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New Federal funds could open the floodgates to Big Buffalo

Victoria must seize the opportunity to build Big Buffalo and boost water security for irrigators in the northeast after the Federal Budget delivered an unprecedented $2 billion for water infrastructure

By Portal Admin - 12th October 2020 - Back to News

Victoria must seize the opportunity to build Big Buffalo and boost water security for irrigators in the northeast after the Federal Budget delivered an unprecedented $2 billion for water infrastructure.

Labor Water Minister Lisa Neville has stubbornly refused to make the most of the Federal Liberal Nationals Government’s willingness to fund priority water projects.

Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said investigating the expansion of water storages at Lake Buffalo, near Myrtleford, made sense.

"Expanding the storage at Lake Buffalo is just the sort of big, nation-building project the National Water Grid Authority was established to investigate," Mr Walsh said.

"Big Buffalo has the potential to make water supplies in northern Victoria more reliable and to save up to 130GL of evaporative losses by reducing the system’s reliance on Lake Victoria in south west NSW.

"This Federal water infrastructure funding is an ideal opportunity to advance Big Buffalo, all that’s standing in the way is Lisa Neville’s unwillingness to submit it for investigation."

Big Buffalo would investigate increasing the existing dam capacity of 23,900 megalitres – just six per cent of the mean annual flow of the Buffalo River – up to 1 million megalitres.

Mr Walsh said water savings would deliver more secure entitlements for irrigators.

"With more secure entitlements, irrigators can look forward to a higher percentage of their water allocations than they currently see each year," Mr Walsh said.

"Climate experts are predicting we will see more intense rainfall events and longer periods of drought so we need to make sure we’re capturing that rain when it falls.

"The Federal Liberal Nationals Government is ready and willing to fund big new water infrastructure, what’s lacking is the support of the Andrews Labor Government."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists.
• Darren Chester congratulates Hillywood Tree Nursery on expanding Gippsland-grown business with new online store
  Hillywood Tree Nursery in Briagolong has launched an online store, expanding access to Gippsland-grown plants. Darren Chester praised owner Ed Mosley for fostering innovation, sustainability, and local job growth in horticulture.
• Season’s greetings to East Gippsland residents with wishes for a joyful Christmas and prosperous New Year
  Wishing East Gippsland residents a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, with gratitude to service workers, reminders for festive safety, and hopes for connection, kindness, and a prosperous 2026.
• Wellington Shire Council proudly announces the $23M Aqua Energy Leisure Centre redevelopment opens 7 October 2025
  Wellington Shire Council is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated redevelopment of Aqua Energy Leisure Centre in Sale is complete, with the $23 million facility set to open officially to the public on Tuesday 7 October 2025.
• Darren Chester and Martin Cameron launch petition urging action on long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass project
  Darren Chester and Martin Cameron have launched a community petition urging state and federal governments to prioritise funding and design work for the long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass to ease congestion.
• Farm fencing grants protect 300 hectares of biodiversity and boost waterway health across West Gippsland
  Over 300 hectares of farmland will be fenced through West Gippsland CMA's farm fencing grants, protecting waterways, biodiversity, and livestock while supporting sustainable farming and revegetation across the catchment.
• Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
  Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads.