Review of Gippsland Lakes Rescue Package

The Gippsland Lakes Rescue Package is a State Government funded initiative aimed at improving the water quality in the Gippsland Lakes. The funding was used to form the Gippsland Lakes and Catchment Task Force (the Task Force) which was established in November 2001.

The Task Force subsequently developed the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Actions Plan. This Plan establishes clear priorities and directions, and outlines a suite of programs to be implemented by the catchment community, supported by Government and coordinated by the Task Force.

Over implementation phase 3, the three year period from 2006/07 to 2008/09, there was approximately $6M of funds invested into activities associated with the Plan. A very large portion of this funding was directed to the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) Incentives to drive the adoption of re-use systems, conversion of flood to spray irrigation, and the development of Irrigation Farm Planning to reduce sediment and nutrient export from the region.

Phase 3 has now been completed and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) commissioned Alluvium to evaluate the success of the program to inform the approach and need for further funding. This study comprised of an independent review of the management of program finances, an assessment of performance against documented targets and measures, and evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of work techniques engaged in delivery.