Peter Walsh Parliamentary Speech (hansard)

PDF document available here.

Are Melbournians going to drink Recycled Water?

by councillor Chris Healy

The State Government decision to pipe water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne’s Sugarloaf Reservoir is possibly the greatest threat to the communities around Lake Eildon in the last 50 years.

Low water levels into the future will severely impact on the viability of these communities. Tourism is a major source of income for these communities and tourism is greatly impacted on by the level of the Lake. Lower water levels means warmer water, which affects the ability of the Goulburn River to support fish. This also affects the ability of fish farms to operate successfully.

Unless the water savings referred to in the Government’s press releases can be guaranteed, and I don’t personally believe that they can, then the communities of the Upper Goulburn will suffer economically. Less tourism at Lake Eildon also means less people travelling through towns such as Narbethong, Buxton ,Taggerty, Yea, Yarck etc.

The communities of the Upper Goulburn also face the threat in the future of becoming a “Declared Catchment’. This could affect usage on the lake and development around the lake and along the Goulburn River between Eildon and Yea.

I know that the Government has told us that taking water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne would not affect usage on the Lake, but the Government has also said that the people of Melbourne would not have to use recycled water.

The water that would be taken from the Goulburn River is in times of low flow basically recycled water. Treated sewerage effluent from Eildon and Alexandra goes back into the river, sullage from Thornton goes into the river and water from the river goes through three fish farms. There is also the pollution from the various farms along the river. I wonder if this water will be acceptable to the people of Melbourne or whether at some time in the future the Government will try to stop water sport on the lake and inhibit development around the lake.

One final point- The Goulburn River System supplies about 30% of the water in the Goulburn Murray Waters System. The water savings are over the whole of the Goulburn Murray Water System. All of the water for Melbourne is to be taken from the Goulburn System, so I would be very interested to hear the Government explain how the levels in Lake Eildon will actually rise.

The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of Council or other Councillors

Poll Result

Over 94% of respondents against Pipeline

|Michael Minter| Results from yea.com.au's Pipeline Poll showed that 71% of respondents would fight the pipeline proposal whilst 23% thought that it was a done deal and not worth resisting. This equates to over 94% of people being against the pipeline proposal in one form or another.

5% of people thought it was a good idea and 1% didn't care.

96 votes were recorded which was slightly dissapointing but as the poll limited the votes to 1 vote per pc this meant that only 1 vote was able to be made from each household or business. This would have significantly impacted on the total votes recorded.

Still it is a significant enough amount of votes in a small population to give a fairly reliable indication of the general feeling of the community.

Thanks for voting, a new poll will be out soon.

Protesters Surround State Minister in Yea

|Mike Dalmau| This protest follows the Colbinabbin blockage of the Premier and the public meeting in Kerang last week. Information was only leaked to protestors late yesterday afternoon about the Ministers visit. Protestors corralled State Government Minister Tim Holding in the Yea Wetlands today.

Minister Holding tried to avoid hearing from the grass roots community people by trying to slip out of theWetlands. Not to be outdone the protesters caught up with the Minister in the middle of the busy Melba Highway as he tried to make it back to his car. Minister Holding had no option but to confront the crowd. The Minister gave the State Government line that this pipeline was good for all Victorians; this brought a immediate and angry response that apparently those north of the Great Divide don’t count.

The Minister didn’t appear to comprehend that there was no new water and that the Goulburn System was already stressed. He didn’t appear to understand the stress farming and tourism families were currently under without the threat of more water being sucked out of the Goulburn System. The Minister reverted to Government spiel when asked how the proposed savings were going to be met with the Government’s commitments to the Living Murray and the Snowy River projects.

Minister Holding said the money allocated was for stage one of the Foodbowl Modernization project and could not give any indication as to how stage two would be funded. Whenever the Minister was caught out on detail of the proposal he reverted back to the Government’s mantra on the pipeline.

Video: Michael Minter, Photos: Lisa Rudd

Food Bowl Draft Report released 2nd October

EDITOR NOTE: Whether you are for or against the Pipeline this is a must read. Public Presentation of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project Steering Committee Consultation Paper will be held at the YEA TOWN HALL THIS FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER FROM 2PM to 4PM

The Food Bowl Modernisation Project Steering Committee, appointed to advise on the project, has compiled a Draft Report for consideration and review by community and key stakeholders. Specific recommendations are made in this Draft Report on implementation options for the Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

You are encouraged to make submissions to the Steering Committee during the public comment period.

These submissions are a key part of the consultation process and will be considered by the Steering Committee in the development of its Final Report for Government.

The closing date for written submissions is COB 23rd October 2007

Download a copy of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project Steering Committee's Draft Report (PDF 418kb)

What can I comment on?
The Draft Report, which encompasses Governance, Environmental Flows and Modernisation aspects.

How do I make a comment?
To assist you in making comment, a downloadable form is available. Submission Form (PDF 21kb)

Ben Hardman speaks out about the Food Bowl/Pipeline and labels Libs/Nats claims as "preposterous"

THE Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman, is continuing to represent the views of local people on the State Government’s $1 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project and Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline to the Premier, John Brumby and the Minister for Water, Tim Holding.

“I realise this project has created a great deal of anger and anxiety in the community, particularly due to the uncertainty of the route selection, the possible environmental, social and economic impacts and the impact on property owners farmers,” Mr Hardman said.

“I have been listening to many people, individuals and groups, and I am continuing to make strong representations on their behalf to the Government about their concerns and misgivings.

“It is important to note that the Food Bowl Modernisation project and the Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline are integral to one another and I believe there are compelling reasons why the project should occur.

“There has also been a great deal of misinformation from Liberal and National Party who are doing all they can to fuel community anger and confusion for their own gain.”

The Victorian Government recognises that the Goulburn Murray region, the Food Bowl, is Australia’s most important irrigation area and a vital part of the Victorian economy.

The idea that the Government would happily turn this area into a ‘dustbowl’, as the Liberals and Nationals have claimed, it is a preposterous beat-up as part of a desperate pitch for voters at the federal election.

Irrigated agriculture in the Food Bowl generates $9 billion in economic activity every year and $1.53 billion in exports. Farmers make this contribution to the state’s prosperity with water delivered through inefficient irrigation systems built more than 80 years ago and with outdated technology that does not support modern farming practices.

Currently around 30 per cent, or more than 800 billion litres, of water in the Food Bowl is lost every year on average through leaks, system inefficiencies and evaporation. This represents twice Melbourne yearly use of water.

As part of Our Water Our Future: The Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan, the Government has announced the $1 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project to recover up to 225 billion litres of that lost water by 2012.

We know these savings are achievable based on the experience from modernisation works in the Macalister Irrigation District in Gippsland, Colleambally in New South Wales and Central Goulburn 1234 in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.

As the savings in the Food Bowl Modernisation Project start to become available after 2011, they will be shared equally between irrigators, Melbourne and the environment.

All Victorians have a stake in the Food Bowl Modernisation Project as the state adapts to a drier future with climate change. That is why the Victorian Government is contributing $600 million to the project, with a further $300 million from Melbourne Water and $100 million from Goulburn Murray Water.

State Treasurer: ALL OR NOTHING ON WATER PROJECTS

Treasurer John Lenders today reminded all Victorian councils there could not be a Food Bowl Modernisation Project without the Sugarloaf Pipeline.

Speaking at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s annual general meeting, Mr Lenders said a shared investment in irrigation upgrades in northern Victoria required shared benefits.

“We must govern for the whole State, and I want to make it clear that the Victorian Government would not authorise a $600 million payment to the Food Bowl project, without the pipeline and shared benefits,” Mr Lenders told councils today.

“Melbourne households and industry will not contribute $300 million dollars to this project through Melbourne Water, without shared benefits.”

Mr Lenders said the Sugarloaf Pipeline is an integral component of the overall Food Bowl Modernisation Project, and secures 90 per cent of the funding for the irrigation upgrades.

“There will be no infrastructure upgrade without the pipeline. We cannot implement some components of the project and decommission others. It is basically all or nothing,” he said.

“This is a once in-a-lifetime opportunity to create new water for farmers, rivers and households. Councils should be firm on their position they either support the whole project or they oppose it.”

The Goulburn Murray irrigation system currently loses around 800 billion litres of water each year through seepage, evaporation and system inefficiencies – which is double what Melbourne household and industry use in a year.

Mr Lenders said the $1 billion upgrade to ageing irrigation infrastructure in regional Victoria would save 225 billion litres of water.

“Two thirds of these water savings will be provided to irrigators and rivers and the Sugarloaf Pipeline will provide the remaining third of the savings to help secure Melbourne’s water supplies,” Mr Lenders said.

“This means northern Victoria receives the vast majority of benefits including a modern irrigation system which will ensure our agriculture sector prospers through times of drought and climate change.

“Furthermore, Melbourne’s access to savings is capped at 75 billion litres so all additional savings will remain in the region.”

Mr Lenders said the Food Bowl Modernisation Project and the Sugarloaf Pipeline are a key part of the $4.9 billion Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan.

“This plan includes the desalination plant and an expansion of Victoria’s water grid and is in addition to the extensive water conservation and water recycling projects already underway including the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and the Goldfields Superpipe,” Mr Lenders said.

Large inflow to Aberfeldy Catchment questions need for Pipeline

|Mike Dalmau| I would like to forward the following email from Geoff Crapper (thanks Geoff) as it provides figures on the current state of Melbourne’s and Geelong’s water resources.

Very interesting were the comments on what happened in the Aberfeldy River last week:-

“While the 11,710 ML inflow to Thomson Res for the week was a vast improvement on the 1,450 ML inflow it received in the same week last year, the flow in the adjacent Aberfeldy River catchment for the week was 20,700 ML or 1.8 times the flow into the Thomson Res, refer to the attached Aberfeldy graph. Most of the 20,700 ML that flowed down the Aberfeldy occurred in three days. This is equivalent to 27.6% of the 75,000 ML annual requirement of Goulburn River water to be delivered to Sugarloaf Res by the proposed north-south pipeline.”

In only three days enough water came down the Aberfeldy River to be equivalent to 27.6% of annual amount of water Brumby and Holding want to take from the stressed Goulburn River system.

We have seen in the media the floods and the damage this rain event caused. We also know that the majority of this water went out to the sea.

There has to be a balance that the right amount of water is allowed to continue to flow down the Aberfeldy River for Environmental needs but flood events can be mitigated and the water saved.

I hope you are aware that with a dam built strategically on the Aberfeldy River the water saved could be reasonably easily diverted to the Thompson Reservoir.

If all new dams are bad then logic says all old dams are also bad; however the water they want to take from the Goulburn River system is only there because of a Dam –Lake Eildon; their logic does not stand up to scrutiny.

But let’s have this debate in the community and not what is happening now with a panic driven bad policy being rammed down our throats.

Let proper process take place, something we have seen next to nothing of with the proposed North-South Pipeline.

Lake Eildon Will Have More Water From Food Bowl

Lake Eildon will have more water as a result of the $1 Billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project, Water Minister Tim Holding said today.

Mr Holding said the Lake would be on average 0.27 meters higher as a result of upgrades to irrigation infrastructure in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation System.

“Lake Eildon will have more water, not less,” Mr Holding said. “Savings captured from the project will be stored in the Lake, increasing the water level as savings are stored, but not used.”

Mr Holding said about 30 per cent of water from the Goulburn Murray Irrigation System was lost every year through leaks, evaporation and system inefficiencies. “That is a waste of water by anyone’s measure,” Mr Holding said. ”The Food Bowl Modernisation Project will recover up to 225 billion litres of this lost water, and make it available instead for irrigation entitlements, environmental flows, Melbourne – and, therefore storage in Lake Eildon.

Lake Eildon, the second largest inland waterway in Australia, is an important regional tourism asset for Victoria.

Mr Holding, who is also Tourism and Major Events Minister, said recreational activities on and around the Lake would continue unchanged. “Far from any negative impact, this will be a significant positive for boating and fishing and other activities which attract so many visitors to Lake Eildon,” he said. “Tourism is a key driver for the Mansfield economy and generates an estimated $135 million each year. The Victorian Government will continue to work with Mansfield Shire Council and the local community to further develop the local tourism industry.”

Mr Holding said the Food Bowl Modernisation Project would deliver an irrigation system that met the needs of farmers and provided huge benefits for the environment and regional communities.

“The most important objective is to create a better and more sustainable future for us all. By 2012 we will have more water for farmers, more water for the environment and a more secure and flexible supply for Melbourne,” he said.

The Food Bowl Modernisation Project is a key component of the Victorian Government’s $4.9 billion investment in major infrastructure projects as part of Our Water Our Future – The Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan.

Editor Note: No mention is made of Murrindindi Council???

Excellent Pipeline Opinion Piece by Cr Leanne Pleash in Councillor Comment

Councillor Comment

|Cr Leanne Pleash, Cheviot Riding| This week I would like to share some reflections about my experience of the State Government’s proposed North-South pipeline project. I had a formal update but hope this will be better.

Over recent weeks, my life has been a blur of meetings, reading, reports, submissions and questions about the pipeline and foodbowl modernisation projects. Of course, other Council work hasn’t stopped, which is making for very full days and means missing some community meetings when things double up; I apologise to those groups and will get back as soon as I can. As for the pipeline, I am officially over “spin”, and at times I despair of ever getting simple definitive answers.

I am angry about the pace with which the State Government and Melbourne Water are pushing this project, and demanding attention that should be spent on preparing for a potentially bad fire and drought-filled summer.

I fear the project’s affects on our rivers, environment, land owners, towns, tourists and region, yet am enjoying engaging in the discussions about water and our river systems. Council is one of society’s few forums for sharing and debating viewpoints, and I argue that the State Government should have solicited public opinion before making this decision; not after.

I’m also enjoying meeting and/or working with many of the people associated with this project. Whilst I may not like their role or stance, most seem very genuine and are quite likeable.

One of the challenges we face as a community is to accept, live with, and learn from differing opinions. As long as no harm is done, I believe people must be able to support or oppose the pipe as they wish without being vilified or bullied.

The coming summer season may hold enough stresses. I strongly encourage that we all focus on what’s immediately before us, and lean on one another rather than tearing and taunting.

Personally I oppose the pipeline because I think it is bad water policy, and I can’t separate the process from the outcome. I don’t believe the end ever justifies poor means. I respect that others may think I’m misguided or am focusing on the potential impacts rather than the opportunities, but I value what I believe to be at stake and want to see that protected.

As a Councillor I represent the views of the entire community, and I openly acknowledge that some support the project while others oppose it. But I also believe I have a personal and societal responsibility to stand up and say when I think a situation or process is wrong.

At the end of the day I have to live with myself and uphold my integrity. That said, if the pipeline project can’t be stopped, I fully support local businesses or trades people offering their services, and growing local jobs. I consider that incidental benefit, rather than spruiking a bad idea for local gain. Maybe that’s a fine distinction for some, but life is messy and complex and absolutes rarely hold.

As for the pipeline project’s current status: the potential pipeline route is still being finalised and should be known early next year; the State Government is currently considering whether the pipeline project warrants a full Environment Effects Statement (EES); the Premier is considering the final Foodbowl Steering Committee’s recommendations about how any water savings should be shared and/or Melbourne’s water extracted; and the Minister for Planning is considering whether he will assume the planning authority for the project, which would remove Council from the decision making on planning matters in relation to the pipeline. Melbourne Water will host more information sessions and provide updates in late November; watch for ads in the local papers.

Very briefly on some other matters: Keith Edwards has just been appointed as the Transport Connections facilitator, so that project to address transport needs and disadvantage within the Murrindindi shire will kick off very soon. The Murrindindi Local Learning and Employment Network (MLLEN) is starting to consider the needs, opportunities and desired outcomes for education and training within the Shire, which will tie in directly with Transport Connections. Early 2008 MLLEN will focus on engaging and seeking directly the opinions of 15 – 24 year olds.

As I also won’t have another Councillor’s article in the paper this year, I extend my wishes of peace, joy and good will to everyone over the festive season. Until next time, please stay safe and stay well.

Research Reveals Potential for a Major Flaw in Water Savings Estimate

|Michael Minter| The following letter from Murrindindi councillors Chris Healy and Leanne Pleash reveals an appalling lack of research by the parties involved in estimating water savings for the Food Bowl/Pipeline Project.

The research carried out by Chris Healy and Leanne Pleash points out how flawed the water savings estimate may be. The letter has been sent to a large list of Government Ministers and the Media. The mailing list appears below the letter.

Read the letter here.

Ben Hardman responds to Cr's Healy and Pleash regarding Dethridge Meters

I am concerned about the circulation of inaccurate information relating to water savings to be achieved by the Foodbowl Modernisation Project.

I have sought expert information and have found that Councillors Pleash and Healy have based their conclusions on water savings on the extreme conditions of the 2006/07 year. In 2006/07 G-MW delivered a record low 957GL of water and allocations were limited to 29 per cent on the Goulburn system and 95 per cent on the Murray system.

This is not a representative year for water savings calculations, which need to consider longer-term seasonal averages.

Goulburn Murray Water’s Field Meter Verification program was not intended as a definitive study, but a pilot to provide preliminary indications of meter error in the field - which had not been previously possible - and an opportunity to review the performance of field-testing techniques.

More comprehensive testing is now underway, with a program to test meters in six irrigation areas including up to 50 Dethridge meters. This Field Metering Program will allow further verification and confidence in the savings estimates for the Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

The Australian National Commission for Irrigation and Drainage (ANCID)’s ‘Know the Flow’ report does not reflect accuracy in the field, but rather the conditions required to achieve accuracy within two per cent; that is that the concrete emplacements and wheels must be built close to dimensional tolerances and that these must be maintained.

Similarly, the University of Melbourne Technology in Australia 1788 – 1988 Report 4 stated that meters would have to be operating in near perfect laboratory conditions to achieve +/-three per cent accuracy – and even then, it would be difficult.

It noted that meters in the field are subject to variables that make accuracies below five per cent difficult to achieve, but also result in significant variations from one meter to another. Variables include upstream channel level, downstream tailwater level, clearances around the wheel inside the concrete emplacement, door being in or out of emplacement and the flow rate being taken.

As well, the five per cent error estimated in the MDBC Shepparton Irrigation District Total Channel Control Project was a conservative estimate of the savings attributed to meter error.

Hydro Environmental recommended that the Dethridge meter error is about 10 per cent; based its findings on the Meter Verification Program plus research ports from G-MW and other authorities. For example, as far back as May 1989 a report called ‘Water Loss Report’ prepared by A.A.Long for the Department of Water Resources states in the covering letter that ‘ it is likely that they (Dethridge Meters) underestimate water delivered to farms by perhaps 10 per cent’.

More recent investigations included Velocity Flow Measurements of 45 metered outlets at Katandra in late 2003, which indicated that Dethridge meters under recorded by more than 10 per cent, and that meter error varied by -1 per cent to almost 30 per cent in favour of the landowner.

Other authorities contacted by Hydro Environmental included Murrumbidgee, Southern Rural Water, Coleambally, Sunwater who have made similar decisions in regard to the future use of the Dethridge meter based on its inaccuracies.

Yours sincerely
Ben Hardman MP
Member for Seymour

To the major activists driving opposition to the N-S pipeline

|Peter Murray| We live in Wodonga & whilst not farmers, come from farming families.

Whilst it has been a great battle & campaign to date, we feel the foreshadowed advertising campaign by the Brumby Government needs to be pro-actively countered as a matter of urgency.

It should be noted that a number of the pro-pipeline activists and groups in their submissions to the FBMDR were critical of the government not promoting modernisation & the pipeline, and strongly urged the government to commence a campaign to gain much wider support.

(for example note the submission by City West Water Ltd (No 96) as follows.

"We urge that the trading rules associated with the sugarloaf inter-connector and the engineering specifications for the pipeline are set within a longer term perspective, consistent with the vision for the food bowl, so that the pipeline does not become the weak link in the visionary State Water Grid.

We also urge that the multiple benefits of the Food Bowl Modernisation project be more widely and strongly communicated to all Victorians".

Yarra Valley Water in its submission (No 121) to the FBMDR, under the heading of Communictions, goes much further and sets out a wide ranging agenda to "sell" the pipeline.

COMMUNICATIONS

"Despite the fact that the Food Bowl Modernisation Project is based on sound scientific principles with water savings that are achievable and verifiable, and despite the benefits that will accrue to irrigators, the environment and metropolitan Melbourne, the Project has attracted strong opposition from certain quarters in rural communities. Therefore we believe more needs to be done to explain the benefits of the project to country and city. Use should be made of the television, radio, Internet and print media; on the other hand, public meetings often attract a vocal minority and adverse media stories that magnify the volume and significance of the opposition. Some attempt should be made to encourage supporters of the Project to vocalise their opinions.

The communication effort should also include metropolitan residents as it cannot be assumed that they are both adequately informed and supportive of the Project. Indeed, failure to educate and inform the people of Melbourne could result in their opinion and goodwill being hijacked by persistent negative publicity about the Project. Key messages should include Melbourne’s $300M direct contribution to the Project and the fact that farmers and the environment will also benefit. It should also be emphasised that the Government’s $600M contribution to the Project is indirectly from all Victorian taxpayers".

$1 BILLION IRRIGATION MODERNISATION MOVES AHEAD

Water Minister Tim Holding today announced the creation of a new state owned entity to implement and manage the $1 billion investment in modernising the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation System.

Mr Holding, speaking at a modern irrigation channel in Shepparton, said the Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project (NVIRP) would begin work immediately to undertake the biggest upgrade to the system’s infrastructure in its 100-year history. “The Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project will now be tasked with managing this once in a lifetime opportunity to modernise irrigation infrastructure in the region,” Mr Holding said. “A world class irrigation delivery system will be created, helping to reduce losses of around 800 billion litres of water each year through system inefficiencies and ensuring that the region will continue to be prosperous and competitive.”

Mr Holding said the Victorian Government had adopted 50 of the 52 recommendations from the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee’s final report. “I would like to thank John Corboy, irrigators, council representatives and other key stakeholder groups for their contribution to the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee,” he said. “Their extensive work and community consultation, including 70 formal and informal information sessions and 140 submissions, has laid the foundation for this vital project.”

Key recommendations adopted include:

• Modernisation of trunks and carriers to be undertaken first;

• Melbourne’s Bulk Entitlement from the savings will be capped at 75GL per year;

• Melbourne Water and the Victorian Government cannot enter the market to purchase water; and

• Water savings will be distributed evenly across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District and allocated to irrigators as high reliability shares.

The project will provide on average 225 billion litres of water each year to be shared equally by irrigators, stressed rivers and Melbourne by 2012 and is a key part of the Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan.

Mr Holding said the only recommendation not adopted was that the environment would be required to pay for head works. “The Government has also made no decision on the distribution of savings in excess of 225 billion litres long-term average and will only do so when the level of savings can be verified as exceeding 225 billion litres from Stage 1,” he said.

The modernisation works are jointly funded with $600 million from the Victorian Government, $300 million from Melbourne Water and $100 million from Goulburn-Murray Water.

The Victorian Government will separately meet around $11 million in administrative costs associated with the establishment of the new body.

Mr Holding said a board had been appointed for NVIRP, consisting initially of six people with a broad spectrum of skills and experience including engineering, horticulture and dairy farming. "I congratulate the new Chairman Richard Guy and board members on their appointment and wish them well for delivering the required outcomes for the project,” Mr Holding said. “The Board’s first task will be to find a suitable Chief Executive Officer to mange the historic irrigation infrastructure upgrade. “NVIRP will work with Goulburn-Murray Water and other relevant agencies on developing the project plan and implementation. Goulburn-Murray Water will continue to be responsible for water management and allocations in the system.”

Mr Holding said NVIRP, which will be based in northern Victoria, would ensure that the future of Australia’s most important food production region was secured. “Improved irrigation infrastructure will give irrigators the confidence they need to make decisions for the future,” he said. “The benefits will also go well beyond the farm – a more efficient system will bring confidence to the whole region, attract new investment and contribute millions to the local economy.”

Construction works are expected to start as early as May 2008.

Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project Board Members

Mr Richard Guy (Chair) is Chairman of Bendigo-based Crystal Industries Group. He is an engineer by training and plays a prominent role in various community and charitable organisations. He chaired the Bendigo Bank through a period of rapid growth including the conversion to Bank status in 1995. He retired from the Bendigo Bank Board in August 2006.

Mr Barry Steggall is the former State Deputy Leader of the National Party and Member for Swan Hill (1983 – 2002). Mr Steggall specialised in water, environment and food industry issues during his Parliamentary career. He is a member of the Victorian Water Trust Advisory Council and Chairman of the Groundwater Reference Committee.

Mr Terry Francis has international and national experience in road and infrastructure engineering, project management and corporate banking. He is a Director of the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, Nylex, RMIT International and Boom Logistics. He is also Chairman of the Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority.

Mr Peter McCamish has been a Goulburn Valley horticulturist for 34 years. He is a Director of SD Reid Holdings, a Tasmanian cherry grower and exporter, and a former Director of SPC Ardmona Ltd. He is a member of the Shepparton Irrigation Implementation Committee, the Food Bowl Modernisation Project Steering Committee and a Director of Water for Rivers.

Mr Geoff Akers is a member of the Food Bowl Steering Modernisation Committee, Deputy Chair VFF Water Council and Board member of Dairy Australia. Mr Akers has a Bachelor of Applied Science, Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and is a dairy farmer at Tallygaroopna.

Ms Miranda Douglas-Crane has more than 30 years of private and public sector experience in the transport infrastructure, automotive financial and services industries. Ms Douglas-Crane is currently Executive General Manager Operations with the RACV.

OPEN LETTER (Jan Beer)

|Jan Beer| Points for Tim Holding the Minister for Water Mismanagement to ponder over Christmas:

1. Is it true that local water board members are submitted to a police check?

2. Do Melbourne Water personnel who enter private property require a police check?

3. Will contractors on the proposed pipeline require a police check, as they may be entering private property, where the owner is absent

4. Have Food Bowl Alliance members had police checks?

5. Has the Government conducted probity checks on Food Bowl members in light of the fact that the modernisation plan is a $1billion project

6. Is it Brumby government policy that a person may only serve on a maximum of three government funded bodies?

7. If this criteria is being breached, what action will be taken by you?

8. Are you aware of allegations that in the Toolamba area of the Goulburn Valley, Goulburn Murray Water have failed to deliver irrigation water to local farmers?

9. Are you aware that figures on Dethridge wheel efficiency research may have been falsified?

10. Are you aware that your predecessor, Thwaites, may have declared a moratorium on water harvesting in the Yea River Valley?

11. Are you aware that the ALP candidate for McEwen and former ALP Upper House member stated that no water would he taken from north of the divide to Melbourne?

12. Are you aware that the pipeline to Bendigo sprung a serious leak requiring numerous loads of concrete to control? Will this cost be recovered from the contractor?

13. What contingencies has your government planned for public safety should a breach in the Yea pipeline at 600 to 700 psi occur?

14. Has the Brumby government carried out a carbon audit on the operation of the proposed pipeline?

15. Are you aware that Melbourne Water are publicly saying that the installation of water tanks is useless, and is a direct contradiction to the Federal ALP Government policy?

16. Do you want to be a Minister that will be remembered for making a courageous decision in halting the pipeline, as opposed to an undemocratically based and seriously flawed government proposal?

17. Are you aware that those you label Quasi Terrorists are fighting for justice and open government, and are endeavouring to demonstrate to your Government that all the reasons offered for building the pipeline are flawed.

Your Friends(The Quasi-terrorists)

Plug The Pipe Spokeperson Jan Beer 0417 144 777

PIPELINE CONTRACTOR APPOINTED

John Holland Group will construct the Sugarloaf Pipeline, linking the Goulburn River to the Sugarloaf Reservoir, Water Minister Tim Holding announced today.

Mr Holding said John Holland was one of Australia’s largest and most diverse specialist contracting businesses – with a portfolio including tunnelling and underground mining to power and water projects – which brings a wealth of experience to the project team. “The Sugarloaf Pipeline is a key part of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project and integral in the $4.9 billion Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan,” Mr Holding said.

“John Holland will work with Melbourne Water and existing alliance partners GHD and SKM, in the finalisation of plans for the pipeline construction, expected to begin as early as April 2008. “The Sugarloaf Pipeline will be a key piece of infrastructure in the $1 billion modernisation project, which will see irrigators, the environment and Melbourne share in water savings of around 225 billion litres of water annually. “The water savings will result from upgrading infrastructure and channels in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. The pipeline will enable Melbourne to receive a shared benefit from the investment.”

Melbourne Water Managing Director Rob Skinner said the organisation was pleased to add John Holland to the team and looked forward to rolling out a final alignment and delivering the project in the new year. “John Holland will now assist the project team in finalising the pipeline route, completing the engineering and design efforts, and laying the new pipeline,” Mr Skinner said. “They will also be performing the reinstatement works along the pipeline alignment in close consultation with impacted landowners and Melbourne Water.“An announcement on final alignment was expected early in the new year, following an extensive program of survey works and community consultation throughout the pipeline corridor.”

Average water bills in Melbourne, currently at least 20 per cent lower than any other capital city, are expected to double over the next five years to pay for the pipeline and the desalination plant.

Earlier this week the Victorian Government announced its response to the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee report. Of the 52 recommendations from the Steering Committee, 50 have been adopted and a new body, the Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project, has been established to oversee the irrigation upgrades.

The Minister for Planning will decide before the end of the year if an Environment Effects Statement is required for the project.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS FOR PIPELINE ANNOUNCED

An Environment Effects Statement (EES) will not be required for the Sugarloaf Pipeline, Planning Minister Justin Madden said today.

Mr Madden said the decision was made using criteria from the Ministerial Guidelines for Assessment of Environmental Effects under the Environment Effects Act 1978. “Having reviewed all the information from Melbourne Water I have concluded that an Environment Effects Statement is not required for the Sugarloaf Pipeline,” Mr Madden said. “The flexible alignment of the pipeline means potential environmental effects can be avoided or mitigated as has been the case with the construction of other pipelines in Victoria including the Goldfields Superpipe and the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline which didn’t require an EES.”

The Sugarloaf Pipeline is a key piece of infrastructure in the $1 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project, which will see irrigators, the environment and Melbourne share in water savings of around 225 billion litres of water each year.

The 70km Pipeline will transfer Melbourne’s share of the water savings – capped at 75 billion litres of water each year - from the Goulburn River to the Sugarloaf Reservoir.

Mr Madden said a condition of the decision was that further environmental assessments of some elements of the project be conducted when the pipeline route is finalised by Melbourne Water early next year. “There are some environmental issues which warrant further investigation and further community consultation, which will be worked through as part of this environmental process,” he said. “These further studies will build on the existing work conducted by Melbourne Water on flora and fauna, cultural heritage, land stability, landscape values, waterway environments, land use and social amenity. “The report will also evaluate the potential impact on downstream environmental values for the Goulburn River.”

Mr Madden said Melbourne Water has been asked to provide these studies in a Project Impact Assessment report to an independent advisory committee which will be appointed next year. “The advisory committee will be required to report back to me on the final Project Impact Assessment report, and to provide advice and recommendations about any mitigation actions or offsets required for these environmental issues. The public will also be invited to comment on the Project Impact Assessment report,” Mr Madden said.

The Food Bowl Modernisation Project, the Sugarloaf Pipeline and the Desalination Plant are all part of the $4.9 billion Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan.

Video of Pipeline Protest at Parliament House

View it at YouTube here.

GOVERNMENT BARRELS AHEAD WITH PIPELINE CHARADE

|Paul Weller MLA| The Victorian Government quietly unveiled several proposed routes for the controversial north-south pipeline today in an effort to circumnavigate a public backlash from country Victoria, according to The Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller.

The move comes despite demands from the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett last week that a study be conducted to assess the project’s environmental impacts. Mr Weller said today’s announcement, which he described as “underhanded and calculated”, reiterated the arrogance of the Victorian Labor Government. “I don’t think it was coincidental that this report was released the same day the Coalition was locked away in meetings,” Mr Weller said from Ballarat. “Despite all their talk about minimising the environmental impacts of this pipeline, Mr Brumby and his henchmen have proved that they will stop at nothing to get this pipe through to Melbourne.

Mr Weller said although Mr Garrett had to approve the project before it could proceed, the State Government had openly flaunted its plans to push ahead without the necessary Environmental Effects Statement. “Legally, when the Federal Government’s Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts made the pipeline a ‘controlled action’ last week, a stop should have been placed on all construction work. “Landowners were naturally sceptical last night about the legitimacy of the intervention when drilling machinery was moved onto private land at Killingworth on the Goulburn River, where the proposed pumping station is to be located.”

Mr Weller said the Victorian Government had been instructed to assess the impact of the pipeline on the 90 threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna, before reporting back with a recommendation to Mr Garrett’s department.

So far any work to assess the environmental impacts of the pipeline had been carried out by the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project Alliance, which was anything but independent, he said. “If Mr Garrett’s calls for review are to have any credibility, an environmental assessment must be undertaken by an independent body, not government agencies.”

Brumby sticks his head in the sand on water

Interesting article in Thursday's Age discussing the possibility of piping water from Tasmania.

Read the article here.

Who gives a stuff about the Farmer?

|Mike Dalmau| There have been people requesting details on the song “Who gives a stuff about the farmer” by JR Williams.

Contact details:-

Website:-www.jrwilliams.com.au

Email; jr@mcmedia.com.au

Address 87 Hall Road, Torrumbarry, 3562

Office Ph: 03 5487 7300

The song is also available in Alexandra from Landmark Embling.

The cost is $10.00

When you look at JR’s website you will see that we have a very experienced Country Singer of renown supporting our Campaign with this great song which really captures the message.

I encourage everyone to ring their favorite radio stations; be they commercial radio or community radio to request that they play the song.

I am sure that JR would be happy to be interviewed to talk about the song.

We may have to talk to JR about trying to get a concert together with some of his friends to highlight our campaign.

"Who gives a stuff about the Farmer" - Video

Production of the video for "who gives a stuff about the farmer" by JR Williams has just been completed.

You can view it here.

Opinion Piece - Pipeline Delayed

|Mike Dalmau| "Pipeline Delayed”; the next step is for the headline “Pipeline Plugged”.

This is the first big chink in the propaganda from the State Government; we are having an effect.

If we can delay the proposed starting date another six months, it cannot be built in time for the next State Election.

The articles in the mainstream Melbourne Media lately are starting to have an effect.

Kenneth Davidson’s article in the Age titled; “Brumby’s Water Policy is from La La Land”, and now Andrew Bolt writing a extremely critical article in the Herald Sun; Melbourne people are waking up to the extremely wasteful folly of the arrogant Brumby Government’s Water Policies.

Paul Austin’s article in today’s Age gives further comment on how arrogant even Labor Members of Parliament see Brumby. Hopefully these people will now start to listen and challenge their arrogant leader on the propaganda of the pipeline of panic (the proposed North-South Pipeline).

Landowners along the proposed route are our frontline in stopping this ridiculous pipeline of panic. This delay gives us heart to continue the fight; we can stop / plug this pipe.

We must continue to stick together.

We must continue to support each other.

We must not allow any of the Melbourne Water alliance people or contractors onto your land.

Together our goal must be to stop any access to our properties before Christmas.

To those whose properties are not directly on the route; we most continue to support these landowners in any way we can.

We all have a personal responsibility this weekend; the Easter Holidays.

If you can please put back up protest signs up on your fences for the many visitors to our area this weekend to see. (Don’t let government agencies get away with stealing our signs).

Please engage our city cousins in friendly country conversations and try and explain

1. the Water Is Not There. Look at the state of Lake Eildon (16 % today).

2. The Murray Darling Basin is in crisis; it is the Foodbowl of Australia.

3. The N-S Pipeline is Environmental Vandalism

4. There are better sustainable solutions for Melbourne (tanks; recycling etc.).

Finally, please make our city cousins understand that:-

1. there has not been a open, accountable and transparent process;

2. our basic democratic rights have denied

3. our Australian way of a fair go has been trampled on

If this arrogant Brumby State Government is prepared to do this to us who is next?

Have a Happy & Safe Easter

Council passes motion regarding pipeline

|Mike Dalmau| The Murrindindi Shire Council unanimously passed the following motion at its Council Meeting on Tuesday 15th April, 2008:-

“Following the release of the Auditor-General’s Report into water projects, council resolves to request that the Premier of Victoria:

Implement an independent validation of projected savings relating to the FoodBowl Modernisation Project.
Suspend the North-South Pipeline Project, until satisfactory levels of savings have been validated by an independent validation process.
Initiate a parliamentary inquiry into the FoodBowl Modernisation and North-South Pipeline Project Process.”

I commend the Murrindindi Shire Council on its motion; I ask people to support the motion in whatever way you think appropriate.

Sugarloaf Pipeline Update

Melbourne Water provided an update to Council on 15 April. The preferred alignment is almost complete with maps being provided at the discussions. Council will be going on a tour of the proposal on Thursday 24 April where we will find out more information on what is proposed.

Melbourne Water is looking at purchasing a small parcel of land to construct the pump station south of Killingworth Reserve near the Goulburn River. The alignment will cross over Killingworth road with a side track being constructed whilst the trench is opened across the road. The alignment will go down Carey Road but as yet the final alignment has not been decided

In the Yea River area crossings are being discussed with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) who will assess the environmental issues. The GBCMA will assess all waterway crossings under their responsibilities for river health.

The Devlins Bridge alignment is still being considered as they are uncertain if there will be a trench or an above the ground pipe.

An 800-metre tunnel will be dug in the area of the Castella Quarry before going through the edge of the Toolangi State Forest.

Discussions are being undertaken with landowners with endeavors to keep the alignment on the front boundary of all properties and a final easement of 15 metres. There will be approximately 56 properties involved north of the divide and 84 south of the divide.

There were 104 submissions received on the Pipeline Impact Assessment. The Advisory Committee’s closing comments will be held on the 17 April. The report from the panel is expected about the middle of May and the Minister is expected to hand down his decision in June. No work has commenced on the pipeline, only investigation is being carried out.

Discussions will take place between council and the alliance to work out the details of who will provide counselling services, with Melbourne Water paying the associated costs.

There is consideration being given to a Proposed Regional Benefits Package under these headings -

• Construction related offsets

• Local procurement of goods and services

• Contribution to knowledge bank of local area – will include Indigenous package

• Grants program and Regional revegetation program

Opinion Piece - April

|Mike Dalmau| From the very first day I heard about this crazy proposal, I knew it didn’t stack up. One journalist has named it the Water Policy from La La Land and I can only agree with Kenneth Davidson of The Age.

From my involvement in many community groups over many years (Business & Tourism across the Goulburn Murray Waters, Legends Wine & High Country & Lake Eildon Regions; a Shire Councillor of 9 years; a member of the Upper Goulburn Implementation Committee of the GBCMA for around 10years; and chairperson of the GMW LEPULC) I was very much aware of the impacts this crazy proposal would have on our communities, our businesses, our environment and on Lake Eildon

My position has always been; do the proper studies on the needs of the now and the needs of the future of our communities, our environment, our businesses, then see what is left and we could then have a discussion about whether there is enough to go around for another major water user to take water from the Murray Darling Basin (i.e. Melbourne).

I know, if these studies were done, it would reveal that there was no excess of water; in fact the water is already over committed.

This was again reinforced recently in a powerful, very emotional story told by Lesley Fischer. It was so important for Lesley; she came all the way from Lake Albert at the mouth of the once mighty Murray River in South Australia to Yarra Glen in Victoria to tell her family’s story; her communities’ story; and the story of the environment in her special place of the world to the Panel Members of the Project Impact Assessment Hearings of the proposed North-South Pipeline.

Lesley’s story nearly brought me to tears; my eyes certainly welled up.

The effects on her family:- after a lifetime of work in building up a quality dairy herd to around 700 cows to be a leading producer of dairy products, the cows are all gone.

One son has left home to find work in the mines; another son is trying to find work, along with four other local people who used to be employed on the farm.

The effects on her communities:- the number of successful business that have had to close in the towns; the mental depression suffered by families; the number of children in the local schools is decreasing; these are only a sample of the social issues emerging.

The effects on the environment:- the Coorong is a RAMSAR listed wetlands; it is a site of International importance; from Lesley’s comments, I understand, 20% of the world’s migratory birds pass through this area. There is no food for them to continue their journey to their breeding places. The water is turning acidic.

Lesley wrote to me over the weekend:- “ Also the ANZAC Day service in Meningie, very poignant for those who were severely affected. Our district was split up into soldier settlers’ blocks for those men who fought for our country, and now this district is brought to its knees.

The service really brought out our emotions. Thanks for your offer of help and for the copy of the song. It is really apt for our time.” (Song title:- Who Gives a Stuff About the Farmer by JR Williams).

I had the privilege to speak to Lesley on our Community Radio Station and received very emotional feedback from listeners. Her message that day could be summed up in her comment that what was happening was a cancer; it has started at the mouth, it is dying, and there are signs throughout the body as the glands (wetlands) become sick that the cancer is travelling throughout the system.

Lesley’s comments were very poignant for myself, as a person who has lost someone very special to cancer. First there is chemotherapy (flush the system with chemicals) and if that doesn’t work then there is a Bone Marrow Transplant. If anyone has been through this journey with a close friend you would understand the implications.

The message is you wouldn’t want the Murray Darling Basin and its tributaries (arteries and veins) including the Goulburn River to have something so drastic as a equivalent BMT.

The signs are there; are we going to let it become so bad that extreme last choice actions are going to be required to attempt to save its life; are we going to wake up in time????

This week “The Murray Darling Crisis” will feature on “Catalyst” (ABC1 TV Thursday, May1 @ 8.00pm). It will talk to scientists from the CSIRO Sustainable Yield Project.

Isn’t it strange that the P.I.A. Hearings were rushed before this important CSIRO work was released?

This report will be sent to Minister Garrett, Minister Wong and to Premier Brumby, Minister Madden; Minister Holding and Minister Jennings before the 16th May; so when a announcement is made on the P.I.A. Panel Report they cannot claim that they did not have this knowledge to take into account when they make their announcement on the P.I.A. Panel Report.

Next Lesley’s area will feature on “Landline” next Sunday @ Noon on the ABC1 TV.

Also, 60 Minutes (Channel 9 / WIN TV) visited Lesley’s area for three days; please keep a look out for when this segment will be screened; it could be this Sunday night @ 7.30pm.

What makes me angry are statements like these made by the Senior Counsel for the Melbourne Water Alliance when she presented the Alliance reply to the Panel Members of the P.I.A.:-

Page 3, Item 9 quote; “The focus for the Committee is, and properly should be, those tasks set out by the Terms of Reference (notwithstanding the Committee’s patience with submitters who persist in raising matters outside the Terms of Reference).” End quote.

This condescending statement exemplifies the culture and attitude of the Melbourne Water Alliance and that of their political masters, the arrogant Brumby Government.

Taking a further 75 Gigalitres (75 thousand Megalitres or 75 thousand Olympic sized Swimming Pools full of water) out of the Murray Darling Basin is criminal, especially when you understand Lesley’s message.

At this stage, how can you believe their promises or double talk that it will stay at 75 Gigalitres; there are extremely strong doubts that the proposed spending of $1.05 Billion (without any cost blowouts) can be substantiated with a business case based on this amount of water. What is their creditability after the Auditor General’s report?

Quoting Lesley once more:-

“This is fast becoming a National Environmental Disaster. These photos have been sent out to whoever I can think of. The Lower Lakes are at the end of the River Murray. When these Lakes dry up, the cancer will spread further up the Murray River. Will it become another Colarado River where the flow will end kms upstream?”

I ask you to watch these presentations and then make your own minds as to who you believe:- people like Lesley or the you beaut expensive looking propaganda advertisements our arrogant Brumby Government is using our taxpayer dollars on.

The whole campaign against this crazy proposal from La La Land of the North-South pipeline (the pipeline of panic) has come about because not so ordinary real people in our communities have had the wherewithal to stand up and say this is not on.

People like Lesley and recently Wade who organized the Ute Convoy; in their character much of the soldier settlers values that Lesley referred to live on.

Please continue to standup for your rights and the rights of your children and our special environment. It is up to each and everyone of us in our own way.

I challenge the Leaders of all Parliamentary Parties in Victoria to travel to Lesley’s place and listen to and to see her story.

I also challenge every Labor Party back bench Member of Parliament to take this information on board and to examine their conscience before their next Party meeting.

P.S.1. Lesley has made me aware of a petition: Please go to www.rivermurray.com and follow the prompts. It will provide you with more information. It is a little thing we can all do.

P.S.2. If you would like a copy of Lesley’s photos, please ask.

P.S.3. I would also urge you to read Kenneth Davidson’s (The Age, April 28, 2008) article titled:-“Drips to the fore in water planning.” I can forward a copy if you wish; please ask.

6th May

Letter to the Editor

Dear Sir,

After serious and disturbing presentations in the media over recent days on the crisis in the Murray Darling Basin, you have to ask what creditability does the arrogant Premier Brumby and his local Member, Ben Hardman now have?

Firstly, the Auditor General’s damning report on the Victorian Water Plan: result Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

Then “Catalyst” reports on the CSIRO Scientists project on the Sustainable Yields of the Murray Darling Basin: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

Next we watch “Landline” which reports on the impact of providing food from the Foodbowl: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

Next “60 Minutes” shows the mouth of Murray Darling Basin is in crisis both environmentally and socially; the cancer is spreading: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

There is still more with the GMW commissioned Findlay report highlighting major issues with Central Goulburn Irrigation upgrades, a project which strongly influenced the Foodbowl Rationalization (Modernization) Plan. This has reinforced the Auditor General’s comments about the lack of rigor in the FMP: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

A report in a major Australian daily newspaper commented on a internal report suggesting that the North-South Pipeline be plugged: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

A lot of my work involves Asset Based Community Development; one of the principles is that if you use a proper process respecting people the wealth of knowledge from the community will always outway the advice of the so called experts. Evidence of this has to be the presentations to the PIA Panel: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

Finally, we see reports of rioting in other countries as world food supplies stocks diminish to record lows. How are we going to feed ourselves and assist the rest of the world if we turn the Foodbowl into a Dustbowl: result

Brumby/Holding/Hardman no creditability; Plug the Pipe vindicated.

The closer you look at the scenario developing Premier Brumby is looking like Gordon Brown in England. He also took over from a charismatic leader (Blair / Bracks) and has led his Party to its worst result in 40 years.

The Murray Darling Basin is in crisis Environmentally; Socially and Economically; we need proper leadership now; we need real action now; stop exacerbating the crisis; plug the pipe and put all our efforts into saving the once mighty Murray River, which still includes the Goulburn River.

Yours truly,

Mike Dalmau
124 Acheron Road
Acheron, 3714

Illegal Blasting in the Toolangi State Forest Stopped by Yea Resident

Illegal blasting in the picturesque Toolangi State Forest was today stopped by a lone protestor Mr Jeff Spencer of Yea. The blasting was part of geological survey work for the controversial North South Pipeline which will pump water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne.

The blasting was being conducted by Melbourne Water contractors even though the pipeline project is still going through an environmental approval process.

“Melbourne Water attempted to conceal the fact that there was blasting going on by telling locals there would be traffic stoppages in the area for road works,” said Mr Spencer. “However, some local residents who stopped and inquired were told that traffic was actually being stopped in case rocks rolled down the mountain onto the road while seismic blasting was being performed.”

“I suspected that they did not have permission under Federal environment law for the blasting so I went up and asked. The workers did not have any paperwork so I remained in the area and this effectively halted the blasting”

“We have found previously that they do work for the pipeline construction and then when we pull them up they contact Peter Garrett’s department and get retrospective permission,” said Mr Spencer. “It’s all pretty suspect, if I asked a council for permission to build a house I wouldn’t be allowed to start construction before I had a building permit.”

“This project was supposed to stop while environmental studies were conducted but they are drilling and now seismic blasting as if Peter Garrett is just going to rubber stamp the project to help Brumby out. It looks like we will have to be the environmental police on this project.”

Melbourne Water Accused of Providing False and Misleading Iinformation to Minister Peter Garrett

A group opposed to Premier John Brumby’s plans to pipe water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne has found another major flaw in Melbourne Water’s environmental assessment of the pipeline. They have followed up with an official complaint to the Commonwealth’s Environment Department together with a request for an investigation.

Plug The Pipe has accused Melbourne Water of willingly providing false information to Minister Peter Garrett by misinforming a State Government inquiry which will make recommendations to State and Commonwealth ministers on whether the project can go ahead.

Providing false or misleading information in order to gain approval for a project is a serious offence under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Melbourne Water has measured the water flow in the Goulburn River 20km downstream of the point where it proposes to take water from the River. This inflates the water available to be piped to Melbourne by measuring available water at a point below where other streams add to the river flow.

Melbourne Water has provided information from Trawool below where the Yea River and King Parrot Creek discharge into the Goulburn River. The point at which water will be sucked from the Goulburn is many kilometres upstream at Killingworth near Yea.

“The figures provided by Melbourne Water to The Federal Minister’s Advisory Committee, stated that the extraction rate from the Goulburn River would be 3% to 6% of the stream flow,” said Plug The Pipe spokesperson Jan Beer. “This would only drop the river level 5cm, so therefore would not be detrimental to the river’s environment and ecology. This is totally false and misleading. We have the stream flow statistics to show that, in reality, the extraction rate would be 10% to 15% and during some irrigation months would be as high as 100%.”

“As time goes by we are finding more and more misinformation in Melbourne Waters documents,” said Mrs Beer. “We have previously registered a similar complaint about Melbourne Water omitting data on the projects impact on the stressed Murray system.”

“Their Project Impact Assessment Report is a document comprising more than 1700 pages full of misinformation and omissions. We complained to Planning Minister Madden that the report was too large to assess and comment on in the four weeks we were given. He ignored our complaint.”

“After a rushed inquiry we are finding more flaws every day and we will keep informing the Federal Minister. We cannot see how Garrett can approve this project based on the omissions and misinformation contained in Melbourne Water’s Project Impact Assessment Report.”

Contact: Jan Beer 0407 144 777

http://www.plugthepipe.com

Letter to the Editor -Wade Northausen

|Wade Northausen| I am writing re; John Brumby’s North South Pipeline. The Victorian Governments policy on the Pipeline which is locally known as ‘The Brumby Disaster’ is one of point blank stupidity, arrogance and lies.

One could be forgiven for thinking they ratted through a rubbish bin somewhere and found some half baked idiot script for a horror movie and just retitled it ‘The Victorian Government Policy on Water’. The so called Foodbowl Modernisation upgrades according to many analysts have absolutely no hope whatsoever of delivering the unbelievable water savings, no wait a minute, I think the term that’s used is create new water, this is truly miraculous. Now ladies and gentlemen, for their next trick, the Government will part the Red Sea.

The fact is that the Foodbowl Modernisation hoax has more trickery and smoke and mirrors than a two bit side show magician. It is truly a trogan horse on steroids. And does anybody really believe that if the pipe went in that Brumby would only take 75 Gigalitres to Melbourne and not take more, and that farmers would get their equal 75 Gigalitres well according to John Corboy of the Foodbowl alliance we just have to trust the Politicians.

John, would they be the same ones who before the last election said they would not be taking water from the North to Melbourne?

The Government wants people in Melbourne to believe that country people think that this Foodbowl and Pipeline madness is terrific and we all welcome it with open arms. But now they’re slowly losing that battle as people in Melbourne learn the truth.

Last month I led a convoy of utes to Yarra Glen to protest against the Brumby Disaster while Plug The Pipe was making submissions to the Environmental Impact Committee. I was surprised at the number of Melbourne people who were having a day out and went out of their way to come over and say the truth about this North South Pipeline was just starting to filter through and that they understand Plug The Pipe opposition to it and keep up the good work. I was even more surprised to hear from traditional Labor supporters in trade union workers throughout regional Victoria, who told me their thoughts on Brumby and his etc, etc, etc stinking pipe and the substantial union job losses across the region if Brumby sends farmers broke.

We’re already battling a drought caused by nature, we don’t need another one caused by Brumby.

Evidence now supports that there is serious infighting in the Labor Party that the pressure is mounting and that in particular regional Labor politicians are being snubbed and treated as optional extras.

They might feel the same as many farmers, townspeople, rural, regional and union workers do...expendable.

People will have the opportunity on the 3rd June to join with Plug The Pipe and deliver the message personally to Parliament House and John Brumby, that we absolutely reject the Brumby disaster.

Plug the pipe and stop the Brumby disaster!

5th June

Eril Rathjen's Muster Day Speech

We have come back to see you John.

Here we are; angry frustrated country Victorians who are refusing to be sacrificed for bad policy. We had to come back to remind you John that you have got it wrong. Drastically wrong for all Victorians

This premier is connecting 90% of the States’ population to one failing dam. He is spending billions of dollars on pipelines to link major urban populations to Lake Eildon and the Goulburn river system. In the governments own doctrine they tell us they won’t build dams because they are unreliable and climate dependent, yet now we will have the populations of Bendigo, Ballarat, Melbourne and Geelong relying on one such climate dependent dam which is presently only 13% full. This is not a solution John , contrary to what you claim this is not drought –proofing Victoria.

How dare you impose a pipeline that will drain away our dwindling resources at a time when Northern Victorian communities are in the grips of a prolonged and devastating drought. Farms are failing, small towns are suffering and rural dependent businesses and manufacturers are hurting as productivity shrinks. By robbing farmers of their water security you tear out the heart of people’s livelihoods and destroy confidence in the future of their businesses. Unfortunately we cannot compete with cashed up urban water authorities. Sadly Premier you are dividing Victorians with this proposed pipeline and creating a culture of hate in the bush. At a time when farmers are dealing with the hardship of massive debt and negative incomes this Government chooses to treat us with vicious contempt.

Minister Holding has proven himself to have boundless powers of creativity. The tangled trail of spin and lies that has accompanied this project is an outrage. Mr Holding your justifications to divert water to Melbourne are weak and unsubstantiated. You continue to deny the facts and ignore the science. Irrigation losses figures are being manipulated to suit your mantra, you fail to factor in climate change and CSIRO predictions because you know the results won’t suit your narrative. Even the Auditor- General has slammed this whole project for its lack of consultation, inadequate rigour and its complete inability to substantiate any figures. Shame on you Tim.

As for the ‘new’ water that will be created –Tell us ,will you be pumping your “new” water to Melbourne while irrigators suffer a 10 or 20 or 30% allocation of their water entitlement –of course you will. And we will still have to pay for 100% of our water bills. We still have to pay for the water you are stealing.
.
The North-South pipeline will not serve Melburnians well. The people of Melbourne will be paying for this project for generations as urban water bills sky rocket. Melburnians deserve better solutions. They will not thank you for connecting them to a stressed, drying dam north of the Great Dividing Range. Melbourne has other options and unfortunately we can’t share water that isn’t there.

At a time of global food shortage this Premier is threatening the State’s ability to feed itself. The Food bowl of the state cannot survive competition with the Premiers pipeline grid; a grid that leads one way and one way only- out of the Goulburn Murray Irrigation district. It is critical that our dairy, fruit, meat and horticulture producers are supported through this drought for the good of all Victorians. Don’t destroy them by piping water to Melbourne and Geelong.

This Gov is clearly not concerned with the distressed state of the MDB. Why else would they do a deal with the Rudd Government that excludes the Goulburn river from the Governance of the MDB Commission? This Government is not concerned with river health. They are prepared to plunder the Goulburn River and draw off 300 million litres a day to feed their ill conceived pipeline. And the Goulburn is a major tributary of the Murray; the Murray that we know is dying from the mouth up. We have people here today all the way from Mildura. They know that the water this pipeline takes out reduces the flows at their end and exacerbates the social, economic and environmental disasters occurring at the end of the line.

The construction of the North-south pipeline will be an act of environmental vandalism. Vast tracts of pristine forests will be decimated in the Kinglake National Park and the Toolangi State forest not to mention the devastation caused by the187 waterways crossings. The recent PIA undertaken by the pipeline alliance, instead of a full EES, is a weak, superficial document that contains huge knowledge gaps and insufficient management plans for significantly threatened species. The pipeline design is being pulled together on the run. This government is sacrificing due process and is failing to protect our priceless environmental heritage.

And what about your greenhouse gas emissions Mr Brumby? Victorians are concerned with their carbon footprint yet you are happy to churn out millions of black balloons with your energy intensive water policies. You are building a pipeline that must lift 75 billion litres of water over a mountain range. The pipeline pumps will send 150,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year in perpetuity. –the equivalent to another 38,000 cars on the road. That is a hidden environmental cost Victorians will be paying for for generations.

As time progresses, Premier, the whole of the State is waking up to the realization that this pipeline to Melbourne creates no winners. The tide is turning Mr Brumby. You might think you can buy votes by dropping a giant hose into suburbia, but Victorians want responsible water policy. They do not want a pipeline that divides the state and sacrifices country Victoria.

We are here today to let you know we will not give up and we are not going away. I hope you are listening John. I hope you are listening Tim.

Back off Brumby or you will have a real battle on your hands

The north-South pipeline is never going to happen.

We are here today to tell you- you will not get this pipeline in the ground

More info at plugthepipe.

17th July

Brumby’s Minister “ Plugs” Leak
(Or speak freely unless you work for me)

Recent comments from retiring Yarra Valley Water chairman Alan Cornell about the need for a new Melbourne Dam has met with a predictable response from the states Environment Minister Gavin Jennings. Jennings vehemently defended the Governments No Dam Policy.

Alan Cornell said: He believed the ban on new dams was ridiculous and should be "revisited".

"If a precious resource is going straight into the sea, pure water out of the sky, why wouldn't you attempt to capture it?"

What is surprising here is such a senior and high ranking authority on water had to wait until retirement before making such a strong statement. His action clearly illustrates the un-healthy nature of the Brumby government ethos, strangling debate and controlling the flow of information from our water leaders in the time of crisis.

Disregarding whether new dams are a good or bad thing, restriction or the politicisation of the water debate can’t be good for the state. Mr Cornell should be congratulated for his comments in the public interest.

Jan Beer from Plug the Pipe commented, “Mr Cornell statement infers that the government’s water plan is flawed and inadequate. The NS pipeline for example cannot deliver water to Melbourne in the volumes required unless it becomes very wet, why else would one of the pipe owners be suggesting new dams for Melbourne.”

Last year Melbourne Water chief executive officer, Rob Skinner, said at the introduction of the governments $5 billion water plan, that these projects will only provide the 240 gigalitres of water needed until 2011, but not enough beyond that.

Jan concluded “given the CSIRO’s climate reports predicting that our side of the divide will become a lot drier relative to the Melbourne side the Brumby government should abandon the pipe and seek more sustainable sources of water for Melbourne. Gavin Jennings may not give a stuff about the environment outside of Melbourne, but Melbourne people deserve a lot better.”

7th August

PIPELINE CORRIDOR FOR SUGARLOAF PROJECT ANNOUNCED

Planning Minister, Justin Madden today announced his endorsement of the preferred corridor for the $750 million Sugarloaf Pipeline, which will connect the Goulburn River north of Yea to the Sugarloaf Reservoir.

Mr Madden said approval of the pipeline corridor will allow the 70km Sugarloaf Pipeline to transfer Melbourne’s share of water savings from the Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

Mr Madden’s decision was informed by the advice of an independent Advisory Committee who considered a number of expert reports and over 100 submissions to the project.

“The corridor I have announced today is generally in line with the preferred alignment put forward by Melbourne Water and recommended by the independent Advisory Committee,” Mr Madden said.

“The Advisory Committee report concluded the preferred route would be consistent with State policies on environmental protection.”

“I have broadly agreed to the Advisory Committee recommendations and have put in place a number of conditions to ensure the project is realised with minimal environmental impacts,” Mr Madden said.

“This significant project crosses three municipalities, and requires an effective framework for regulating its implementation. The strong conditions attached to the approval will ensure accountability and the protection of the environment along the pipeline route,” he said.

The conditions set out by Mr Madden include:

· Submission of an overarching Environmental Management Framework and individual Environmental Management Plans for the various route sections approved by the Planning Minister in consultation with the Environment and Climate Change Minister;

· Payment of a bond for the re-instatement of environments affected by the construction works, to be determined by the Environment and Climate Change Minister; and

· The appointment of an external EPA accredited environmental auditor to facilitate procedures around environmental monitoring, auditing and reporting.

r Madden said today’s decision will allow Melbourne Water to complete important planning work to prepare for construction.

"The Commonwealth Government must also make a decision on those matters of national environmental significance potentially impacted by the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999 before construction can begin," he said

Mr Madden said the Sugarloaf Pipeline project is an integral part of the Brumby Government’s plan to secure water supplies for the State.

The $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project will recover 425 billion litres of water currently lost through evaporation, seepage and system inefficiencies.

These savings will be shared between irrigators, rivers and Melbourne. Melbourne will receive 75 billion litres, through the Sugarloaf Pipeline with the 350 billion litres of water staying in northern Victoria.

11th August

GARRETT PUTS PIPELINE APPROVAL ON HOLD

Commonwealth environmental approval of the Victorian Government’s controversial North-South Pipeline will be held up for at least another two weeks. Environment Minister Peter Garrett has put the environmental approval process on hold while he considers new information about the impacts of climate change on the Murray Darling Basin.
Anti Pipeline group Plug The Pipe has used a provision in federal environmental law to request the Minister consider new evidence available which shows climate change will have a drastic negative effect on water runoff into the Murray Darling Basin.

The move may lead to the Victorian and Federal governments having to complete environmental studies on the Murray River and wetlands as far away as the Coorong in South Australia. This could delay the project for months.

Plug The Pipe spokesperson Jeff Spencer said “We know the public will find it hard to believe but both governments have been actively trying to avoid considering the impact the pipeline would have on the Murray River.”

“The law requires that Peter Garrett consider the secondary environmental effects of any project before approving it. However, so far Brumby and Garrett have not commissioned even a few minutes of study of the effects on the Murray of withdrawing 75 billion litres of water from the river system.”

“It seems like a bad movie plot but it’s a documentary not fiction,” said Mr Spencer. “The headlines have been screaming that the Murray Darling system is dying, the scientists have told us that we have moved into a dryer climate.”

“Still the Rudd and Brumby governments have been quietly ignoring the potential for this project to make a dire situation worse even while pretending to implement a rescue plan for the Murray-Darling Basin.”

“At last we have brought them to account. They are having to obey their own laws,” concluded Mr Spencer.

Contact: Jeff Spencer 0418 328 108

Bob Richardson 03 5796 2656 0402 658 012