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Gippsland Plundered By State Water ProposalsEastern Region MP Peter Hall is not convinced the State Government’s latest water plans will benefit the greater Gippsland region and has accused the Bracks’ regime of panicking in a bid to be seen to be doing something about the water crisis. By Peter Hall - 25th June 2007 - Back to News The Nationals Resources spokesman said the announcements today (19 June) would result in further net losses of water for the benefit of Melbourne.
Mr Hall also slammed the Government’s announcement of a major desalination plant in the Wonthaggi area without proper local community consultation.
"While Wonthaggi and Phillip Island desperately need additional water, it is arrogant of the Government to unilaterally declare a site for a major industrial facility without ascertaining the views of the local and regional community," Mr Hall said.
Overall, Mr Hall said it was another case of resources in Gippsland being used to prop up Melbourne.
"Under the plan announced today, 15 billion litres of water each year will be taken from West Gippsland’s Tarago Reservoir and piped to Melbourne, with a major fall back being that environmental flows will be taken from the Thomson River and re-directed to Melbourne.
"In case the Government hadn’t noticed, there is a drought in this area, yet water used for creation of food for us all is being earmarked for Melbourne’s showers and toilets. In the meantime the proposal to send Melbourne’s waste water to the Latrobe Valley is still up in the air," Mr Hall said.
He added that the Nationals supported the concept of a desalination plant, but expressed surprise that a Wonthaggi location had seemingly been decided without any form of community consultation.
"I wonder if the Government will have the courtesy to ask local people what the effect of this might be on them?" he said. "It may well be a very good thing, but this Government, which apparently prides itself on its transparency, might do well to do its homework before making a sweeping statement that will have a major impact on a country region."
Mr Hall added the Government’s water plan did nothing to secure water supplies for Latrobe Valley power generators and industry.
"It seems the Eastern Water Recycling Project is not closer to resolution and it is apparent that the Government’s plans seek to address Melbourne’s water problems without due regard to the needs of Gippsland.
"Gippsland already supplies 60 percent of Melbourne’s water needs and 85 percent of Victoria’s electricity. It is about time our industries, our environment and our communities were better looked after rather than our resources exploited."
Mr Hall expressed extreme disappointment that the Government’s water plan did not include the harvesting of storm water and greater use of recycling.
The Gippsland Water Factory is a perfect example of a region treating and reusing locally produced waste. "Why can’t Melbourne do the same?" Mr Hall said.
"It seems this Labor Government continually plunders the resources of country Victoria to meet Melbourne’s needs. To suggest that Melbourne’s needs are greatest when major water storages in country Victoria typically sit at 4 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent clearly shows the bias this Government has against country Victoria.
"The water plans announced today are typified by a lot of looting of country water supplies, half-explored ideas, and not much forethought.
"The State Government is panicking as it tries to find a solution to Melbourne’s water issues, and it is not planning properly nor thinking through the ramifications of its actions for country Victoria."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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