Mond

Friday, 22 December 2006

NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Let’s hope that 2007 brings an early end to the current bushfires and drought which are causing great emotional pain and economic impact on families and communities in North East Victoria.

I encourage those not under immediate threat of fire to take a break and enjoy time with their family – this is the best way to ‘recharge our batteries’.

I would like to thank the thousands of CFA volunteers and DSE staff along with thousands more interstate and overseas fire fighters, SES, Police, Red Cross, Timber Industry people, Local Government and general volunteers for their fantastic efforts in combating the bushfires and minimising the damage to private property – well done!

I will continue to press the Government to deliver immediate economic support and social support services to our fire and drought ravaged communities.

Specifically, we need to attract visitors back to North East Victoria to generate income and employment. A tourism promotion campaign utilising local expertise is the starting point.

The Government must also ensure secure water supplies for all communities – a challenging task in the short term. In the long term, increased water storage capacity for communities such as Bright, Mansfield, Benalla and Euroa are essential to the long term sustainability of communities in North East Victoria.

It remains a great disappointment that country Victoria receives so little of Victoria’s $100 million per day income from taxis which we all pay.

I and my Nationals Parliamentary colleagues accept the challenging task of winning a greater share of this income to maintain and upgrade roads and bridges, to overcome the maintenance backlog at many schools and to provide basic services that our Melbourne counterparts take for granted.

I look forward to continuing to work with communities and Local Government in the best interests of North East Victoria which is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

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