DEVASTATED: Irrigator Maureen Cottam, along with landholder Doug Bain, fellow irrigator David Anker and Bill Sykes (MLA, Benalla) gathered at Lake Mokoan last month after hearing it would be decommissioned. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne

Irrigators doubt their future as Lake Mokoan alternative goes down the drain

Written by STEVEN BURKE.

BROKEN Valley irrigators have been left broken hearted by the State Government’s decision last month to decommission Lake Mokoan.

Water Minister, Tim Holding, said after reviewing alternate proposals, the government would proceed with the lake’s full decommissioning by the end of next year.

The irrigators’ alternative proposal would have seen the lake reduced in size to 2000 hectares (down from 6000-8000 hectares) and an 11 kilometre dam wall built to reduce water evaporation.

"The review of the irrigators’ proposal has shown it would cost $35 million to $50 million more than decommissioning, with the water savings reduced by 12,000 megalitres," Mr Holding said.

The news has come as a rude shock to local irrigators and members of the Future Land Use Committee.

They maintain the 12,000 megalitres difference was due to the government buying up 12,000 megalitres in water entitlements - actual savings from the alternative proposal would have been 33,500 megalitres, compared to the full decommissioning which would have been 34,000 megalitres in water saving.

"The vast majority of us had been expecting the worst but we didn’t want to hear it," Doug Bain, from the Future Land Use Committee said.

His comments were echoed by Karen Smith from Mt Bruno Orchards, who said the decision could spell the end of her business.

"I’m devastated," she said.

"All the work everyone has done to put forward alternate plans has been wasted.