Macalister Fresh

More information

• How we will involve customers and stakeholders in the process

  We will work with customers, stakeholders and the community to develop a shared vision of what the future looks like and investment opportunities that deliver economic, environmental and cultural benefits for the region.   

  We will use a range of communications channels to promote and inform stakeholders about consultation opportunities throughout the project. 

• Who we will consult as part of the Macalister Fresh project

  We want to include a wide range of people and perspectives to inform what the future of the Gippsland area looks like and how we deliver it.  

  We will consult with our customers from across the Macalister fresh region as well as Traditional Owners, relevant Victorian and Australian government agencies, local government, relevant water agencies, agricultural industry peak bodies and environmental community groups. 

• How we will deliver the Macalister Fresh project

  The Macalister Fresh project will be delivered over 18 months in four phases.   

  Phase one will involve working with customers, stakeholders and communities across Gippsland to develop a collective vision for the future of the Macalister Irrigation Area.  

  Phase two will involve working with key stakeholders to develop principles and frameworks to guide water sharing and investment decisions.  

  Phase three will involve working with key stakeholders to develop project opportunities that aligns with the Macalister Fresh Vision, our business plan and regional strategic priorities.  

  Phase four is the final stage of the Macalister Fresh project and will involve bringing all the elements together into a high-level investment proposal. This will play a key role in attracting business and government to partner with us on water projects that will help grow Gippsland’s multi-billion-dollar food and fibre sector. 

• Why we need a vision for the Macalister Irrigation Area

  Over the last decade, we have already delivered huge benefits to farmers through modernising infrastructure in the Macalister Irrigation District.   

  Works on the last stage of modernisation will be completed in 2024. We now have an opportunity to think about how we maximise the benefits of this once-in-a-generation investment and ensuring a thriving region long into the future.   

  To do this, we need to develop a vision for the Macalister Fresh area that’s informed and shared by customers, businesses, government agencies and the community. This vision will crystallise our collective priorities and allow us to make decisions that align with it and what we all want to achieve. 

• How we will allocate water savings from modernisation

  The Macalister Fresh project will be used to develop and define the principles and frameworks to guide future water sharing and investment decisions to 2050. 

• How we will decide what projects to prioritise

  We will use the feedback we receive from customers and stakeholders during consultation, the Macalister Fresh vision and our capital expenditure plan to inform and prioritise projects.

• Why we need an investment proposal for the Macalister Irrigation Area

  The Macalister Fresh area is one of Victoria’s most important food bowls and a thriving agricultural region. Compared to other parts of the nation this area is well placed to adapt to climate change. Together with the combination of ample water savings and modern infrastructure in place this is a unique opportunity to grow the region.  

  An investment proposal, informed by the Macalister Fresh project, will articulate the value of reliable and secure rural water management in the region and identify public and private sector investment opportunities.

• Macalister Fresh Vision Statement

  The Macalister Fresh irrigation area develops into a climate resilient Gippsland province with a shared ambition of innovation and partnerships that enable our community, region and environment to flourish.  

  The region will achieve this vision through: 

  More water 

  Maximising water security and managing water efficiently to enable a productive irrigation region. 

  Great partnerships 

  Nurturing strong partnerships with government, industry, community and Traditional Owners to create opportunities to flourish for all who live and work here. 

  Best practice and innovation 

  Valuing innovation and applying best practice water management to deliver social, environmentally and economically sustainable outcomes with acceptable risk. 

  Telling the region’s story 

  Recognising what is special about the region and embracing opportunities to share its story as a place of prosperity to attract new investment for long-term growth. 

• December 2024 project update

  Since we formed the stakeholder reference group in March 2024, we’ve held three workshops to bring the region’s diverse voices together. 

  Our first big win came in May when we agreed on a vision for the Macalister Fresh area that was informed by the aspirations of customers, businesses, government agencies and our community.

  The vision underpins the plan and crystallises the collective priorities of stakeholders to allow us to make decisions in line with what we all want to achieve for a thriving future.

  It has been rewarding to work with such passionate stakeholders and see them work together to identify new opportunities that could attract both public and private investment, and importantly deliver lasting benefits for the Gippsland community. Throughout the workshops, there’s been a strong sense of optimism and energy, and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their time and hard work this year.

  We have recently finalised the decision-making framework that helps us identify potential projects that align with the Macalister Fresh vision and project pillars, our operating framework and government requirements. 

  Our decision-making framework sets out a process to ensure we apply a consistent set of rules when considering opportunities and projects. We will use this framework to guide us in our thinking and to show the community how we will assess projects objectively and prioritise them.

  The next step is to develop a consultation paper to invite discussion with customers and stakeholders about the future of the irrigation area. We’re aiming to complete this work early next year and we’re on track to deliver a Macalister Fresh proposal that brings together all our work, highlights the opportunities, and the investment proposition in mid-2025.