News

Great developer interest for SMP2

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 03:51:00

Lower Murray Water is encouraged by the level of interest from potential agricultural developers to the registration of interest in participation in the SMP2 feasibility project.

Formal Registrations of Intent (RoI) close on Friday 27th January and are helping identify areas of most interest to horticultural developers for potential development under SMP2 - Strengthening Sunraysia.
LMW Managing Director Phil Endley said the RoI process is the starting point to developing a business case for the Victorian Government to submit for consideration under the Australian Government’s ‘National Water Infrastructure Development  Fund’.
“The timelines are tight, but we are encouraged by the level of interest coming from the private sector, because that is a critical element of making a successful submission,” Mr Endley said.
“As a proponent seeking funding under the Capital Component of the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, we need to demonstrate demand for affordable water that will lead to economic development and that horticultural developers provide 50% of the capital costs.” he said
The RoI process, which closes on Friday 27th January, 2017, will inform the feasibility of LMW’s proposal and the subsequent development of a business case. The deadline for the first assessment of Australian Government capital funding is March 2017.
Mr Endley said SMP2 was focused on the long-term development of the district and the benefits they would provide to LMW’s existing irrigation customer base.
“There are some promising opportunities in horticulture at the moment and there have been inquiries from developers looking at projects in Sunraysia West, Sunraysia South, Cullulleraine and also in-district,” he said.

“Our focus is on enriching and diversifying our horticultural base to secure Sunraysia’s long-term sustainability and to build long-term benefits for our  irrigation customer base and the Sunraysia community,” he said.
Mr Endley said “Developers are urged to visit our website and request the ROI document. The closing date is fast approaching and we want to give everyone the opportunity to participate.”
After the RoI’s are received on the 27th January 2017, the next stage is to undertake an evaluation of them to guide the development of the business case.
“LMW will be engaging with irrigators and the community in this next stage although the response to the request for registration of intent from the private  sector is subject to strict confidentiality”.
For more information about the SMP2 RoI process please visit the LMW website www.lmw.vic.gov.au or contact 50513 400.