NATS CALL FOR TRANSPARENT POLICY ON ESTUARY 'OPENINGS'

The Nationals Member for Gippsland Province Peter Hall has written to the Minister for Environment seeking clarification on the government's approach to opening estuaries which are causing flooding in East Gippsland.

Mr Hall said there were several estuary systems along the east coast which closed at times throughout the year and resulted in low-lying land becoming inundated with brackish or salty water.

"We have the situation in East Gippsland where townships such as Lake Tyers Beach, Marlo and Mallacoota are regularly exposed to low-level flooding because the respective entrances to the sea have closed," Mr Hall said.

"Along the Snowy River flats, there is a great deal of concern among landholders about properties becoming salt-affected when the mouth of the river is closed at Marlo.

"From time to time, the government departments take action to open the entrances but we need a consistent approach throughout the region rather than reacting to each situation as it occurs.

"I have written to the Minister to seek further information on the 'trigger points' for departmental action and urging the government to communicate better with local residents to make sure everyone understands the process."

The Nationals Candidate for Gippsland East Chris Nixon agreed that there was a need for a consistent approach to protect both public and private assets from flooding.

"Farmers on the Snowy flats have a lot of money tied up in their land and can't afford for it to be ruined by salt water," Mr Nixon said.

"We're seeing large areas of pristine, fresh water wetlands being inundated with damaging salt water and it's also threatening an area of rainforest.

"At the same time, the Lake Tyers estuary is causing some minor damage to foreshore areas at the moment and may require action in the near future.

"The recent rains in East Gippsland have seen a significant rise in lake levels and I understand that foreshore areas and walking tracks are starting to go under water.

"It would be better for the government to take pre-emptive action and open an entrance when the conditions demand it, rather than carry out repair works on damaged public assets."

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066 or 0427 747 066