Media Releases

National’s Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has urged the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to revise its proposed Basin Plan and rejects the Plan as not balancing the needs of regional communities with those of the environment.

“The draft Plan needs to focus more on environmental outcomes for water usage and develop engineering solutions that better serve the environment and our farming communities,” Mr Weller said.

“We should be making the environmental water go further and it’s clear that without innovative solutions to environmental watering, the outcomes of the draft Basin Plan will not be met,” he said.

Mr Weller has again described the inevitable impacts of the draft Plan in its current form as ‘locking in the effects of the drought’ for many Rodney Electorate communities - still reeling from the long-term economic effects of the 10 year drought and recent, devastating floods.

In its official submission to the MDBA, the State Coalition Government has rejected the draft plan stating the social and economic impacts of the Plan are too costly for Victoria.

Mr Weller said under the proposed Basin Plan, water available for consumptive use would be reduced by 2750Gl.

“The impacts of these cuts will not be confined to agriculture but will also affect larger communities in the Rodney Electorate,” Mr Weller said.

“Further cuts to consumptive water will have negative knock-on effects like reduced employment and pressure on families to seek off-farm income,” he said.

Mr Weller has echoed the State Government’s call for the Gillard Government to fund environmental works and measures to make effective use of the water they already have and not continue to demand more water from Victoria.

The State Coalition Government’s full submission to the MDBA can be viewed at www.water.vic.gov.au/basin-plan-response.

Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has claimed the proposed draft Murray Darling Basin Plan would not allow the region to recover on the back of its devastating 12 year drought.

 

Following a recent Age report that stated house prices in communities throughout the Murray Darling Basin have fallen by more than four per cent, Mr Weller said the draft Plan “locks in the effects of the drought”.

 

“We should be pushing for the Federal Government to invest in engineering solutions for the environment that deliver the same environmental outcomes with less water,” Mr Weller said.

 

Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said the report into Murray Darling Basin house prices has revealed some dramatic local impacts that will be felt not only by farmers, but also the towns and industries that support them.

 

“Towns like Stanhope and Tongala need certainty in order to grow and prosper into the future – a certainty not provided by the draft Basin Plan, which fails to clearly explain how economic and social factors have been incorporated into its targets,” Senator McKenzie said.

 

“These are iconic food producing areas that have been built on the back of irrigated agriculture where water is wealth.  Now they are vulnerable communities facing an uncertain future,” she said.

 

Echoing this sentiment, Mr Weller stated the draft Basin Plan will continue to choke the dairy industry in the Murray Darling Basin region.

 

“The reduced water availability is expected to see a continued decline in milk production for the towns in this region from the already drought impacted production of 1.8 billion litres,” Mr Weller said.

 

“This figure indicates that the proposed draft Basin Plan will prolong the effects of the drought unless major changes are made to the way we manage environmental flows,” he said.

 

“We should be working towards maintaining environmental outcomes, using less water,” Mr Weller said.

Recreational anglers now enjoy greater access to a popular section of the Broken Creek at Nathalia thanks to a new boat ramp directly downstream of Chinaman’s Weir.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller said popular recreational species such as Murray cod, golden perch and redfin could be found in and around the assortment of deep pools, submerged snags and overhanging trees along this section of the Broken Creek.

“The Nathalia Angling Club along with Parks Victoria was able to construct the ramp and surrounding infrastructure thanks to funding from Fisheries Victoria,” Mr Weller said.

“Importantly local contractors were used for the majority of the construction works and materials were also sourced locally from businesses in the surrounding areas.”

In the 2011 budget the State Government allocated $16.2 million to further improve recreational fishing opportunities and facilities.

This commitment is being delivered through a range of programs including the provision of funding each year over four years towards improving and enhancing recreational fishing access and infrastructure throughout Victoria.

Mr Weller said the money would be used to upgrade existing boat launching facilities and infrastructure and improving access for anglers to piers, jetties and roads in conjunction with relevant authorities.

“We will be identifying and installing fish ladders in conjunction with catchment management authorities and water authorities, and building fishing platforms and fish cleaning tables at popular fishing locations,” he said.

Anyone with suggestions for improving recreational fishing access and infrastructure in their local area, can submit their ideas online at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has accused the Federal Government of being ‘hell-bent’ on decimating northern Victoria for no environmental gain through its draft Murary Darling Basin Plan.

In State Parliament yesterday Mr Weller said the draft plan was proof that the federal Labor-Greens coalition was driven by ideology rather than fact.

“The plan in its current form could see 420,000 megalitres taken from productive agricultural use,” he said.

“This is the equivalent of taking out Tatura and the entire Central Goulburn region.”

Mr Weller said the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke, was making false claims about salinity to sell the draft plan.

“The minister is saying that if we do not return more water to the Murray, it will die from salinity,” he said.

“Let’s look at the facts and they are that salinity levels were higher in the 1970s and 1980s than they are now.”

Mr Weller said salinity levels at Morgan in South Australia exceeded 800 electrical conductivity (EC) 42 per cent of the time from 1975 to 1985.

He said since then EC levels had dropped continually through land care programs, salt interception schemes and better farming practices.

“In 1988 the average electrical conductivity at Morgan was 583 compared to 577 in 1999.

“In the past 12 months that figure had varied between less than 100 and up to 460, with an average of less than 350 EC.

“And this is in a flood year when you would have expected a spike because in flood years the floodwaters mobilise the salt on the flood plain and send it into the river.”

Mr Weller said farmers had done an exceptional job in the past 30 years using the latest technologies to make their water go further.

He said the Federal Government should be using its money and resources to do the same with environmental water.

Mr Weller encouraged all farmers and community members to attend a public meeting on the MDBA draft plan at the Shepparton East Bank Auditorium on Tuesday 13 December at 10.30am.

Boating facilities at Waranga Basin, near Rushworth, will be the focus of a review by Goulburn Murray Water to plan for future infrastructure needs at the waterway, Member for Rodney Paul Weller announced today.

The project has been allocated $14,400 through the 2010-11 round of the Victorian Government’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program.

Mr Weller said the review was an important first step in planning for future recreational boating and boating safety needs at the basin.

“The Waranga Basin is one of the largest water storages in Victoria and is a very popular angling location,” he said.

“It is also a popular location for swimming, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing and windsurfing, which makes it all the more important that facilities be maintained for safety purposes.”

Minister for Ports Denis Napthine said 65 projects across Victoria would receive funding in the 2011-12 round of the Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP), as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s provision of $20 million over the next four years.

“We want to provide the best opportunities for Victoria’s boating enthusiasts, and funding this program will enable a range of facility upgrades and safety initiatives throughout the state,” Dr Napthine said.

“The program allows for local groups and communities to apply for grants which will enable initiatives to get off the ground and be realised.”

The BSFP is funded through a portion of recreational boat operator licensing fees and vessel registration fees, providing money for grants and statewide initiatives. The aim of the program is to make recreational boating safer and more accessible for all Victorians.

Types of projects the BSFP could fund include:
• boating facilities such as jetties and boat ramps
• navigation aids and signage
• new search and rescue vessels
• equipment and training for recognised search and rescue groups
• boating safety and education programs
• marine communications.

For more information about the 2011-12 Boating Safety and Facilities Program contact the Grants Administration Team on 1800 337 222, email boating.grants@transport.vic.gov.au or visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/grants

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has expressed serious concerns over the Murray Darling Basin draft plan released today.

Mr Weller said the plan was essentially a repackaging of last year’s report and would have disastrous consequences for rural communities.

He said the plan had failed to address the fundamental concern that taking water away from productive use would hurt irrigators and Basin communities.

“Victoria has been targeted for a disproportionate share of water savings which will result in a major reduction of economic activity in northern Victoria.

“This plan will result in the contraction of the agricultural sector, will cost thousands of jobs, put pressure on food prices and seriously hurt our rural communities.”

Mr Weller said the Murray Darling Basin Association had failed to listen once again and had neglected to outline in the proposed plan how water could be found to mitigate the impact.

“We need to see a commitment that a lower amount of water will be taken from irrigators to ensure we have a productive and viable irrigation sector long into the future,” he said.

“Any future water recovery in Victoria must be undertaken in a strategic way, with the full agreement of affected communities.

“I suspect that if we asked the Authority to explain to Victorian communities why the additional water is needed, we would find that they cannot answer this fundamental question.”

Mr Weller said proper consultation by the Authority during its 20 week engagement period would be crucial.

He said rural Victorian communities deserved to be given clear information and enough time and opportunity to consider and respond to proposals.

“The Victorian Coalition Government will continue to work closely with its communities to ensure a balanced outcome is achieved.

“The final Basin plan must get the balance right. Once the plan passes through Parliament there will be no turning back for our communities.”

The Victorian Ombudsman’s report on the handling of the Foodbowl Modernisation Project under the previous Labor government has confirmed the concern and suspicions of Northern Victorians, Member for Rodney Paul Weller said today.

In a damning report tabled in the Victorian Parliament last week, the Ombudsman revealed a culture of secrecy, inside deals, preferential treatment, incentive payments and serious conflicts of interest.

Mr Weller said the previous Brumby Labor government had some serious questions to answer.

“Perhaps of greatest concern is the Ombudsman’s finding that the previous government proceeded with the project without a business case,” he said.

“As we always suspected, the former government’s decision to invest $1 billion of Victorian taxpayers’ money for Stage 1 of the project was made in the absence of a business case approved by government and that is simply outrageous.”

Water Minister Peter Walsh said he believed the secret dealings uncovered by the Ombudsman were the tip of the iceberg.

"Since the start of this project, people have told me they suspected questionable deals and preferential treatment," Mr Walsh said.

"In Opposition the Coalition relayed these concerns to Mr Holding on many occasions, both privately and in Parliament, but he refused to act on them."

Mr Weller said the Coalition Government would now systematically work through the Ombudsman’s recommendations to address the failures highlighted.

"A full probity audit will be conducted and, in the short term, an interim CEO will be appointed to take charge of the project,” he said.

"We have also accepted the Ombudsman's recommendation to absorb NVIRP into GMW to make sure the project is delivered in a cost effective way.”

Mr Weller said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to ensuring Stage 1 and 2 of the Food Bowl Project was delivered in the best interests of the irrigation industry and the communities that relied on it, so that there was a beneficial legacy from $2 billion of investment.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has congratulated the Victorian Coalition Government for providing certainty to Goulburn-Murray irrigators and for securing the future prosperity of one of the State’s most important food producing regions.

In a notice of motion tabled in State Parliament this week, Mr Weller applauded the Coalition Government, and Water Minister Peter Walsh, for securing a sound new agreement for Stage 2 of the $1.2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP2).

Mr Weller said the deal would return 204 gigalitres to the Murray River and deliver a world-class irrigation system for northern Victoria’s food producers.

“These water savings will make an important contribution from Victoria towards reaching the sustainable diversion limits under the Murray Darling Basin Plan,” he said.

“Under the new agreement, the amount of water to be returned to the environment has more than doubled from what was originally planned under the NVIRP2.”

Mr Weller said a key part of the new agreement included changed water sharing arrangements under which 102 gigalitres of the water savings would be sold to the Commonwealth for environmental use.

He said the Victorian irrigators’ contribution to the NVIRP would come from the proceeds of selling the second 102 gigalitres of water savings generated from the project.

“This is a much fairer deal than the one proposed under Labor’s stage two of NVIRP, in which 204GL of water savings were to be equally split between the Commonwealth and irrigators.

“That deal was unsustainable in that irrigators were expected to contribute $200 million to NVIRP stage one and two which would have forced them to repay the debt via a 25-40 per cent increase in their water bills.”

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has congratulated the Victorian Coalition Government for providing certainty to Goulburn-Murray irrigators and for securing the future prosperity of one of the State’s most important food producing regions.

In a notice of motion tabled in State Parliament this week, Mr Weller applauded the Coalition Government, and Water Minister Peter Walsh, for securing a sound new agreement for Stage 2 of the $1.2 billion Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP2).

Mr Weller said the deal would return 204 gigalitres to the Murray River and deliver a world-class irrigation system for northern Victoria’s food producers.

“These water savings will make an important contribution from Victoria towards reaching the sustainable diversion limits under the Murray Darling Basin Plan,” he said.

“Under the new agreement, the amount of water to be returned to the environment has more than doubled from what was originally planned under the NVIRP2.”

Mr Weller said a key part of the new agreement included changed water sharing arrangements under which 102 gigalitres of the water savings would be sold to the Commonwealth for environmental use.

He said the Victorian irrigators’ contribution to the NVIRP would come from the proceeds of selling the second 102 gigalitres of water savings generated from the project.

“This is a much fairer deal than the one proposed under Labor’s stage two of NVIRP, in which 204GL of water savings were to be equally split between the Commonwealth and irrigators.

“That deal was unsustainable in that irrigators were expected to contribute $200 million to NVIRP stage one and two which would have forced them to repay the debt via a 25-40 per cent increase in their water bills.”

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.”