The outcry comes after Water Minister Tim Holding announced in late November that water restrictions for Melbourne looked likely to be relaxed.

Mr Holding cited the both the Wonthaggi desalination plant and the controversial north-south pipeline as the main justification for relaxing the restrictions, which could come into action by March.

Eastern Region MLC Peter Hall has voiced his outrage over the proposed water diversions.

''The people in Gippsland have shown their displeasure at this happening with 1584 signatures on the petition to halt this action already tabled in Parliament, with a further 250 signatures in my office,'' Mr Hall said.

Instead, Mr Hall urged the State Government to invest in the collection of stormwater and use of recycled water.

''There would be no need for the State Government to plunder 10 billion litres of Water from the Thomson,'' he said.

Gippsland MHR Darren Chester and Morwell MLA Russell Northe have both echoed Mr Hall's dismay over the diversion.

''Much of our region is experiencing a drought with rivers that are already stressed and it's clear I'm not alone in being particularly concerned over how this move will affect the environmental health of the Gippsland Lakes catchment,'' Mr Chester said.

''In flagging the possibility of easing Melbourne's water restrictions the Minister has placed more importance on gardens in Melbourne ahead of the health of Gippsland's waterways.''

Mr Northe said current water storage levels would enable Melbourne, even with minimal rainfall, to survive until the Wonthaggi desalination plant becomes operational.

''Only last Thursday, water storage levels meant Melbourne could survive for 676 days at the current average consumption rate,'' Mr Northe said.

''In addition, even with record low dam inflows for the next two years there would be enough water to survive until the Wonthaggi desalination plant is completed in 706 days.''

However, Mr Holding has hit back at the accusations, calling the National Party hypocritical, and assured the State government had measures to ''drought-proof'' Victoria.

''The hypocrisy of the National Party is breathtaking,'' Mr Holding said.

''Their policy is to build a new dam for Melbourne and the only place to build another dam is in Gippsland.

''This means water will be taken from Gippsland forever. Unlike the Opposition we have a plan to drought proof the State and the Nationals know the future of the Thomson River is secure.''