The Proposal

The transition of the channel scheme to local ownership means existing irrigation assets would be owned and controlled by the irrigators within the schemes. Local ownership would only relate to assets associated with the channel distribution scheme such as channels, pipes, and drains. Bulk water supply assets such as rivers and dams are not included and will remain owned and managed by SunWater. SunWater will continue to deliver bulk water to the channel system while Theodore Water Pty Ltd will be responsible for its delivery to allocation holders.

For the government to transfer the irrigation assets, irrigators within the schemes must support local management and demonstrate the capability to operate them as long-term viable businesses.

Theodore Water Pty Ltd’s role is to investigate current and potential management capabilities, sustainability of the scheme, viability of local ownership, support from local allocation holders, and to negotiate terms of the transfer with the government.

Local ownership of the system, if viable, will mean a system that is specifically tailored to the needs of the Theodore channel system irrigators with the opportunity for more innovative and flexible ways of operating the water distribution.

Theodore Water Pty Ltd must provide an endorsed final decision on the transition by late 2017. If the scheme moves to local management, it will be the responsibility of Theodore Water Pty and allocation holders to ensure the scheme remains viable well into the future. There will be no recourse to Government once local ownership has been finalized.