THE Victorian Government has expressed "some concerns" about proposed cuts to Murray Darling Basin water entitlements.

Water Minister Tim Holding said Victoria would keep working with other states and the federal government to see if there were "better ways" of restoring the health of the Murray River than by making major cuts to irrigator water entitlements.

Mr Holding said he thought the final basin plan released at the end of the year would "look a lot different" to the draft guide released today.

"Victoria has been the leader in returning water to the Murray River and we have helped support farming communities which are still suffering from 13 years of drought. 

"We’re implementing the biggest overhaul of our irrigation system in Australia’s history returning hundred of billions of litres of water to farmers and rivers and securing the future of irrigation in Australia’s Food Bowl.   

"We want a balanced outcome for regional communities, farmers and the environment, but we have concerns with what has been proposed by the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the impact this would have.   

"We need to look closely to see if there are better ways to achieve improved environmental outcomes than what the Murray Darling Basin Authority has proposed.  

"These are complex and difficult issues; there are a range of competing views and we encourage people to make their views known to the Murray Darling Basin Authority. 

"I think the final Basin Plan that is released at the end of next year will look a lot different to the Guide that has just been released.  

"The Victorian Government will be speaking to farmers, environmentalists and business groups to listen to their views. This will shape how Victoria responds to the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s Plan. 

"It is so important we continue working towards balancing the competing needs of water users in all Murray-Darling Basin States and restoring the health of the iconic Murray River."