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About LM2000 plus Press Release ~ March 2001 |
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Loddon Murray 2000 plus to lobby leaders in Canberra
Myles Treseder, Woorinen North farmer and Chairman of Loddon Murray 2000 plus, will lead a local deputation to Canberra on Monday 2nd April, to meet with Agriculture Minister, Warren Truss, and Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, to put the case for phase two funding of Loddon Murray 2000 plus. Accompanying Myles will be Mr John Forrest MP, Federal Member for Mallee, Dr Sharman Stone MP, Federal Member for Murray, Mr Drew English, Chairman of the North Central Catchment Management Authority and Ms Jo Haw, Executive Officer to Loddon Murray 2000 plus. Myles says, "during phase one, Loddon Murray 2000 plus has made a significant difference to the well-being of the Loddon Murray region, but our job is not yet finished. We are looking for a commitment from the Federal Government in the May budget so that Loddon Murray 2000 plus can run its course. "We will be lobbying for phase two funding, in particular, to allow farmers to complete the developments and redevelopments they had planned during phase one, but for which we have exhausted the funds available. "It is clear that the original 'Building a new ERA' strategic plan has been instrumental in some significant regional achievements. These would not have occurred without Loddon Murray 2000 plus. There have been benefits to the community through participation in formulating the strategies, ownership of the problems and solutions, change in attitudes, development of regional identity and pride, and development and empowerment of 75 local leaders," he says. "Loddon Murray 2000 plus has already assisted 175 farming enterprises in the region with business planning and or development/redevelopment. Together with the farmers we are responsible for $8.41 million of development in the region. Based on the business plans for these 175 businesses, the net impact of this investment is estimated to be $80.7 million over the next twenty years. "Both John Forrest and Sharman Stone are pleased with our achievements during phase one. We welcome their support in helping us to put our case to the Federal Ministers. "It takes a tremendous amount of energy and work to develop the kind of momentum that Loddon Murray 2000 plus has achieved. It is also clear that our earlier work is now bearing fruit," says Myles. "The 9th March announcement by the Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby, that the State Government would provide $3.25 million for a redevelopment scheme in the Boort area is a direct result of a Prime Development Zones study initiated in 1997 by Loddon Murray 2000 plus. "We are also pleased with the 14th March announcement by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Ms. Sheryl Garbutt, of a pilot project to recover 10,000 acres of salty land near Pyramid Hill. The project will be funded from the State Government's $30 million Water for Growth initiative and involve working closely with Pyramid Salt Australia, one of the region's most innovative businesses, near Pyramid Hill," Myles says. "We have worked long and hard to raise the profile of the Loddon Murray region as Victoria's most diverse agricultural region, and a region with a very positive future. That message is finally starting to get through, but we need to finish our work," he says. Whilst in Canberra Myles will also make representations on behalf of all Rural Partnership Programs from across Australia. At a recent national meeting of these programs Loddon Murray 2000 plus was charged with the responsibility of seeking on-going support for Australia's most successful regional development initiatives. Inquiries to Jo Haw, Loddon Murray 2000 plus, phone 5450 9560. 
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Talkin' Technical Communications |
Updated: May 2001
Contact LM2000 plus: Kelly.McKnight@nre.vic.gov.au |