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Macalister Fresh project starts as part of the Southern Rural Water delivery 2030 strategy with $660k funding from Victorian government

Southern Rural Water is collaborating with stakeholders to devise a visionary water strategy for Gippsland's future, building upon past investments and envisioning growth opportunities.

By news@gippsland - 27th September 2023 - Back to News

Southern Rural Water has started work on a region-building water strategy called Macalister Fresh that will deliver a vision and plan to drive future investment in Gippsland. The $660,000 Macalister Fresh project, funded by the Victorian government and Southern Rural Water, will be co-designed with water users and our key partners.

Macalister Fresh represents an ambitious water strategy aimed at fostering regional growth by devising a visionary plan to stimulate future investments in Gippsland

Macalister irrigation modernisation

In 2007, Southern Rural Water developed the MID2030 strategy, which planned to modernise the Macalister irrigation delivery system. A total of $160 million has since been invested in infrastructure upgrades, including funding contributions from the Victorian government, the Australian government through the National Water Grid Fund, Southern Rural Water and its customers.

The final infrastructure upgrades under the modernisation program are due for completion in 2024. The Macalister Fresh project will provide a plan to maximise the benefits of this investment, identify further opportunities and drive future investment in the region.

Collaborative vision for Gippsland

Southern Rural Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said the Macalister Fresh project will allow us to collaborate with the people, businesses, and communities we serve to deliver on shared aspirations. "Gippsland is one of Victoria's most important food bowls and we have already delivered huge benefits to farmers through our modernisation program."

"We now have a chance to imagine what else we want to achieve to secure the region's long-term future and the Macalister Fresh project will provide the pathway for how we get there," he said.

Macalister fresh project

Exploring more water savings, delivering best practice irrigation, finding innovative solutions to our future challenges, and finding great partners to work with are key priorities of the Macalister Fresh project. The Macalister Fresh project will be delivered over 18 months in four phases.

Phase one involves collaborating with water users, businesses, and government to develop a collective vision for the region. Principles for use and distribution of water savings, decision making frameworks, project prioritisation and project pipeline will be developed as part of the project.

Gippsland Water investment

Mr FitzGerald said the project would culminate in a Macalister Fresh investment prospectus that will identify the value of reliable and secure rural water management in Gippsland, and investment opportunities. "The prospectus will play a key role in attracting business and government to partner with us on water projects that will help grow Gippsland's multi-billion-dollar food and fibre sector."

"Macalister Fresh gives us an incredible opportunity to dream big about Gippsland,s future and deliver a plan to unlock more regional economic, cultural and environmental benefits," Mr FitzGerald said.

Pictures from Southern Rural Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@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.
• Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability
  Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to urgently address hazardous roadside vegetation threatening eastern Victoria communities
  Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety.
• East Gippsland Council accepts $4.255M Commonwealth funding to progress Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub
  East Gippsland Council has accepted $4.255 million Commonwealth funding to progress the Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub, finalising designs and preparing to tender construction for Paynesville lakeside community facility.
• Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
  Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to end delays and deliver the long-promised Cape to Cape Plan
  Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch.
• Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
  Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals.
• Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
  Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options.
• Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures.
• Darren Chester slams Albanese government over bill limiting veterans' rights to appeal medal and bravery decisions
  Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned the Albanese government's proposed Defence Honours Bill, claiming it restricts veterans' rights to appeal medal decisions and undermines the independent Tribunal's role in recognising bravery.
• Latrobe City allocates $7.3M surplus to key community infrastructure and improvement projects
  Latrobe City Council's $7.3 million surplus will fund key community projects, infrastructure upgrades, and maintenance, with $3.4 million reserved to leverage future State and Federal funding partnerships.
• Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations.
• Tim Bull condemns Labor government for rejecting Jack’s Law, delaying vital reforms to prevent knife-related harm
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
  The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families.
• Darren Chester delivers volunteer grant to support Traralgon RSL Bowls Group and boost junior participation
  Darren Chester awarded a $1700 Volunteer Grant to Traralgon RSL Bowls Group, funding equipment to boost junior participation, support volunteers, and strengthen youth development as part of Gippsland's wider $63,000 program.
• Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction.