The Bracks Government will put $6 million into sustainable irrigation projects as part of a $13.9 million environmental package just approved for the Goulburn Broken region for 2006/07.
The Bracks Government will put $6 million into sustainable irrigation projects as part of a $13.9 million environmental package just approved for the Goulburn Broken region for 2006/07.
These well established ongoing projects are successful partnerships with landholders, to install better drainage, water reuse and more efficient irrigation, benefiting the environment and protecting the region's farms.
Environment and Water Minister John Thwaites said funding to the Goulburn Broken region is part of $70 million in Victorian Government funding for a broad range of environmental projects across the state in 2006/07 to be managed by Catchment Management Authorities (CMA).
"The $70 million funding will pay for salinity, erosion control, water quality, river health, land and biodiversity projects in Victoria's 10 CMA regions," Mr Thwaites said.
This year's funding from the State Government for the Goulburn Broken region will include:
- $6.4m for sustainable irrigation
- $3.9m for river health
- $1m to combat weeds and pest animals
- $650,000 for land management
- $520,000 for Second Generation Landcare, and
- $230,000 for native vegetation
Mr Thwaites said the State Government is the CMAs' major source of funding, and provides the fuel for large-scale environmental achievement.
"Last year, the CMAs used funding from the State Government and other sources to provide for nearly 60,000 hectares of native vegetation to be enhanced, rehabilitated or replanted across the state," he said.
"In partnership with landholders, the CMAs set out to protect more than 8,000 hectares of land under conservation agreements, and take actions to protect nearly 3,000 hectares from salinity in irrigated areas."
"This year, with $1 million in State funding, the Vision for the Broken Basin project will boost the health of the Broken River, complementing the significant water savings projects under way and maximising benefits for the Goulburn and Murray Rivers," Mr Thwaites said.
"The project will provide habitat restoration, the provision of fish passage at existing barriers, weed removal, the stabilisation of stream bed and banks, and other erosion control works," he said.
"A project in the Sunday Creek/Dry Creek area will receive $110,000 in State funding for assistance to landholders and on-ground works including 30 hectares of native vegetation planting, protective fencing for another 15 hectares, and 10 hectares of erosion stabilisation works," Mr Thwaites said.
"These are practical projects that benefit the environment and invest in sustainable farming," he said.
The projects being funded align with each region's community-based Regional Catchment Strategy. The range of organisations and groups that deliver projects include community and landholder groups, CMAs, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Primary Industries.