Mond

Thursday, 16 November

ABC MOKOAN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS DIFFERENCES

The key difference between the supporters of the total decommissioning of Lake Mokoan and those wishing to retain it in some form were highlighted at a public forum held in Benalla, attended by nearly 300 people, and organised by the ABC.

Nationals member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, said… “It was clear to me that irrigators such as Wayne Spinks really know their stuff, having worked on the issue for over five years. Wayne and his fellow farmers know the issues and offer a practical common sense solutions to make water savings, while retaining security of supply of water, enhancing the environment, providing flood prevention to Benalla, protecting Aboriginal heritage sites and ensuring a bright future for our young families.

It is a different situation with many who support total decommissioning.

The Government are peddling half truths and straight out factually incorrect statements.

Some environmentalists have a dream about returning the wetlands to their original state - an impossible dream. At best a new wetland will need to be created but it will need a lot more money than is currently allocated and will take many decades to achieve.

Dr Sykes continued, “Fortunately, there is an opportunity to work together as Charles Jones of Benalla District Environmental Group indicated his preparedness to consider other options such as partitioning the lake into a water storage and wetland as has occurred at Barren Box Swamp, NSW. Mr Jones support is conditional on the proposal meeting water saving and environmental needs.

Benalla Rural City Council Mayor, John Brownstein, expressed a similar view and the ALP candidate said the that he was prepared to “take” a proposal to the Minister for Water although he doubted that any proposal would meet all identified needs.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I congratulate Joseph Thomsen and his ABC colleagues for initiating and conducting the forum.

I will continue to work with the local community to achieve the ‘win win’ outcome that we all so desperately want.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989