Victoria pushes ahead with $140 million water-recovery fund despite council opposition

Victoria is preparing to receive $140 million from the federal Sustainable Communities Program to cushion the impacts of water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin, and Water Minister Michaela Settle affirmed the money will be rolled out without delay despite criticism from seven regional councils. The councils, including the Murray River Group of Councils and Greater Shepparton City Council, argue that routing the funds through Regional Development Victoria fails to address the unique needs of each locality.

Gannawarra Shire Mayor Garner Smith warned the money could be wasted, while Swan Hill Mayor Stuart King urged that councils receive the funds directly to allocate them appropriately. Settle maintained extensive consultation has taken place and that the funds will be deployed promptly to aid irrigators and bolster local development, rejecting any postponement before the upcoming election. She also suggested the opposition might be politically motivated, referencing One Nation candidate Cr Smith’s involvement. The Sustainable Communities Program, already active in New South Wales and South Australia, provides $300 million over four years, with Victoria negotiating its share.