Wednesday, 19 November 2025

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:00): My question today is for the Minister for Water. The 2022 flood event in the Greater Shepparton region highlighted concerns with both the Loch Garry infrastructure and management. The levee surrounding the loch failed, causing extensive damage to surrounding farmland and homes in Bunbartha and surrounding areas. After a two-year review with members of the community, the Loch Garry options paper was released in August this year. Can the minister give members of the Bunbartha and surrounding communities a timeline of when an option will be decided upon?

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:00): I thank Ms Tyrrell for her question. I point out to the chamber that, yes, an options paper has been developed, and it is on the Goulburn–Murray Water website for those that are particularly interested in this. I think there are five or six options that are currently listed on that website. It is built upon significant community involvement in the process. Loch Garry is a special flood protection district, with infrastructure that provides flood protection from minor to moderate flooding. With challenges of an ageing asset and the risk of more frequent and intense flood events into the future, GMW has committed to working with the community on the future of Loch Garry, the costs and benefits of different approaches and the best balance to meet their needs. Now that the options paper has been released, I understand that Goulburn–Murray Water is committed to establishing a customer committee for Loch Garry in early 2026. This will play a major role in informing the best path forward for the community. The options are there, and then the real work in terms of how a particular option might be best suited and what all of that implies in terms of implementation still needs to be sorted out with the community before it then goes back to the board.