Representatives from the Future of Orbost and District (FoOD) project’s Agriculture Innovation Working Group (AgIWG) recently met with Southern Rural Water (SRW) to further explore the findings and recommended actions arising from the 2024 Water Study into underutilised irrigation entitlements on the Snowy Flats.
The study identified a significant opportunity to better utilise existing water resources to support diversified and sustainable agricultural development across the Orbost district.
Key actions discussed with SRW included:
– Promoting the Victorian Water Register and associated trading platforms
– Exploring the feasibility of a local water trading portal or Facebook-based marketplace
– Working with government to review policy settings that currently restrict use in relatively small irrigation districts
– Investigating place-based models to support more flexible water sharing arrangements.
Garry Squires, longstanding member of the AgIWG and secretary of the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasised that increasing the effectiveness of the local irrigation system isn’t just about technical improvements — it’s about unlocking underdeveloped economic potential and supporting a new wave of farm-based innovation.
“Water is a critical enabler of local transformation,” Mr Squires said.
“There’s real potential to support higher-value, climate-smart farming with the entitlements already in place.
“But right now, we’re not seeing strong local demand — and that creates a catch-22. To unlock this opportunity, we need to hear more from industry and work together to shape the right policy and enabling environment for the future.”
The discussions with SRW affirmed a shared commitment to:
– Improve visibility and usability of existing trading platforms
– Support local awareness and uptake
– Feed local insights back into broader water policy discussions
The FoOD Project sees this as part of a broader strategy to align water, land and innovation to grow a resilient local economy — one that also support social and environmental benefits.
“We thank SRW for their engagement,” Mr Squires said.
“We’re also greatly appreciative of East Gippsland Shire Council for their operational and advocacy support on this matter.
“We are confident that with the right tools and partnerships, water can flow towards productive, and integrated place-based outcomes in our district.”
