Lower Murray Water (LMW) is seeking to fill limited tenure vacancies on the Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) and Customer Service Advisory Committee. Successful candidates will be appointed to the SAC/CSAC pursuant to Section 122C of the Water Act 1989. LMW values diversity and is seeking and encouraging applications from irrigators with a broad range of backgrounds and experience including women, Indigenous Australians, people with a disability and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

STRATEGIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• Private Diverters (1 Member)

The purpose of the SAC is to provide guidance and advice to our Board on strategy, policy or industry matters as they impact irrigation customers and LMW generally.

CUSTOMER SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Vacancy exist on the following CSAC:

• Private Diverters (3 Members)

The purpose of the CSAC is to provide advice to LMW on a range of water and service related matters of an operational nature. Expressions of Interest open 8am Monday 13th August and close at 5.00pm Friday
14th September 2018. Forms can be downloaded from our website at www.lmw.vic.gov.au or can be collected from our Mildura office. Expressions of Interest must be accompanied by a duly signed and witnessed statutory declaration. For further information please contact:

Manager Key Stakeholders,

Kelly Fyfe

Ph: 03 5051 3400 or email: Kelly.fyfe@lmw.vic.gov.au

PHILIP ENDLEY
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Published: 06 August 2018 • Media release

The 2018-19 River Murray System Annual Operating Plan, published today, outlines possible operations across a range of water availability scenarios for the River Murray in the coming year.

Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds, said the annual plan provided water users with information about operational strategies that could be employed for extreme dry through to wet conditions.

“Actual conditions will be different to those in our scenarios but our hope is that the plan provides a useful indication to states and stakeholders about the breadth of potential river operations in the 2018-19 water year,” Mr Reynolds said.

“We experienced relatively dry conditions last year resulting in low inflows to the River Murray system and while there is a strong possibility that dry conditions will persist into the coming season, the MDBA plans for the full range of scenarios from extreme dry to wet.

“Our planning includes ways to manage the continuing risk of a delivery shortfall during peak irrigation times, where demand could potentially outstrip the ability to move water through the system because there is not the capacity for the river system to carry the water or extremely hot weather results in a spike in orders.

“By undertaking this type of planning we’re looking to ensure that the river system is operated efficiently and effectively so that state water entitlements are delivered and we maximise the water available to the southern Basin states.

Mr Reynolds said the plan was also a demonstration of the MDBA’s commitment to accountability and transparency as outlined in the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement.

“Typically the River Murray system receives most of its rainfall and inflows during the winter period so catchment and dam storage levels can change significantly in the coming weeks and months.

“That’s why later in the year we’ll review the plan and publically update it in line with prevailing conditions.”

The annual plan is prepared by the MDBA with input from the Australian Government and the Basin states of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The 2018/19 River Murray system Annual Operating Plan is available on the MDBA website.

Landholders in the Goulburn Murray and Sunraysia Irrigation Districts are being encouraged to have their say to improve water delivery share arrangements.

Over the last twelve months, the project team has engaged with key industry representatives who have helped to inform the options presented in the discussion paper on the future of delivery shares.

The discussion paper reflects a range of views and challenges around the current delivery share system, as well as differences between the Sunraysia and the Goulburn Murray regions, and puts forward options to improve it.

A delivery share is an entitlement paid by landowners to cover the costs of delivering water in irrigation districts, defined by a rate of megalitres per day.

The opening of community consultation this week is the next step in the Andrews Labor Government’s review of delivery share arrangements, which comes in response to significant changes in land and water use in Northern Victoria over the last 10 years.

As part of this review, the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning will meet with stakeholders and explore options that deliver the best outcome for communities and farmers.

The review will consider reduced water availability for irrigation, fluctuation in water prices and changes in demand for water.

It will also consider the impact of climate change — with predictions of a hotter, drier climate with lower inflows, longer droughts, less rainfall in the cool season and dams harvesting lower volumes of water.

The review is part of the Labor Government’s Water for Victoria plan to support irrigation communities as they adjust to changes in climate, water availability and the social and economic impacts of water recovery under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Community consultations will be held in Mildura on 1 August, Kerang on 2 August and Shepparton on 3 August.  For more information go to https://engage.vic.gov.au/delivery-share-review.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville

“This delivery share review will assess the best options for irrigators in Northern Victoria for a fair outcome the community can get behind.”

“Engagement with landowners and the broader community is an important part of this review – ensuring we keep people informed every step of the way.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp

“It’s important we engage with stakeholders to get an efficient irrigation system in place that supports irrigators in regional Victoria into the future.”

Today we were presented $3.025 million for Sunraysia Modernisation Project 2  (SMP2) as part of the Commonwealth’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund. The project will involve the development of over 2,000 hectares of productive land to have access to our modernised irrigation network. The works will assist in the rejuvenation of the district and is expected to add $40 million of net economic value over the next 30 years and create 30 jobs in the Sunraysia regional economy. For more information click here

Southern Rural Water, Lower Murray Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and Coliban Water have again come together to form a strategic partnership supported by the Victorian Farmers Federation, VicWater and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to launch the 2018 Rural Water Awards. Click here for more information about the Awards and the various categories for entries.

We are currently finalising our new look LMW website which will provide a better experience in using our digital services. Check out the sneak preview by clicking this link. We will update you over the coming weeks on the ‘go live’ date.

All LMW offices will be closed for the Easter public holidays (Good Friday and Easter Monday). If you have any water, irrigation, drainage and waste water emergencies please call 1800 808 830

Lower Murray Water has commenced an audit of backflow prevention devices in our region. This audit is assessing whether appropriate backflow prevention devices have been installed and are working correctly to prevent contamination of the potable water supply. If you would like further information about backflow devices and our policy click here.

We will be undertaking urban water main replacement works in Langtree Parade between 12th and 13th Streets from Monday 19 Feb until Friday 16 March. No on street parking will be available during this period. Access for local residents only. We apologise for any inconvienance while works are underway.

LMW has engaged an independent research company to contact our rural customers to check and update contact details. They will ask you to confirm the contact details we have on file and update or add if required.  These details will help us contact our customers with emergency information regarding our rural services.

LMW has seen an increase in water consumption with the recent hot weather conditions. Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place year round but are particularly important at this time of year with peak demand on our water treatment plants. Watering times are any day from 6pm – 10am, hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time. For more information click the link.