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Labor Fails To Support Water-Saving Irrigation MethodsThe city-centric Bracks Government has embarrassed itself again with its lack of knowledge on issues affecting country Victorians, in light of new planning provisions restricting spray irrigation systems. By Phillip Davis - 10th November 2004 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said at a time when water supplies were scarce and the Government was actively encouraging water saving measures; he was dumbfounded that Planning Minister Mary Delahunty was saying there was little difference between flood and spray irrigation systems.
Mr Davis said Planning Minister Mary Delahunty this week told the media that: "a flood or border check irrigation system properly established and maintained is roughly as efficient as pivot irrigation systems." (Weekly Times, 10 November 2004, page 3)
The comment was in response to her new changes to the Victorian Planning Provisions that will force farmers to obtain a permit if they have to remove native vegetation to use or maintain centre pivot spray irrigation systems.
"This contradicts advice from the government’s own Department of Primary Industries," Mr Davis said.
"The DPI advises on its website that border-check irrigation systems ‘can use too much water and contribute to the development of shallow water tables, nutrient loss to river systems and salinisation problems. In areas where border-check irrigation may be inappropriate, conversion from a border-check to a centre pivot system is one option for reducing water use and alleviating the environmental impacts of irrigation.’" (www.dpi.vic.gov.au)
Mr Davis said DPI Tatura has recently completed a two-year field experiment which compared water use and pasture production under both systems.
"The trials demonstrated a 20 per cent higher water efficiency for sprinkler irrigation compared to border check or flood irrigation, this supports earlier work which has shown efficiencies of up to 50 per cent," he said.
"Furthermore, the DPI’s annual report of 2002-2003 stated between the period of 2000 and 2003, $1.4 million had been spent on assisting farmers with converting from flood to spray irrigation.
"The statements from the Planning Minister contradict the advice being given to farmers and the community by the Bracks Government."
Mr Davis said the Minister’s comments also clashed with Water Minister John Thwaites, who has been advocating for more efficient water use, especially in the rural sector.
"This policy conflict shows Labor Ministers are confused and out of touch," he said.
"John Thwaites seems to be getting his own portfolios of Water and the Environment confused as well, because he is allowing the Planning Minister to change government policy on vegetation on his behalf with the restriction which limits the objective of improving water utilisation efficiency in his Water portfolio.
"Mary Delahunty has made this amendment without consultation and obviously without knowledge of how important these irrigation systems are to the Water Minister’s water conservation campaign and his Environment
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch. - Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state. - Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, warns One Gippsland Chair
One Gippsland warns growth could stall without urgent investment in housing and infrastructure to support workforce, energy projects, and address social, affordable housing shortages across the region. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government over bill limiting veterans' rights to appeal medal and bravery decisions
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned the Albanese government's proposed Defence Honours Bill, claiming it restricts veterans' rights to appeal medal decisions and undermines the independent Tribunal's role in recognising bravery. - Melina Bath denounces Allan government’s $13M machete amnesty as wasteful, ineffective stunt
Melina Bath slammed the Allan government’s $13 million machete amnesty as wasteful, ineffective, and politically motivated, criticising costly bins, media stunts, and lack of real impact on knife crime. - Sale’s burnt police station must be cleared and redeveloped after 11 years of government inaction, says Danny O’Brien
Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urges Allan Labor Government to clear and redevelop Sale’s old police station site after 11 years of inaction, following its recent deliberate burning. - Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture. - Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families. - Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease. - CFMEU corruption report exposes organised crime links, $15B project blowouts, prompting Melina Bath to demand Labor accountability
The ‘Rotting from the Top’ report exposes serious CFMEU corruption, links to organised crime, and $15 billion in project blowouts, prompting Nationals MP Melina Bath to demand Allan Labor government accountability. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs. - Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities. - Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs. - Melina Bath encourages increased funding for regional palliative care, ensuring dignity and support statewide
Melina Bath warned underfunded regional palliative care forces terminally ill Victorians into hospitals instead of home, calling for urgent investment to ensure dignity, support, and equal access across eastern Victoria. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability. - Danny O’Brien urged immediate start on Wilsons Promontory revitalisation, including the proposed Yanakie Isthmus fence
The Allan Labor government faces criticism for ongoing delays to the Wilsons Promontory sanctuary, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urging immediate construction to protect wildlife and complete the long-promised project. - Parliamentary Inquiry visits South Gippsland to examine oil, gas decommissioning and regional transition opportunities
State Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee visited South Gippsland to examine oil and gas decommissioning, and local government perspectives, highlighting infrastructure needs and renewable transition opportunities. - Danny O’Brien warns Gippslanders to stay alert as fake government email and text scams increase
Danny O’Brien urges residents to stay vigilant against sophisticated government-themed email and text scams, verify messages using Scam Safe Check, and report suspicious activity to protect the community.
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