Victoria will turn the tap in its own time
The Victorian Government has reserved the right not to flood private properties with dam-water, even if the Federal Government tells it to.
Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh says the state will not comply with parts of the new ‘Constraint Management Strategy’ from the Murray Darling Basin Authority, if it means private residences would be put at risk.
The Constraints Management Strategy was released last week, laying out the various constraints to the effectiveness of the large-scale environmental watering program. They include river management practices, physical structures and river height limits.
Mr Walsh says the plan seems alright, but Victoria will not co-operate with the MDBA if the plan fails in practice.
“There is quite a bit of work the authority needs to do, but I think it's a step in the right direction,” the Water Minister said.
“From Victoria's point of view, our water authorities will not be deliberately releasing water from our storages at the request of the Commonwealth if there is a risk it's going to create private property flooding, because ultimately the liability for that will come back to Victoria.”