VFF Water Council Chair Richard Anderson said that once completed, the WRSWS will provide a broad coverage of the water challenges to face Western Victorian farmers and irrigators over the coming decades, including those based in Colac, Port Campbell, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Portland.

“Following the release of the Victorian Government’s draft WRSWS, we are now calling on all VFF members to get involved in the consultation process by attending either one of the briefing sessions hosted and facilitated by the VFF, and/or one of the public regional meetings hosted by the DSE and the Consultative Committee,” Mr Anderson said.

“Submissions for the Draft Strategy will close on 21 May 2010. These submissions and further information will influence the Final Strategy to be released late 2010. The VFF will shortly provide members with details of the VFF briefing sessions and I urge every member in the Western Region to attend.

“The outcomes of this Strategy will be significant to the farm community and it is important that VFF members take every opportunity to have their say and provide direction on its development.

“The Draft Strategy outlines 60 proposals and proposed policies, and seeks comment to improve water management for farmers, communities and the environment in Western Victoria.

“Key issues addressed include: improving the management of licensed water use, particularly groundwater; making the best use of water market through trading; stock and domestic use; water interception from land use change; water sharing arrangements in the Wimmera-Mallee supply system; ensuring water corporations’ water plans take account of changing climate; improving the way groundwater dependent ecosystems are identified and protecting them in water allocation and management decisions; preserving environmental water share and exploring opportunities to recover more water for the environment; and maximising river health benefits.