THE Auditor General has slammed the Victorian Government for "poorly informed'' decisions on $2 billion of irrigation upgrade projects.
In a report on irrigation efficiency programs released today, the Auditor General, said poor decision making "in some cases has affected the achievement of outcomes''.
"The audit found that Victorian Government decisions to invest around $2 billion in irrigation efficiency and related projects between 2004 and 2007 were poorly informed,'' the report said.
"Whether these projects represent the best solution to achieve the Government's policy objectives of saving water and securing Victoria's water, remains unclear.''
The report examined "how effectively, efficiently and economically irrigation-related programs have been planned and managed to achieve intended outcomes''.
It looked at the planning for the Foodbowl Modernisation Project and the Sugarloaf Pipeline.
It also examined the "planning, project management and project outcomes'' for the Central Goulburn 1,2,3, and 4 Channel Automation Project, Shepparton Irrigation Area Modernisation Project and the Macalister Channel Automation Project.
The heaviest criticism was reserved for the Foodbowl Modernisation Project.
"The decision to commit $1 billion was based on advice of water savings and cost assumptions that had not been verified, technology that had not yet proven itself and the feasibility of the project, which was unknown,'' the report said.
"As a consequence, assumed water losses have been significantly revised down, making the achievement of intended water savings less certain.''
The report also found that "all projects went straight to the development of business cases, without adequately demonstrating the need to invest or properly consider the most appropriate solution''.
It found this "represents a significant departure from mandatory requirements''.
"Poor documentation and record keeping has been a consistent concern in this audit and has inhibited the Department of Sustainability and Environment's ability to provide the necessary assurance on the status of the irrigation efficiency programs,'' it said.
