Media Releases

National’s Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has announced three Rodney Electorate community groups will share $806,185 in Coalition State Government funds for continued environmental works, including close to $90,000 for the Cohuna area.

The Cohuna Neighbourhood House as well as the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and the Harston Community Landcare Group have all received funds through the Victorian Coalition Government’s $20 million Communities for Nature grants program to carry out on-the-ground environmental works. 

Mr Weller said the Communities for Nature grants program delivers on the Coalition Government’s election commitment to provide practical assistance to local communities so they can continue to improve, protect and conserve our environment.

“I congratulate these three groups and land managers across Victoria for participating in this funding round and for their ongoing hard work in protecting our environment and delivering on-the-ground environmental works,” Mr Weller said. 

The Cohuna Neighbourhood House plans to use its $89,840 to enhance the remnant indigenous vegetation in the Gilrole Park through weed management and various other methods and hopes to increase community understanding of local environmental issues.

Member for Rodney, Paul Weller was on hand recently to deliver 2000 Golden perch fingerlings into the popular fishing location of Kow Swamp, near Leitchville, as the first step of a larger fish stocking program.

 

Fish stocking programs are being rolled out across the Rodney Electorate and the state as part of a $1.35 million State Coalition Government Building Northern Native Fisheries project to deliver improved angler access and a boost to already healthy fish stocks in local waters.

 

According to Fisheries Victoria figures the total number of fish to be stocked into Kow Swamp this year includes 60,000 Golden perch and 100,000 Murray cod.

 

“Survey work by Victorian Government fisheries scientists over the last two months has revealed some great fishing opportunities in the Campaspe and Loddon rivers, Gunbower Creek and Kow Swamp,” Mr Weller said.

 

“The biggest Murray cod encountered was a 104cm giant in Gunbower Creek, which was in great condition and swam away strongly after having its details recorded,” Mr Weller said.

 

Mr Weller said the Gunbower Creek had long been known as a trophy Murray cod fishery by freshwater anglers and the survey work confirmed that reputation was well deserved.

 

“Scientists also found undersize and legal size Murray cod in the Gunbower Creek, Golden perch to 53cm and many Silver perch, which are fully protected in these waters,” Mr Weller said.

 

“At Kow Swamp, Golden perch were abundant ranging from 10 to 45cm and while large Murray cod were encountered, which was exciting news for anglers, there were locations where spawning had not occurred in recent years,” he said.

 

“This suggests that environmental conditions have not been ideal and that stocking is a viable option to boost populations, replace missing year classes and provide long term fishing opportunities,” Mr Weller said.

 

“This season we will release more Murray cod into the weir pools of these rivers and Golden perch more broadly along river stretches to ensure native fish stocking will rise from 195,000 to 530,000 this year and for the next two years,” he said.

 

While supporting Fisheries Victoria with the restocking Mr Weller said towns like Gunbower, Leitchville and Cohuna receive a direct economic benefit from local people and visitors fishing in our waterways.

 

“Fishing provides an income for businesses involved in the recreational fishing industry as well as an ideal recreational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities – especially families,” he said.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller was on hand recently to deliver more than 20,000 golden Perch into the Campaspe River at Rochester as part of the Victorian Coalition Government fish stocking program.

 

The fish stocking is being rolled out across the Rodney Electorate as part of a $1.35 million Building Northern Native Fisheries project to deliver improved angler access and a boost to already healthy fish stocks in our local waters.

 

Survey work by Victorian Government fisheries scientists over the last two months has revealed some great fishing opportunities in the Campaspe

 

 “The Campaspe River revealed Murray cod to 90cm at Elmore and plenty of legal size Golden perch between Rochester and Axedale,” Mr Weller said.

 

He said that while large Murray cod were encountered, which was exciting news for anglers, there were locations where spawning had not occurred in recent years.

 

“This suggests that environmental conditions have not been ideal and that stocking is a viable option to boost populations, replace missing year classes and provide long term fishing opportunities,” Mr Weller said.

 

This season the Victorian Coalition Government will release more Murray cod into the weir pools of local rivers and more Golden perch more  broadly along river stretches.

 

Mr Weller will be also be on hand at Kow Swamp near Leitchville later this week as part of the fish stocking program.

 

“Native fish stocking will rise from 195,000 to 530,000 this year, and for the next two years,” Mr Weller said.

 

Nationals Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has encouraged Victorian duck hunters and those who oppose game shooting to do the right thing and respect each other at this year’s duck season opening.

 

The duck season will open this Saturday March 17^th at 7.10am local time and Mr Weller has encouraged duck shooters to enjoy their sport but emphasised they need to respect private landholder’s rights.

 

“The main point for both duck shooters and those who oppose the sport is to respect each other’s point of view and abide by the rules and regulations and laws set out by Parks Victoria and Victoria Police,” Mr Weller said.

 

Both Parks Victoria and members of Victoria Police will be on hand at many locations throughout the state on Saturday, including at Richardson’s Lagoon, near Echuca. 

 

The site has been in the spot light with a concerned group of locals calling for the lagoon to be reclassified from State Game Reserve to Nature Conservation Reserve to protect the flora, fauna and the endangered species that use it for refuge.

 

Mr Weller has encouraged residents at Richardson’s Lagoon to act respectfully and be aware of their rights and responsibilities when protesting.

 

“Duck numbers and the condition of wetlands across Victoria have been monitored in the lead-up to the duck season and locations accessible to duck hunters and those to be excluded have been monitored and assessed prior to the season’s opening,” Mr Weller said. 

 

Mr Weller said local businesses and regional communities will receive an economic boost from the duck season.

 

“The duck hunting season will generate a great deal of economic activity, particularly for our communities affected by last year’s floods,” he said.

 

“In relation to the effect of the floods on bird numbers, the game bird population has increased this year to levels not seen since 1984 with waterways and wetlands providing ideal habitats with an abundance of food following the breaking of the drought,” Mr Weller said.

 

“Bird populations are breeding in great numbers following the drought and our wetlands have made a rapid recovery,” he said.

 

All duck shooters and those who oppose the sport have access to up-to-date information concerning the rights of both parties in a document called Duck shooting and human safety via the Department of Primary Industries website at  www.dpi.vic.gov.au or can phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for more information.

 

The duck season will end on Monday June 11th while the stubble quail season begins on Saturday April 7th and runs through to Saturday June 30th.

Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has warned residents in the electorate who fail to control invasive plants and animals on their property to be aware of their responsibilities as the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) doubles property inspections in a major crackdown on agricultural pests and weeds.

“The Coalition Government is committed to taking action on those landholders who allow their properties to become a haven for pests and weeds, like blackberry, gorse, ragwort and thistles,” Mr Weller said.

“The government has allocated an additional $21.2 million in the state budget to boost the fight against weeds and pests and this investment is paying off,” he said.

From July to December last year DPI officers visited 2,768 properties compared to just 1,290 for the same period in 2010.

More than 600 landowners received land management or directions notices over this period demanding they take action to clean up their properties or face penalties. This is up on 288 notices issued for the same period the previous year.

“All landowners need to take responsibility for what is growing on their property and if farmers need help to identify or control agricultural pests they should contact the Department of Primary Industries for assistance,” Mr Weller said.

The DPI is implementing 90 weed enforcement projects across Victoria to support community-led action on weeds.

“It is tremendous to see the farming community work together to eradicate problem weeds and other agricultural pests; local Landcare groups and weed taskforces are great examples of this,” he said.

For more information on identifying and controlling problem pests and weeds contact the Department of Primary Industries on 136 186 or visit the website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au.

 

Nationals MP Paul Weller today announced that three landcare groups covering the Rodney electorate would receive funding for Landcare facilitator positions under the Victorian Coalition Government’s $12 million Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative.

The Upper Campaspe Combined Landcare Group, the Broken Catchment Landcare Network and the Goulburn Murray Landcare Network have each been allocated funding to employ a facilitator.

Mr Weller congratulated the group on securing the funding and encouraged residents to consider applying for the positions.

“Recruiting from within the local community means the facilitators will have a good understanding of the local area and issues and will be able to work more closely with their local groups,” he said.

“The facilitator will play a vital role in supporting the landcare group in on-ground delivery, building community capacity and partnerships and assisting with advice on project development.”

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said successful organisations would receive a fixed grant of up to $50,000 a year towards funding the facilitator positions.

He said the 60 new landcare facilitator positions would deliver on yet another Coalition Government election commitment.

“In combination with the additional $600,000 in funding announced in July, this demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to Landcare in their 25th anniversary year,” Mr Smith said.

“The Coalition Government congratulates Landcare for its engagement with the community and for its significant on-ground works that protect and enhance our environment and support sustainable agriculture.”

Landcare in Victoria covers well over one thousand landcare and other community-based environmental groups, and has thousands of members including farmers, urban residents, landholders, families and students.

For more information about Landcare, please visit www.landcarevic.net.au.

Three National Park projects in the Rodney electorate have secured funding for improvements as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s 2011-12 Healthy Parks Healthy People Community Grants Program, MP Paul Weller announced today.

Masters Hut in the Gunbower National Park has been allocated $1500 for restoration works, while two separate projects in the Heathcote-Graytown National Park have received $1100 and $2250 respectively.

“At Gunbower, the funding will be used to restore the original masters landing hut which has great historical significance to the local community,” Mr Weller said.

“Interpretation material and signage will also be installed at the site recognising the significance for the future development of camping grounds.”

Mr Weller said the Whroo Goldfields Conservation Management Network had been allocated $1100 to stage a ‘Walk & Squawk’ biodiversity celebration day in the Heathcote Graytown National Park in collaboration with Birdlife Australia.

“The network has also secured $2250 to operate education days for primary and secondary schools surrounding the Heathcote Graytown National Park,” he said.

“The days will involve community and agency presenters and through engaging educational activities will foster environmental awareness and appreciation.”

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the Healthy Parks Healthy People Community Grants Program brings communities together and allows people to connect with their local environment.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting local communities to take practical environmental action in their parks, reserves and public spaces,” Mr Smith said.

“That’s why, through the Health Parks Healthy People Community Grants Program, the Victorian Government has committed a total of $426,000 to support 155 community projects across the state.

“I congratulate the volunteers and community groups across Victoria who will receive funding as part of this program and who work tirelessly in their communities to improve their local environment,” Mr Smith said.

For further information about the Healthy Parks Healthy People Community Grants Program, please go to http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/healthy-parks-healthy-people-grants/.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has announced that communities in north central Victoria can now apply for grants under the Victorian Coalition Government’s $20 million Communities for Nature (C4N) program.

The grants will enable local communities to conduct work that will protect and enhance their local environment.

Mr Weller said there were many community groups across the Rodney electorate performing important environmental projects and he encouraged them to apply for funds.

“We are fortunate in this part of the State to be blessed with some of the most amazing landscapes and countryside that exists,” he said.

“There are many community groups across the region who volunteer countless hours of their time to projects which improve, protect and conserve our precious environment.”

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith highlighted the important role of Victorian communities in protecting the environment and delivering on-the-ground environmental works.

“C4N will encourage communities to take practical environmental action over the next four years with groups and land managers being able to apply for small project grants of up to $10,000 and between $10,000 and $150,000 for large projects,” Mr Smith said.

“This program delivers on the Coalition Government’s election commitment to provide practical assistance to help local communities make a positive difference in improving, protecting and conserving our environment.”

Mr Weller encouraged all community groups and land managers involved in everything from biodiversity and habitat preservation, to revegetation and cleaning up waterways, to apply.

“These grants are all about supporting the work of people in both urban and rural communities who freely give up their time to care for Victoria’s land, water and biodiversity,” he said.

For more information please visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/communitiesfornature or phone 1300 366 356.

Applications close on 19 December 2011.

The Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller is urging communities along the Murray River to focus on the opportunity that has emerged from the recent decision to delay the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Mr Weller, who is chairing the plan’s Victorian Advisory Group told State Parliament today that the delay, while frustrating, would provide more vital time to ensure the authority got the plan right.

He said he appreciated the delay had caused anxiety for affected communities but urged people to focus on the opportunity it presented.

“This plan has enormous ramifications for communities in my electorate and right across the Murray-Darling Basin and the most important thing is that we end up with the right plan, no matter how long that process takes.

“We have already seen the results of the rushed guide to the proposed Basin Plan released in October last year.

“It was completely biased towards environmental needs and took little account of the enormous social and economic ramifications. Had this guide been adopted, it would have been absolutely devastating for our region.”

Mr Weller said the understandable frustration of many within communities across the Murray-Darling Basin stemmed from the fact that they were continually made promises by the Federal Labor Government which were never delivered upon.

He said the government needed to appreciate the enormity of the issue and the process involved, then pick a suitable timeline and stick to it.

“The government’s current practice of making an announcement and then delaying it, is simply adding to the uncertainty and anxiety for Murray-Darling Basin communities.

“Given that we now have until mid-October to complete the proposal, it is paramount that the Federal Government listen very closely and carefully to the people who stand to be most affected.

“Balance is what is desperately required in this plan, as well as a shift away from non-strategic water buybacks, and we in the Victorian Coalition Government will be doing all within our power to ensure that is achieved.”

Nationals MP Paul Weller is encouraging residents in the Rodney electorate to nominate local people and groups who are making a positive difference to their environment for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards.

Mr Weller said the awards were an opportunity to recognise the invaluable environmental contribution volunteers make to rivers, farming land, wetlands, estuaries, coasts and urban environments.

"It's important that we highlight the efforts of those in our community who work so hard to make our land better for the generations ahead," he said.

“There are so many committed volunteers right across our region who are taking part in environmental projects that are making an enormous difference to our rivers, wetlands, parklands and farming land.”

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the awards would recognise volunteers who strive to support rivers, farming land, wetlands, estuaries, coasts and urban environments.

“We want to recognise volunteers and groups who are devoted to making sure Victoria’s natural environment is protected and restored,” Mr Smith said.

"There'll be a focus on creative initiatives including sustainable farming, bushfire recovery, awareness and partnership building."

Victorians can nominate volunteers or groups for approximately 18 award categories, including seven special Victoria-specific categories:

• Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship – $5,000
• CitiPower and Powercor Landcare Network Award – $5,000
• Dr Sidney Plowman Travel and Study Award – $4,000
• DPI Sustainable Farming Award (regional) – $500 per CMA region; Rural Press Primary Producer Award (state)
• The Bushfire Recovery Award – $15,000
• Long Service to Landcare Award – $1,000
• Long Service to Landcare – Honour Roll

Landcare is a movement of individuals and groups focusing on managing the environment in their local area. Volunteers perform a range of tasks from planting trees, stopping soil erosion and assisting with primary production, to protecting Victoria’s native wildlife and controlling weeds and pests.

Nominations have been extended until 22 July 2011. State winners will become nominees in the biennial national Landcare awards 2012. For more information visit www.landcarevic.net.au