Gillard Government Supports Murray River Project (Australia)

Gillard Government has announced yesterday that irrigation communities in the Riverland will benefit from additional water projects and industry support.

Minister for Water, Tony Burke, said the additional support reflects the economic and environmental challenges facing the irrigation industry and communities along the South Australian River Murray.

“South Australian farmers are some of the most water efficient in the nation“, Mr Burke said.

“This support will allow them to continue their good work.

“Up to $180 million has been set aside in the existing SRWUIP program, subject to a due diligence assessment, for South Australia to run the Water Industry Alliance’s River Murray Improvements Program to improve the efficiency and productivity of water use and management along the river.

“In return for the funding, up to 40GL (36GL long term average annual yield) of water will be provided to the environment. This will help ‘bridge the gap’ to the sustainable diversion limits under the Basin Plan.

“The Gillard Government will also provide $85 million under a new National Partnership Agreement with South Australia for research, regional development and industry redevelopment.

“The Government will be working with the State on project development and due diligence arrangements for the implementation of this new program.”

Funding for these proposals will be met from within existing resources and from funds set aside in the recent Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

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Press Release, October 29, 2012