The Victorian and federal governments are clashing over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan extension.

The fate of Victorian floodplain ecosystems has been uncertain since Victoria refused to sign the federal government's Murray-Darling Basin Plan extension. This refusal has led to a political standoff.

The federal government has linked funding for Victoria's Floodplain Restoration Projects, also known as Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects, to the extension of the plan. Victoria stands as the sole basin state not in agreement.

Victoria's Water Minister, Harriet Shing, expressed concerns over federal irrigation water buybacks enabled by the plan's amendments, believing they could harm Victorian communities. 

Despite the federal government's stance, Ms Shing says projects are needed for the environment, particularly Hattah North, whose survival hinges on consistent water distribution. 

Without funding, the ecosystem cannot develop the needed resilience to climate change.

A spokesperson for Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek has stated that the federal government had offered funding, which the Victorian government had declined. 

All other basin states had agreed and would receive federal support for their SDLAM projects.

If funding is secured, Victoria plans to install pipes and regulators to deliver water to Hattah North and eight other locations. This initiative aims to save 72.5 gigalitres of water, which would otherwise be required for natural flooding events on floodplains.

The water savings from these projects would contribute to the basin-wide target of 605GL in water savings under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.