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Coalition launches National Water Taskforce to identify infrastructure projects and expand Australia’s agricultural production capacity

The Coalition’s new Water Taskforce will work with states and territories to identify infrastructure projects, upgrade water supplies and support agricultural production amid concerns about future food security.

By news@gippsland - 6th November 2026 - Back to News

The Coalition's water taskforce has met for the first time, pledging to focus on identifying new projects in each state and territory. Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said the Water Taskforce was desperately needed, given Labor has done nothing more than a discussion paper on its Food Security Strategy.

The Coalition’s Water Taskforce will collaborate with states and territories to identify new water infrastructure projects and upgrades, aiming to expand agricultural production and strengthen food security

Supporting dam development

Mr Canavan said, "The Taskforce will work with each state and territory to identify new projects as well as upgrades to existing projects. The Taskforce will use a collaborative approach and encourage states and territories to participate. We need this taskforce, because Labor's food security strategy isn't even looking at ways to unlock more food bowls in our country."

"Labor isn't considering our enormous population growth of 50 per cent this century alone – one of the fastest growing in the world. A huge problem is that Labor isn't trying to build dams or capture more water supplies to grow more food. The Department told Estimates last week water isn't something it is 'principally concerned with'.

"Labor only sees the challenges as being not limited to climate change, economic shocks, biosecurity threats, geopolitical factors and supply chain disruptions. It is startling that Labor's food security strategy doesn't focus on dams – when food can only be grown and produced through the use of water. A future Coalition Government will be hyper-focused on building more dams and unleashing the food growing potential of our nation," he said.

Increasing water availability

Shadow Minister for Water Michael McCormack said it has been too long since Australia invested in water infrastructure for the future. "Our farmers grow the best food and fibre in the world, and we need to grow the water available for agriculture as well as our growing population. The Taskforce will work with the state and territory governments across Australia to identify water projects that will support our towns and industries," Mr McCormack said.

Senator Canavan added Australia's buffer to produce more food is shrinking. "While the value of Australian farm production has more than doubled this century, its real volume has only grown by 30 per cent. Our increase in food production is not matching the population," Senator Canavan said.

Warning over food security

Australian farming is not growing as it should because:

• We have stopped building dams and opening new areas of farm production
• We have actively shut down production in our nation's foodbowl, the Murray-Darling, through water buybacks
• More than 90 per cent of our carbon emission reductions have come from converting productive farmland to forest, or more accurately to hosts for pests and weeds
• Labor's net zero agenda has pushed up costs and ended the local production of key farm inputs, like fertiliser

Senator Canavan said, "If longer-run trends continue, Australia could face domestic production shortfalls across many supermarket staples by the end of the next decade. Under this scenario, by 2040 imports could be needed to cover one in six apples, four in 10 blocks of butter and nearly half of pork consumption."

"Projected shortfalls could also reach around one-fifth of egg consumption, around 15% of chicken and rice consumption and 7% of cheese consumption. Strict biosecurity restrictions currently limit imports of eggs and chicken," he concluded.

Pictures from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• 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.
• Darren Chester and Matt Canavan to tour Gippsland industries, meeting local employers and workers across seven regional towns
  Nationals Leader Matt Canavan will tour Gippsland for two days, visiting major energy, forestry, manufacturing and agricultural businesses to discuss regional jobs, investment and industry challenges.
• Maryvale Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers upgraded sporting facilities, accessibility and community infrastructure
  Maryvale Recreation Reserve has undergone a $1.39 million redevelopment, delivering accessible cricket facilities, upgraded amenities, improved drainage, resurfacing and safety improvements through state government and Latrobe City Council funding.
• Nicholson Street Mall safety works begin as council plans longer-term redevelopment and community consultation for future improvements
  Works at Nicholson Street Mall will improve safety and amenity, including relocating the taxi rank and removing outdated infrastructure, while Council develops longer-term redevelopment plans and community consultation.
• Councils begin planning for renewable energy growth across Wellington and South Gippsland communities
  Wellington and South Gippsland councils have begun a major renewable energy planning project, backed by $4.7 million, to prepare communities for future growth through housing, infrastructure, employment, services and economic development.
• Bairnsdale Library unveils upgraded outdoor spaces with new shade structures, refreshed courtyard and improved facilities for community activities
  Bairnsdale Library has unveiled upgraded outdoor spaces featuring two louvred shade structures, refreshed courtyard landscaping and vegetable beds, supported by $79,104 in Living Libraries Infrastructure Program funding.