Debate is expected to focus on moves to have an extra 450 gigalitres used for environmental water.

Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville last week told her parliament that she would not be supporting it without major change.

“Victoria will be strongly saying that we cannot sign up to that 450 gigalitres unless it can be delivered in a way that is neutral or better in terms of socio-economic impact,” Ms Neville said.

“I do not think that is going to be possible, but we will not be signing up to that until that is assured.”

NSW’s Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils and Victoria’s Murray River Group of Councils are fearful.

“We want the ministers to take account of the fact that further reduction of another 450 is only going to increase the stress of communities that are already at the end of their tethers,” RAMROC chief executive Ray Stubbs said.

The chairman of RAMROC and Albury mayor Kevin Mack echoed Mr Stubbs’ sentiment.

“It’s not just the irrigators, it really affects our whole communities,” he said.

“Our small businesses that supply farmers, their income is down, and then it flows on, to our sporting clubs.

“Irrigation communities are resilient, and they keep adapting, but there is a limit to it and the simple message is that we have reached that point.”