The contrast between central Victoria's green gardens and the fire and dust afflicting regions to the north is stark, but the dry does have implications for our region.

The water shortages facing many towns and farms mean that there is intense pressure on managers and governments to find new supplies.

A rally in Canberra this week drew about a thousand people calling for action and was a clear demonstration of the desperate circumstances many face.

Read more: Convoy at parliament to protest Basin Plan

The pressure on governments to act is intense, and the shape of Murray-Darling Basin politics means that calls for changes to the rules for water management are an issue for our region, too.

Northern Victorian councils spoke up this week to reassert that their communities are not in a position to hand over water to those north of the Murray River.

"We can't afford to lose any more water out of our irrigation systems," is the councils' catch-cry, and on that point they have the support of the Victorian Government.

Read more: Murray River Group of Councils back Victorian government Murray Darling water sharing arrangements

"While we agree the Basin Plan needs to be adaptive - these water sharing rules pre-date the Plan and are the basis for states making the best decisions possible for allocations to their farmers," the water minister, Lisa Neville, said.

The Basin Plan was initiated in response to the last big dry spell - the Millennium drought - and, as its managers and supporters point out, is yet to run its course.

But the framework - described as a "grand national endeavour" - is under considerable strain, especially from those who argue that too much water is being directed to rivers and wetlands while people suffer.

Mick Keelty, acting as the interim Inspector-General for the basin, will review how water is shared and report back to the Federal Government early next year.

This drought is a monumental test for the plan and the spirit of co-operation that gave it its early impetus.