Irrigation Drainage Memorandum of Understanding
Water quality in northern Victorian waterways is being improved under a program led by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).
Water, catchment and environment authorities are working together to improve the quality of water that is drained from the Shepparton and Loddon-Campaspe irrigation areas into waterways.
An independent environmental review concluded that many aspects of the irrigation drainage program in northern Victoria were performing at world's best practice. But the review also concluded that environmental performance could be further improved by enhancing environmental accountability and clarifying the management framework for drainage.
The program is based on a partnership agreement between DSE, the Environment Protection Authority, Goulburn-Murray Water and Goulburn-Broken and North Central Catchment Management Authorities; the agencies have agreed to set higher standards for monitoring irrigation drainage water quality and regular environmental audits of performance.
The partnership, underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding for Irrigation Drainage Management and Water Quality, has clarified the management framework, especially in relation to accountability for environmental performance.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to protect and improve water quality in our waterways while supporting the sustainability of our economically important irrigation industries and recognising the fundamental role of drainage in the protection of environmental values.
Irrigation Drainage and Water Quality Memorandum of Understanding (PDF~1.3mb)