Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said he was looking forward to works progressing on the next stage of the MID2030 Macalister Irrigation Modernisation Project.
With stage one now complete, Mr Chester said the Federal Government had committed $20 million to the stage 1B, the Southern Tinamba Pipeline upgrade.
“The Macalister Irrigation District produces world-class dairy and other high-value produce and is a major job source for our region,” Mr Chester said
“The MID contributes an estimated $500 million to the Victorian economy.
“Upgrades to the outdated channel system in the Tinamba section will not only protect the jobs we have, but will create an opportunity to further grow the industry with improved efficiency and water savings.
“This investment is critical for Gippsland economic growth and is predicted to deliver an extra $45 million to $50 million into Victoria’s economy each year.”
Stage 1B Southern Tinamba pipeline project is being jointly funded by irrigators and the Federal and State Governments, with each contributing one third of the $60 million total. The project will save an additional 9,700 ML of water by reducing losses.
