FEDERAL Water Minister Penny Wong has taken a swipe at the Victorian Government's failure to deliver a detailed business case on the $1 billion stage-two foodbowl project.
Senator Wong said the Federal Government had still not received the business case despite having agreed to fund the project 12 months ago.
"My department is yet to receive a project proposal from the Victorian Government," Senator Wong said.
"Obviously this means we have not been able to spend any state priority project funds in Victoria this financial year."
Speaking at last week's Victorian Farmers Federation conference, Senator Wong said she wanted to see real progress in Victoria this year.
Victorian Water Minister Tim Holding said the business case was due to be completed by the end of the month.
The Victorian Government had already informed the Commonwealth that the business case would be delivered by June 30 as part of the negotiations on the 4 per cent water trading deal announced on June 3.
"Irrigation upgrades are complex projects which the Commonwealth has no previous experience in delivering," Mr Holding said.
"Victoria's experience has taught us that comprehensive planning at the outset ensures the greatest volume of water is saved."
