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EMBARGO: Monday 10 SeptemberThe local Your Water Your Say action group held a packed community forum last Monday night. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 12th September 2007 - Back to News I think one of the strongest messages to come from the meeting is that the methods chosen to fix Victoria’s water problems are questionable for all Victorians.
This is not just about a desalination plant being proposed in our Shire. It’s about Victorians knowing why the State Government has chosen desalination to boost Melbourne’s water supply. It’s about Victorians having a say in how our water problems are overcome. All Victorians have a stake in water.
Last week the Council unanimously supported a motion tabled by National Party Member for Gippsland Province, Peter Hall MLC. The motion asks for an inquiry into future options for Melbourne’s water supply. This motion will be addressed during the next sitting of State Parliament on 18 September.
We have written to all State MPs across Victoria asking them to support the motion. I urge you to contact your friends and family around Victoria. Ask them to call or email their local MP to request their support for the motion.
In addition, we will be asking for meetings with Party leaders to ask for their support. We have also written to all Victorian councils asking them to contact their local MPs. And the Your Water Your Say group will be making appeals to environmental and community groups across Victoria to do the same.
Come on Bass Coast – this is an issue we need to bring to Victoria! We cannot do this alone.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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