THE Federal Government will provide 3.1 billion litres of water to the internationally significant Hattah Lakes wetland, providing increased drought refuge for water birds and maintaining the health of River Red Gums.

The water will be released into Lake Yerang and Mournpall to complement 2.1 billion litres to be delivered by the Victorian Government.

This is in addition to one billion litres Victoria delivered in September.

Senator Penny Wong, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, said the Federal Government’s contribution was part of the Commonwealth’s environmental water holdings, purchased through the Government’s water buyback program for the Murray-Darling Basin.

“In this era of extended drought and climate change, we face monumental challenges in the Murray-Darling Basin,” Senator Wong said.

“We have taken over basin-wide planning and will put a new, lower, scientifically-based limit on water use in the basin for the first time ever.

“We have committed more than $4 billion so far to upgrade and modernise water and irrigation infrastructure in the basin to help our farmers and regional communities and to protect food security.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Wednesday’s Sunraysia Daily 11/11/2009.