visit our FAQ page for more details on what the projects are, and how they fit into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
If you have questions or would like tips on writing your submission, email Environment Victoria’s Rivers Campaigner, Tyler Rotche at t.rotche@environmentvictoria.org.au
Read our full submission guide
The Planning Minister has appointed a committee to evaluate the 9 projects in the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project (VMFRP) in 4 packages.
With individual Environment Effects Statement (EES) and Environment Report (ER) hearings and roundtables for each package there are going to be plenty of opportunities to get involved, particularly in the first half of this year.
If you’re keen to stay updated, get involved or lend your expertise, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.