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Premier Meets With Bass CoastThe Premier, John Brumby met with a delegation from Bass Coast yesterday, to discuss the desalination plant proposed for the Shire. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 20th September 2007 - Back to News Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Neville Goodwin, Deputy Major, Cr John Duscher, Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, and Your Water Your Say action group representatives, John Gunson and Tony Eke, were all present at the meeting with Premier Brumby.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said that while it was a good meeting, it was disappointing to come away with no extra information.
"The Premier was very generous with his time and gave us a very good hearing," said Mr Bawden.
"He has agreed to come to Bass Coast to inspect the site, and meet with Council and the Your Water Your Say action group."
Mr Bawden said the Bass Coast delegation presented the Council’s and community’s concerns on desalination.
"We made it clear that we don’t understand why desalination was chosen to supplement Melbourne’s water supply," continued Mr Bawden.
"We need to see the science or research that led the government to this conclusion.
"We also asked why there wasn’t more being proposed in terms of recycling and conservation of water."
Mr Bawden said the group believed the desalination project really only responded to the symptoms of climate change, and not the causes.
"We raised the point that there is a clear link to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Desalination is a very energy intensive process," explained Mr Bawden.
"This is just one of the reasons that the project is of interest to all Victorians.
"The cost of the project will be carried by every Victorian taxpayer," said Mr Bawden.
"And the proposed plant will have an enormous impact on our coastline, which most people in this state value very highly."
Mr Bawden said the Premier responded at length.
"The Premier said the government’s water plan was formed out of concern about the change in rainfall patterns.
"We weren’t given any new information or evidence," said Mr Bawden.
"The Premier also confirmed the government was committed to the project."
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Neville Goodwin echoed Mr Bawden’s disappointment with the meeting outcome.
"The Premier has been sent the motion passed by Council in August and that contained a list of questions," said Cr Goodwin.
"I was hoping that those questions would be answered."
Cr Goodwin said he understood the disappointment of the Your Water Your Say representatives who attended the meeting.
"They felt they presented a reasonable argument that deserved answers, but they didn’t get them."
It is expected that the date for the Premier’s visit to Bass Coast will be confirmed shortly. A visit by the Minister for Water, Tim Holding is due to take place on 25 September.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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