The draft Strategy proposes policies and actions that aim to improve agricultural productivity while managing the environmental and cultural impacts of drainage. 

Chair of the Interdepartmental Reference Group for the Victorian Rural Drainage Strategy, Peta Maddy said: “The community is invited to have its say on the proposals in the draft Strategy to contribute to setting the new contemporary arrangements for rural drainage. 

“This is about giving clarity for landowners about who does what and who is responsible for drainage issues,” Ms Maddy said. 

The draft Strategy also proposes to improve the management of rural drainage by: 

·        Supporting landholders to make choices about how they want to manage rural drainage; 

·        Clarifying the roles, responsibilities and obligations for land-holders and agencies in rural drainage; 

·        Rebuilding the capability for agencies and land-holders to manage rural drainage to support agricultural productivity in their region; 

·        A refresh to streamline the environment and cultural approvals processes to help landholders find pathways to manage rural drainage that protect and improve environmental and cultural values; 

·        Promote opportunities for landholders and Aboriginal Victorians including Traditional Owners to collaborate in the ways they manage rural drainage.   

These arrangements for landholders will be supported by the Victorian Government, councils, catchment management authorities, Melbourne Water and rural water corporations. 

Community members and other stakeholders can get involved by making an online submission via Engage Victoria at www.engage.vic.gov.au/ruraldrainage