Tuesday, 4 September 2007

MT BEAUTY BOIL WATER NOTICE WITHDRAWN: COMMON SENSE PREVAILS

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has requested “that the enforcement of the boiled water notice (for Mount Beauty) be delayed…”

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “This is a victory for common sense and reward for the combined efforts of the local community and Alpine Shire who were able to explain the inappropriateness of the boil water notice to North East Water and DHS.

“I also wrote to the new Minister for Health requesting his assistance and I believe that his interest in the matter has helped achieve this outcome.”

Dr Sykes continued, “The DHS have now accepted the arguments of the local community that its water does comply with E. coli water quality standards.

“The long term management of Mt Beauty water quality is the subject of a consultant’s report which is still being studied by North East Water.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I congratulate the Mt Beauty community for their level headed approach to this issue and the DHS being prepared to rescind its original directive. Common sense has prevailed!”

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