Mond

Monday, 25 September 2006

MOKOAN WETLANDS COST BLOW OUT UP TO $33 MILLION

The Mokoan Wetland Rehabilitation Project could cost up to $33 million according to the Future Land Use Strategy Report released for public comment last week.

Dr Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla said, “The project is estimated to cost $23 million, plus or minus 40%. Given this Government’s track record, plus 40% is the most likely outcome meaning that the cost will be $33 million.

“This is a far cry from the original budget allocation of $1 million and brings into question the cost effectiveness of the project.

“What is even more disturbing is that the allocation for specific ecological rehabilitation is still only $3.3 million which will be grossly inadequate. Unless this budget is closer to $10 million we will end up with a weed infested jungle as a haven for feral cats, foxes, rabbits, hares and even wild pigs and deer.

“Key costs in the project include a Tourist Interpretive Centre, tourist accommodation, a research centre and infrastructure management.”

Dr Sykes continued, “From a technical perspective the report has several deficiencies including no reference to similar projects elsewhere in the world, not even to nearby projects at Albury-Wodonga and Barren Box Swamp near Griffith, NSW.

“The report is also sanitised to exclude reference to the need to satisfy Commonwealth Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) requirements for endangered species such as the Latham’s Snipe and the Murray Cod.

“I am also concerned about the lack of practicality of the proposal to use sheep for weed control – I estimate up to 100,000 sheep will be required for just a few weeks and that in excess of 100km of extra fencing and numerous watering points will be required.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “In its present form there is not ‘a snowflakes chance in hell’ of this project delivering the desired outcome stated at the beginning of the report ie the outcome needs to be ecologically sustainable, technically feasible and cost effective to establish and maintain.”

“A cost blow out of this proportion and the inability to address complex wetland rehabilitation issues must surely bring into question the cost effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed decommissioning of Lake Mokoan.

“It is time for the Bracks Government to go back to the drawing board and this time work with local people to achieve cost effective water savings in a ‘win win’ situation.” Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989