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Danny O'Brien welcomes Latrobe River water allocation but slams state government for two-year decision delay

The state government's long-delayed decision to allocate 16,000ML from Blue Rock Lake is welcomed, but Danny O'Brien urges immediate clarity on distribution to support Gippsland farmers and regional jobs.

By news@gippsland - 24th April 2025 - Back to News

The state government's decision to allocate additional water to irrigators, the environment and traditional owners on the Latrobe River is better late than never, according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien.

Danny O'Brien says farmers need clarity on water allocation, urging the government to outline a fair, transparent distribution process

Water allocation delayed

Mr O'Brien said he has been campaigning for years to have the unused water allocated to boost irrigation and food production in central Gippsland. The state government has recently agreed that 16,000ML of water will be carved up equally between the three user groups. "This is a decision that is long overdue and it beggars belief that it's taken the government nearly two and half years to make a decision that could have been made on the spot."

"It was 2022 when the government's Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy agreed to allocate 16,000ML of unused water in Blue Rock Lake, but instead of simply making a decision on how much water would be allocated between the three recipients the government has wasted two and a half years dithering."

"This water can deliver both important environmental and economic benefits for the Latrobe River region and I know there are many farmers eagerly anticipating the opportunity to access additional water. This water will help grow our local agricultural economy and deliver long-term sustainable jobs in our region," Mr O'Brien said.

Allocate water fairly

Mr O'Brien said the state government should also have announced a process as to how it will allocate this water so that farmers can begin to plan. "While the additional 5,000 or so megalitres of water will be eagerly snapped up by farmers, the government has given no indication of how this process will occur - whether it will be an auction, a tender, or a reallocation across existing licences.

"The government should have spent the last two and a half years working out this process and should now be able to tell farmers how it will happen. With Labor's closure of the timber industry and the winding down of coal fired power in the Latrobe Valley, irrigated agriculture has an important role to play in long-term economic sustainability for our region and I encourage the government to move swiftly to further develop these water resources," he said.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  East Gippsland Councillors will visit Bruthen, Johnsonville and Metung on September 29, meeting residents and businesses to discuss local priorities, challenges and opportunities through Council’s community engagement program.
• Loch Sport Erosion Protection: Construction of three additional groynes expected to begin in late spring, Danny O’Brien says
  Construction of three additional groynes at Loch Sport is expected to begin in late spring, strengthening Lake Victoria shoreline protection and addressing ongoing coastal erosion concerns.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
  A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges.
• East Gippsland Shire Council urges property owners to maintain onsite wastewater systems and prevent failures
  East Gippsland Shire Council reminds property owners to maintain onsite wastewater systems, including regular servicing and septic pumping, to prevent failures and protect households, neighbours and the environment.
• Darren Chester and Gemma Rendell back Lakes Entrance Recreation Centre and celebrate rural women’s contributions to East Gippsland
  Darren Chester and Gemma Rendell back a proposed three-court recreation centre in Lakes Entrance, while Chester celebrates rural women’s contributions and supports Rendell’s campaign ahead of November’s state election.
• Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• The Nationals call for urgent public housing repairs as 147 Gippsland South properties remain vacant amid growing housing crisis
  The Nationals MP Danny O'Brien is calling for urgent repairs to 147 vacant public housing properties across Gippsland South, saying homes should be occupied amid the region's housing crisis.
• The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
  The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• Tourism industry warns visa delays threaten jobs and revenue ahead of Australia's critical Christmas holiday season this year
  Australia's tourism sector warns visa delays, rising living costs and fuel prices could put $3 billion revenue and 20,000 jobs at risk this Christmas, urging government action.
• Discover Blue Rock Lake, Gippsland’s peaceful summer escape for swimming, picnics, family fun and outdoor adventures
  Blue Rock Lake near Willow Grove offers a peaceful summer getaway with designated swimming areas, picnic facilities, playgrounds, walking trails, fishing, kayaking and nearby dining options.
• Gippsland families face rising cost pressures as Nationals criticise Labor government over interest rates, spending and inflation
  The Nationals say rising interest rates are increasing pressure on Gippsland families, criticising Labor’s spending and inflation while outlining plans for budget discipline, tax cuts and productivity.
• Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
  The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable.
• Supercars Championship returns to Phillip Island in 2027 following Victorian government multi-year contract announcement
  Bass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the Supercars Championship return to Phillip Island in 2027 under a Victorian Government multi-year contract, supporting regional tourism and economic transition following MotoGP and World Superbikes departures.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.
• Farmers denied refunds despite biosecurity overcharging and government cost recovery surplus
  DAFF will not refund farmers despite collecting $26 million in excess biosecurity fees between 2024 and 2026. An Auditor-General report identified cost recovery management failures, prompting calls for greater transparency and fairer charges.
• East Gippsland Council calls for ESVF levy reform ahead of November Victorian state election
  East Gippsland Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reform the ESVF levy, citing disproportionate regional costs and seeking fairer, transparent emergency services funding.