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Recycled Water Should Stay In MelbourneThe National Party says Melbourne’s recycled water should stay in Melbourne to meet the needs of fresh vegetable growers in areas such as the Mornington Peninsula and Werribee. By Peter Hall - 30th October 2006 - Back to News Gippsland MP and National Candidate for Upper House Eastern Region seat, PETER HALL, toured the Peninsula this week and came more convinced than ever that Gippsland’s water should stay in Gippsland as much as possible.
"It makes much more sense for water from the proposed recycling plant at Carrum to be used in the immediate region, where it is desperately needed," Mr Hall said.
"There is a $100 million a year vegetable industry on the Mornington Peninsula alone that needs water to survive.
"Why spend taxpayers money to send recycled water to the Latrobe Valley, and have another pipe going the other way to take Gippsland water to Melbourne? The cost of establishing two systems to transport long distances doesn’t make sense when existing water supplies are required close to their source."
Mr Hall’s comments were backed up by The Nationals candidates in Morwell and Narracan, Russell Northe and John Verhoeven respectively.
"The Government has been talking about taking water away from the Tarago Reservoir for Melbourne," Mr Verhoeven said. "If they thought it through more clearly, the sensible thing to do is use recycled water from the city in areas like the Peninsula and Werribee, which would free up other water for Melbourne proper. Then they could leave our water alone."
Mr Northe said the State Government, in its announcement that the recycled water would be used in power stations in the Latrobe Valley, had skipped over one vital fact – would the power generators agree to use it?
"Power generators operate in a finely tuned, high technology precision industry," he said. "They will not and should not be expected to put billion dollar infrastructure at risk simply because the Bracks’ Government dreams up some scheme to rip off Gippsland’s water supplies and send us their recycled supply, with the hope of picking up votes in Melbourne."
Mr Hall said the Bracks’ Government had paid no heed to the increasingly dry conditions over a number of years and now left many Victorian communities perilously close to running out of water.
He said The Nationals had long campaigned for imposing a cap on Melbourne’s water use, the construction of new water storage dams and greater use of storm water collection and waste water re-use.
"There is little doubt that Victorians are facing a hard summer. The very least the Government should be doing is committing to practical re-use schedules like that proposed for the Peninsula and leave Gippsland’s water alone," Mr Hall concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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East Gippsland Shire Council is supporting the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally and Gippsland Lakes Boat Show, bringing classic vessels, parades, cruises, and foreshore entertainment to a national boating weekend. - Life Saving Victoria urges vigilance over Easter holidays after record drowning deaths last year
Life Saving Victoria warns Victorians to stay alert over Easter holidays, urging safety at beaches, pools, and waterways after last year’s record 13 drowning deaths nationwide. - Spring flows planned to support native fish migration and river health across West Gippsland
West Gippsland CMA's Environmental Water team is planning Spring river flows to support native fish migration, enhance river health, and balance environmental care with community enjoyment of waterways. - West Gippsland CMA invites the community to join the Portrait of a River photo competition and send their entries by 30 April 2026
West Gippsland CMA launches the annual Water for the Environment photo competition, inviting participants to capture rivers’ beauty, moods, and stories. Prizes worth $1,000 are available. Entries open April 1-30, 2026. - Melina Bath celebrates Victorian farmers’ dedication and contributions during National Agriculture Week 2025
The Nationals’ Melina Bath highlights Victorian farmers’ hard work, resilience, and vital contributions during National Agriculture Week, urging support for primary producers and celebrating their role in communities and the economy. - Martin Cameron blasts Labor over Tyers bridge blunder, says government failed truckies and ignored safety warnings
Martin Cameron has criticised Labor after revelations the Tyers bridge weight limit remained at 30 tonnes months after upgrades, accusing the government of negligence and failing regional Victorians.
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