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Lib-Nats move to establish inquiry into blackwater eventsShadow Minister for Water Peter Walsh has called on the Greens and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers to support a Liberal-Nationals proposal to establish a parliamentary inquiry into environmental water management in Victoria. By Portal Admin - 24th February 2017 - Back to News The proposed inquiry follows a number of significant blackwater events in recent years and ongoing community speculation of whether poor management of environmental watering plays a role.
"The environment is a significant water user in Victoria and it is important that it uses water effectively and efficiently, just like any other user," Mr Walsh said.
"There were significant blackwater events in the Southern Murray Darling Basin in recent years, which has seen many people in the community question if environmental watering could be better managed.
"If the Greens and SFF have any respect for the concerns of our country communities they will support the establishment of this inquiry."
The inquiry, proposed to Parliament by Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Luke O’Sullivan, would consider management, governance and use of environmental water in Victoria, as well as:
1. Assessing the role of environmental water management in 'blackwater' events
2. How environmental water and environmental water managers interact with and utilise management tools, such as carryover, and its impact on the availability of water for irrigators
3. Considering the barriers to more efficient use of environmental water and how to address them
4. Assessing fees and charges applied to environmental water and if they are different to other water users
Mr O’Sullivan said recent flooding had led to numerous blackwater events in northern Victoria and it was timely for parliament to consider the role of environmental water in preventing them.
"This inquiry would allow river communities, recreational fishers and water users to get the facts on the table," Mr O’Sullivan said.
"It’d give the people of northern Victoria a chance to contribute their own story so we can get a comprehensive picture of the impact devastating blackwater events have on our communities and that will inform the Committee’s final recommendations."
The motion will be debated in Parliament in coming weeks.
Media contact:
Emma Manser
0437 225 386
emma.manser@opposition.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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