The Federal Government has come to the assistance of salad and vegetable producers in the Lindenow Valley, with the announcement of $10 million to help provide water security.
Just last week, farmers told FreshPlaza that next season was under threat unless something was done over winter. Growers will now have the opportunity to put forward a business case for water security projects, and if successful, that money is going to be matched by the government.
"We've been trying now for the best part of 10 years to provide improved water security for irrigators on the Mitchell River," Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said. "So, it's important in terms of the economic future of our region, but also important for the food security of our nation."
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack adds this funding is going to provide certainty for growers, as well jobs for the future.
"This $10 million investment of course as part of a $20 million project is going to make such a difference for the farmers around here, such a difference for the local economy and such a difference for local jobs," he said. "Now in one of the earlier business cases for this project - and this project has been a long time in the making - it suggested that there was going to be an increase of $57.1 million of agricultural output. So, a $57.1 million increase in agricultural output around this region which already underpins 400 jobs on farm and 250 jobs in processing in Bairnsdale. That's only going to increase."
The money is being allocated through the Community Development Grant, and will be managed by the East Gippsland Shire Council. Mr McCormack says farmers have already started thinking about how the money could be used.
"I know Bill Bulmer owns a 600-hectare property, and grows some of the best broccoli and lettuce, all sorts of vegetables for domestic supply and indeed export," he said. "I know that he's looking at putting in a 400-megalitre dam, and I know that other farms besides him are thinking of doing exactly the same thing. Ross Ingram was talking this morning about what he hopes and plans to do. This is going to make such a difference for these farmers to be able to store the water on farm in times of peak flows, and then to be able to use it in times when it's dry."
The region's water supply, the Mitchell River, is heritage listed, and does not contain a dam or any other form of storage. Once levels drop below a certain environmental flow point, farmers and irrigators are restricted in stages. However, at the moment there is a total ban.
"We need it to rain; we need it to rain more," Mr McCormack said. "But we also need to be able to store that water when it does rain to use when we have dry times. Of course, the farmers here have experienced very dry times - the drought notwithstanding, this area still has produced well above its output. It's still producing the very best food, vegetables that is used right around Australia and indeed, elsewhere in the world. We know that seven out of the 10 biggest vegetable growers in Australia come from right around this region. So, they'll benefit from this investment."
Farmers were also concerned about meeting market requirements and the reputational risk to the region; in terms of both reduced quality and quantity, due to the effects of the drought. Victorian Member for East Gippsland, Tim Bull says growers should now have the confidence moving forward.
"This will allow them to have the security going forward to invest, meet their markets which is critically important to their ongoing viability," he said. "It's generally just a great outcome not only for the growers themselves but also for the whole Gippsland and Victorian economy. Everybody will benefit out of this announcement."
For more information
East Gippsland Shire Council
Phone: +61 3 5153 9500
feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au