No dam hope for 50 years

buuprvkbezbxSource: Wangaratta Chronicle - 15.10.08

State’s 50 year water plan rules out enlargement of lakes Buffalo, William Hovell

Written by SALLY EVANS.

A DRAFT water plan released by the State Government has quashed hopes of enlarging lakes Buffalo or William Hovell in the next 50 years.

The northern region sustainable water strategy puts forward 57 proposals to improve water management for farmers, communities and the environment in northern Victoria.

But it has ruled out the development of Big Buffalo near Myrtleford, and expansion of Lake William Hovell in the King Valley, as a means of offering water security to the North East.

The report, released last week, states the Murray-Darling Basin Cap prevents the creation or expansion of dams in the region, and would provide limited benefit to water users.

An enlarged Lake Buffalo would reduce water supply to New South Wales and South Australia, with increased use in the Ovens system coming at the expense of existing entitlement-holders on the Murray River.

"There would also be environmental impacts, including on the Living Murray icon sites," it reads.

"The same types of impacts would occur if new dams were built elsewhere in the North East, or if existing dams, such as Lake William Hovell, were expanded."

The water strategy proposes more water for farmers through reformed irrigation practices and further environmental flows through major infrastructure upgrades.

Water Minister Tim Holding said continuing drought and potential climate change impacts meant Victoria faced a future with less rainfall, and it was vital to take action to better manage water resources.

"We are putting in place a 50-year plan for how water is managed to ensure that this continues to be a prosperous part of Victoria and we continue to improve the health of the Murray-Darling Basin," he said.

"The draft strategy considers the potential impact of climate change and how this may translate to actual water allocations for all water users and local river systems.

"This highlights the need to act now - to do nothing and pray for rain is not an option."

The draft strategy is available at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au, with public submissions invited until December 12.