A consultation meeting at St James on Tuesday, January 20 attracted about 150 people.
Over the past few decades, average annual water inflows to the Broken system have decreased and become more variable.
This has resulted in a decline in system reliability, which is contributing to the challenges of irrigating within the system as it is currently operating.
A division of G-MW, the resilient water program, has written to all water shareholders in the Broken system with an offer to purchase water shares.
The resilient water program is now developing a business case for the Broken Reconfiguration Project to achieve funding for changes proposed by the project.
G-MW Resilient Water Program co-ordinator Sean Tenace said the program was working with the community to prepare a business case for Commonwealth consideration by late March 2026.
“Customers along the Broken Creek and community members discussed business case investigations for the Broken Reconfiguration Project at a community meeting in Saint James,” Mr Tenace said.
“Business case investigations found that a pipeline to service customers along the Broken Creek, as contemplated by the feasibility study, was not feasible nor what customers and community members wanted.
“A future management strategy to better manage the creek and its surrounds is being proposed.
“This will be supported by increasing the volume of water available for environmental use in the Broken system, which the reconfiguration project is seeking to achieve.”
The Victorian Government secured Commonwealth funding for the Broken Reconfiguration Project in May 2025.
Customers and community members interested in the project can contact resilientwater@gmwater.com.au
More information about the Broken Reconfiguration Project can be found on G-MW’s dedicated engagement platform https://yoursay.gmwater.com.au/brfs
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