GIPPSLAND NATIONALS BACK BETTER LINKS FOR GIPPSLAND GROWERS

The Nationals say the State Government's plan to move the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market from its current location in West Melbourne to Epping will disadvantage fruit and vegetable farmers in Gippsland.

The proposed $300 million centre will begin construction in 2008 on 133 hectares of land 18 kilometres north of Melbourne.

The Nationals' Member for Gippsland Province, Peter Hall, said if the market has to move, the State Government must invest in improved transport links between Epping and Gippsland if the proposed plan goes ahead.

"At present, the Wholesale Market is conveniently located almost in the heart of the city. Although traffic can be a nightmare, it is a central point for all farmers delivering their produce," said Mr Hall.

"If the Market is moved further north, those farmers coming from the south and south east of the state will have to add at least another hour to their travel time which will ultimately affect productivity and efficiency.

"It is clear the government will need to make provisions for Gippsland farmers who stand to be seriously disadvantaged by the Market's move. Better road links between Gippsland and Epping are clearly required and is incumbent on the State Government to make these a priority for funding."

While visiting local asparagus farmer Charlie Motta in Koo Wee Rup, Peter Hall and The Nationals Candidate for Bass, Jacky Abbott, heard first-hand growers' concerns about the market move.

"The employees of fruit and vegetable growers in this area leave here early in the morning to deliver their goods to market on time and to try and beat the peak hour traffic," said Ms Abbott.

"The proposed market site in Epping will make it difficult for these employees to be back to their workplaces around 8:30am in order to begin working again.

"If they move the Market to Epping, it will be a disaster for these growers, as their workers will have their trucks on the roads during peak hour traffic and will never get back in time."

Ms Abbott said the proposed market move would clearly have a devastating affect on local fruit and vegetable farmers in Gippsland region.

"Many of the fruit and vegetable farmers in this area oppose the proposed market move as they recognise it will make it very hard for them to survive in the business," said Ms Abbott.

"Small businesses such as Charlie's, especially in regional Victoria, are the backbone of the economy. State Government must support and nurture these small businesses as they are the engine room for growth and jobs across regional Victoria."