AS THE second incarnation of Murray-Darling reform is rolled out today, Victorians living and working in the southern part of the basin are coming to terms with what it means for their livelihoods and environment.

At Stanhope — one of the small irrigation towns identified as especially vulnerable to cuts in water availability — dairy farmer Alison Couston says locals have lost faith in the process deciding their future.

Yorta Yorta chairman Lee Joachim, in the Barmah forest at Hut Lakes, hopes allocations from the water authority will help sustain Yorta Yorta culture practices. Credit:Justin McManus

Ms Couston wore a noose around her neck at a community meeting on the original basin plan last year. She was representing her view of the plight of irrigators under the initial proposal of a cut in water use of 3000billion to 4000billion litres. One year on — and with the cut in water use reduced to 2750billion litres — her views have not changed.

"If I have to put my noose around my neck again to get the message across I will," she says.