Thursday, 22 November 2007

Sykes: Pipeline, Nats plug away

The Nationals initiated a two hour debate in State Parliament this week on the North South Pipeline in order to hold the Government accountable for ensuring equitable access to water by all Victorians.

Leader Peter Ryan and the Members for Shepparton, Swan Hill and Rodney presented soundly reasoned arguments against the ill conceived proposal to take water from water stressed Northern Victoria to meet Melbourne’s growing water need and then they proposed alternatives such as increased water savings measures and increase use of recycled water and storm water.

Unfortunately, the Government response was appalling with the Minister for Water resorting to describing anti pipeline protesters as ‘quasi terrorists’ and a ‘sorry bunch of people’ and quoting figures which the Government’s own document shows to be incorrect.

Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla also raised his concerns about the pipeline during two speeches highlighting that:-

• The true cost of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project will be in excess of $4 billion with irrigators expected to contribute over $1 billion;
   
• Over 3,000 farming families in the Goulburn Valley will leave irrigated agriculture as a result of increased costs of irrigation water;
   
• Water losses in dry years are about half those quoted by the Government meaning that it is impossible to achieve the claimed water savings (225GL) in dry years when Melbourne needs water.

Dr Sykes said, “The continuing arrogance and ignorance of the Brumby Government staggers belief.

“Whilst the Nationals remain strongly committed to the upgrade of water infrastructure we will continue to fight for the proposal to be soundly based, to fully consider the social implications and to not involve surrendering some savings to Melbourne.

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

Editors: I encourage you to read the relevant sections from yesterday’s Hansard at www.parliament.vic.gov.au

Sykes:  Re: North-South Pipeline Food Bowl Modernisation Project Final Report