Sunraysia’s pumped irrigation districts have changed significantly in recent decades.
Urban expansion, volatile commodity markets and water policy reforms have shifted customer needs and priorities and will continue to influence future demand for rural water services in our region.
To address this, Lower Murray Water (LMW) is developing a Rural Masterplan 2050 (RM2050) which will provide us with provide a long-term strategy to remain flexible in a changing environment and ensure we provide an efficient and appropriately priced service for the next generation.
It will help us to respond to future challenges including population growth and urban development, ageing Sunraysia irrigation district assets, climate variability and global economic uncertainty.
Development of RM2050 will enable us to assess our rural services to identify efficiencies within the system, opportunities for further investment or the removal of redundant infrastructure. Exploring everything from commodity market opportunities and crop diversification to asset reconfiguration, RM2050 is the first step in planning to secure the future viability of our rural system, services and region.
Project scope
The RM2050 will review irrigation and drainage networks within LMW’s four primary irrigation districts of Mildura, Merbein, Red Cliffs and Robinvale, except for irrigation in Robinvale.
It will not focus on rural domestic and stock water (D&S) supplied by LMW; however, the project outcomes may impact and benefit D&S customers as secondary users of LMW irrigation systems.
Areas used for private diversion along the Murray River from Nyah to the South Australian border will also be captured, as well as peri-urban areas surrounding the Mildura and Robinvale municipalities.
The project will not include the Yelta or Millewa Water Works districts.
Project partners
LMW has appointed Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, to lead the development of RM2050.
Ricardo’s Australian consultants have a wealth of regional knowledge and experience, having worked in the Australian water policy, markets, utilities and infrastructure space for decades. They are supported by local industry and horticultural experts to ensure RM2050 is sensitive to the unique requirements of our region.
Development of RM2050 is being funded by the Victorian Government.
Have your say
Capturing the broad perspectives of stakeholders in our region will be a critical component in developing RM2050.
We will seek input from the irrigator Stategic Advisory Committee, rural customers, stakeholders and the broader community through workshops, one on one sessions and forums to receive a broad range of ideas and perspectives.
We welcome your feedback at any stage throughout the project, which can be directed to the project team via email: RM50@lmw.vic.gov.au
Keep up to date
We will continue to update our website as the development of RM2050 progresses. If you have any questions about the project, please contact the project team via email: RM50@lmw.vic.gov.au