Acting Water Minister Richard Wynne said the rules would protect the river from prolonged high flows and allow traded water to be delivered without increasing risks to Murray River water users.
The interim trade rule for 2021-22 and extension of interim operating arrangements for another 12 months were set following extensive community consultation.
“We listened to the extensive feedback from communities and now we want to trial interim rules for a further season, so we get the best outcome for the lower Goulburn River while not disadvantaging irrigators,” Mr Wynne said.
“This year’s interim operating rules will allow about the same amount of water to be delivered over summer and autumn as the last two years but importantly with greater variability of flows.”
The operating rules will allow similar flows in the Goulburn of about 40 Gl a month — but using short releases of higher flows between longer low flow periods over summer and autumn.
This coming year lower base flows averaging 1100 Ml per day will be tested with some higher releases in early summer and autumn will also be tested to see if the variable flows will allow vegetation to become established, reducing erosion and protecting riparian habitat.
Tagged water restrictions will be made permanent, closing a loophole used to get around trade limits.
Healthy Rivers campaigner Tyler Rotche said the use of limits on average daily flows was a positive step.
“This will prevent the worst damage from recent years when consistently high summer flows supplying irrigation water caused eroded riverbanks, washed away vegetation and destroyed vital fish habitat,” he said.
Environmental groups are hoping the flow rates can be reduced to below 1000 Ml per day over time.
“Whilst this restricts some of the extreme damage of past years, it doesn't go far enough and has not ruled out higher future flows,” Goulburn Valley Environment Group's John Pettigrew said.
Boating Industry Association chief executive officer Steve Walker said the 1100 Ml limit was a good step towards protecting fish habitat and river banks.
The current exemption for the Lower Broken Creek will continue while a long-term rule is to be developed in consultation with the community in coming months.
Funding of $2.7 million was provided in this year’s Victorian budget to monitor the health of the river over the next three years to help inform long-term improvements to operating rules.
