Water infrastructure boosted as $35m federal funding flows

Murray Irrigation Limited has welcomed more than $35 million of Federal Government funding to improve water delivery infrastructure.

“This is a very welcome announcement,” Murray Irrigation chair Steve Fawns said.

“These funds are an important first step for a real win win outcome where the environment and the community can benefit from the efficient use of environmental water.”

He said the board had recently met with Federal Water Minister

Keith Pitt, Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley and Senator Perin Davey to discuss funding opportunities.

Mr Fawns said part of the funding would connect 130 km of the Jimaringle and Cockran creeks to the Murray system, restoring ecological health to the waterways.

Mr Pitt said the investment would create 256 direct and indirect local jobs in construction and seven jobs permanently in operations as well as providing agricultural and environmental benefits by getting water to new areas and at new times.

Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said production changes, reduced inflows and untargeted buybacks had reduced water delivery in the MIL by 40 per cent in the past 30 years leaving valuable water infrastructure stranded for farmers and environmental water holders.