THE Victorian Government has re-opened the debate on limiting the construction of small amenity and lifestyle dams.
The call is in response to a dramatic surge in the amount of runoff being captured in stock and domestic dams before it reaches major irrigation storages in northern Victoria.
The draft Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy calls for public comment on giving catchment management authorities the power to limit small dams on lifestyle blocks.
Alternatively, the strategy proposes restrictions on dams on rural sub-divisions.
"Differentiating domestic and stock use from lifestyle use may be problematic," the authors say.
"Equally, it may be necessary only where catchment authorities judge the issue to be significant within the overall water resource picture.
The strategy dismisses trying to licence 310,000 farm dams.
Victorian Farmers Federation Water Council chairman Richard Anderson said the federation believed farmers should be allowed to maintain a reliable and adequate water supply for commercial farming operations.
The strategy also raises concerns about the growth of stock and domestic bores. It proposes these be licensed and metered in some catchments.
Mr Anderson said the strategy proposals were vital and should be read by all farmers.
"The VFF urges all farmers to provide comment to the Department of Sustainability and Environment directly or at any of the scheduled consultation meetings," he said.
