Southern Rural Water on behalf of the Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action (DEECA) is reviewing the current water management arrangements of the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River).
The Review will progress a key action (Action 4-12) from the Victorian Government’s Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy, which is to:
- Review current management arrangements for the Wangangarra/WyYung (Mitchell River) to ensure arrangements are fit-for-purpose and consistent with other systems across the state.
- Investigate if additional entitlements could be made available to support further consumptive use, without compromising environmental and cultural values.
River systems and how we interact with them change over time, and it is critical that strategic reviews are undertaken periodically to ensure we protect beneficial uses into the future.
About the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River)
The Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) is the largest remaining river system in Victoria that does not have a large on-stream dam. It is highly valued by the community for its unique social, environmental, cultural and economic significance, as well as its freshwater contribution to the Gippsland Lakes.
Water is allocated for consumptive use, comprising irrigated agriculture, cultural water and supply to towns, including Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance.
Current water management arrangements go some way to protecting low flows over summer, through the use of passing flows, irrigation rosters and restrictions. However, the impacts of climate change on water availability during the summer months mean that the current arrangements may not adequately protect low flows over summer now and into the future.
Community engagement
We are working closely with local stakeholders and the community to better understand the unique social, environmental, cultural and economic values of the river, including if current water arrangements could be improved.
Key stakeholders include, but are not limited to:
- Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
- East Gippsland Shire Council
- East Gippsland Water
- Mitchell River irrigators
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Our engagement approach:
Stage 1
This stage will involve in-depth consultation with key stakeholders about the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) system to clearly define key issues and opportunities relating to the current water management rules.
Stage 2
Based on Stage 1 feedback, further studies may be required to determine if specific changes to arrangements could improve the way we manage the river.
We will work closely with all stakeholders during the Review.
Engagement. In-progress/completed
- Initial consultation has been completed with the following organisations:
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, East Gippsland Shire Council (including their Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee), East Gippsland Water, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Engagement. Upcoming
- Consultation with local irrigators .
More information
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What are the current Water Management Arrangements?
he current Water Management Arrangements for the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) System allow water extraction for consumptive use primarily for purposes of irrigated agriculture and drinking supply to towns (including Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance).
The Mitchell River Basin Local Management Plan provides an overview of the current water management arrangements for the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) System. It includes rosters and restrictions necessary to maintain passing flows for all users and environmental flows. A copy of this Plan can be found at: Mitchell River Basin Local Management Plan
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What is Southern Rural Water's role?
Southern Rural Water’s role is to protect the long-term sustainability of the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) and water resource by measuring water use, monitoring river flow(s), applying water restrictions and advising when users/entitlement holders can and cannot use water. Southern Rural Water does this in the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) system via licensing arrangements with local irrigators.
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What are the current licencing arrangements?
Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) Basin licences are managed in accordance with the Water Act 1989 and Policies for Managing Take and Use Licences. A copy of these policies can be found at: Victorian Water Register Take and Use Licences.
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How is water availability in Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) system changing?
A range of factors may contribute to changes in water availability in the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River). These include, but are not limited to climate change, off-stream storages and population growth. We are working closely with key stakeholders to further understand if and how the river system is changing.
Climate Change: Current water management arrangements in the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) go some way to protecting low flows over summer through passing flows and irrigation rosters and restrictions. However, current arrangements may not adequately protect low flows over summer, now and into the future as we face a hotter, drier future with climate change.
Off-stream storages: Several irrigators on the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) system have recently constructed off-stream storages to reduce reliance on the river during periods of low flow.
Population growth: Steady population growth is forecast to continue in East Gippsland, particularly around Bairnsdale which sources its drinking supply from the Wangangarra/WyYung (Mitchell River).
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How is Southern Rural Water engaging with stakeholders?
We understand that many stakeholders have strong connections and knowledge of the Wangangarra/WyYung (Mitchell River). This includes the social, environmental, cultural and economic values of the river. Consultation and engagement with key stakeholders and the community will include (but is not limited to) interviews, surveys and workshops..
We are keen to understand and learn more from all stakeholders and will directly incorporate community and stakeholder feedback in the review.
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Will water entitlements be impacted?
The review may recommend future changes to the management arrangements of the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) to ensure the river is protected for all users. Potential recommendations would follow all stakeholder engagement activities and Southern Rural Water will inform all current entitlement holders and key stakeholders of any recommendations.
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Will the review improve flows into the Gippsland Lakes?
Natural flows on the Wangangarra/Wy Yung (Mitchell River) are important for maintaining the health of the Gippsland Lakes. We will work with stakeholders to explore potential improvements to environmental flows and access to irrigation water. Further studies may be required to inform how these outcomes could be achieved.
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What benefits could result from a change in management arrangements?
Through our engagement process, we are keen to understand the perspectives of all key stakeholders and explore if there are opportunities to improve future social, environmental, cultural or economic outcomes by reviewing current water management arrangements.
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Who can I contact to speak to about the project
Please call Terry Flynn on 1300 139 510 or email srw@srw.com.au.