Govt backs cleaner, greener, biofuels industry

A new $5 million fund to support Victoria’s developing biofuels industry will help provide cleaner, greener fuel alternatives and create new regional job and investment opportunities, Regional and Rural Development Minister John Brumby said today.

Mr Brumby announced the new Biofuels Infrastructure Grants (BIG) - to be funded through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund - at the Ethanol 2007 conference in Melbourne.

“This new initiative will assist in the development of new biofuels projects and help to ensure Victoria is able to meet its five per cent biofuels target by 2010,” Mr Brumby said.

“Biofuels have the potential to become a viable alternative fuel supply for petrol and diesel, providing environmental benefits in the form of improved urban air quality and reduced greenhouse emissions.

“A viable biofuels industry also has enormous potential to create new jobs and investment, particularly in regional and rural Victoria.”

Biofuels projects in Victoria include:

· The creation of a 60ML biodiesel plant at Barnawatha that will create 24 direct jobs and 48 indirect jobs;
· A 100ML plant at Swan Hill creating 40 direct and 80 indirect jobs; and
· A 150ML plant at Geelong that will create 20 direct and 40 indirect jobs.

Mr Brumby also launched Driving Growth: A Road Map and Action Plan for the Development of the Victorian Biofuels Industry which sets out a series of actions to drive development of the industry in Victoria.

Key actions for the Government and industry to undertake include:

· Securing domestic production of biofuel feedstocks by working with farmers to ensure the right varieties of feedstock are being grown and developed to supply the industry;
· Increasing distribution of biofuels products with major oil company networks by establishing the proper practices for the storage, handling and transport of biofuels;
· Ensuring biofuel production in Victoria is internationally competitive by working with the industry to develop competitive manufacturing facilities in Victoria;
· Ensuring investors have confidence in returns through good communication and proper collaboration with the investment community and the biofuels industry; and
· Raising consumer demand for biofuel products by educating the community and raising awareness to increase understanding and to dispel misconceptions of biofuel products.

Australia's epic drought: The situation is grim

Australia has warned that it will have to switch off the water supply to the continent's food bowl unless heavy rains break an epic drought - heralding what could be the first climate change-driven disaster to strike a developed nation.

The Murray-Darling basin in south-eastern Australia yields 40 per cent of the country's agricultural produce. But the two rivers that feed the region are so pitifully low that there will soon be only enough water for drinking supplies. Australia is in the grip of its worst drought on record, the victim of changing weather patterns attributed to global warming and a government that is only just starting to wake up to the severity of the position.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, a hardened climate-change sceptic, delivered dire tidings to the nation's farmers yesterday. Unless there is significant rainfall in the next six to eight weeks, irrigation will be banned in the principal agricultural area. Crops such as rice, cotton and wine grapes will fail, citrus, olive and almond trees will die, along with livestock.

A ban on irrigation, which would remain in place until May next year, spells possible ruin for thousands of farmers, already debt-laden and in despair after six straight years of drought.

Lovers of the Australian landscape often cite the poet Dorothea Mackellar who in 1904 penned the classic lines: "I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains." But the land that was Mackellar's muse is now cracked and parched, and its mighty rivers have shrivelled to sluggish brown streams. With paddocks reduced to dust bowls, graziers have been forced to sell off sheep and cows at rock-bottom prices or buy in feed at great expense. Some have already given up, abandoning pastoral properties that have been in their families for generations. The rural suicide rate has soared.

Mr Howard acknowledged that the measures are drastic. He said the prolonged dry spell was "unprecedentedly dangerous" for farmers, and for the economy as a whole. Releasing a new report on the state of the Murray and Darling, Mr Howard said: "It is a grim situation, and there is no point in pretending to Australia otherwise. We must all hope and pray there is rain."

But prayer may not suffice, and many people are asking why crippling water shortages in the world's driest inhabited continent are only now being addressed with any sense of urgency.

The causes of the current drought, which began in 2002 but has been felt most acutely over the past six months, are complex. But few scientists dispute the part played by climate change, which is making Australia hotter and drier.

Environmentalists point to the increasing frequency and severity of drought-causing El Niño weather patterns, blamed on global warming. They also note Australia's role in poisoning the Earth's atmosphere. Australians are among the world's biggest per-capita energy consumers, and among the top producers of carbon dioxide emissions. Despite that, the country is one of only two industrialised nations - the United States being the other - that have refused to ratify the 1997 Kyoto protocol. The governments argue that to do so would harm their economies.

Until a few months ago, Mr Howard and his ministers pooh-poohed the climate-change doomsayers. The Prime Minister refused to meet Al Gore when he visited Australia to promote his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. He was lukewarm about the landmark report by the British economist Sir Nicholas Stern, which warned that large swaths of Australia's farming land would become unproductive if global temperatures rose by an average of four degrees.

Faced with criticism from even conservative sections of the media, Mr Howard realised that he had misread the public mood - grave faux pas in an election year. Last month's report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted more frequent and intense bushfires, tropical cyclones, and catastrophic damage to the Great Barrier Reef. The report also said there would be up to 20 per cent more droughts by 2030. And it said the annual flow in the Murray-Darling basin was likely to fall by 10-25 per cent by 2050. The basin, the size of France and Spain combined, provides 85 per cent of the water used nationally for irrigation.

While the government is determined to protect Australia's coal industry, the drought is expected to shave 1 per cent off annual growth this year. The farming sector of a country that once "rode the sheep's back" to prosperity is in desperate straits. With dams and reservoirs drying up, many cities and towns have been forced to introduce severe water restrictions.

Mr Howard has softened his rhetoric of late, and says that he now broadly accepts the science behind climate change. He has tried to regain the political initiative, announcing measures including a plan to take over regulatory control of the Murray-Darling river system from state governments.

He has declared nuclear power the way forward, and is even considering the merits of joining an international scheme to "trade" carbon dioxide emissions - an idea he opposed in the past.

Mr Howard's conservative coalition will face an opposition Labour Party revitalised by a popular new leader, Kevin Rudd, and offering a climate change policy that appears to be more credible than his. Ben Fargher, the head of the National Farmers' Federation, said that if fruit and olive trees died, that could mean "five to six years of lost production". Food producers also warned of major food price rises.

Mr Howard acknowledged that an irrigation ban would have a "potentially devastating" impact. But "this is very much in the lap of the gods", he said.

How UN warned Australia and New Zealand

Excerpts from UN's IPCC report on the threat of global warming to Australia and New Zealand:

"As a result of reduced precipitation and increased evaporation, water security problems are projected to intensify by 2030 in south and east Australia and, in New Zealand, in Northland and eastern regions."

* "Significant loss of biodiversity is projected to occur by 2020 in some ecologically rich sites, including the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland's tropics. Other sites at risk include the Kakadu wetlands ... and the alpine areas of both countries."

* "Ongoing coastal development and population growth in areas such as Cairns and south-east Queensland (Australia) and Northland to Bay of Plenty (New Zealand) are projected to exacerbate risks from sea-level rise and increases in the severity and frequency of storms and coastal flooding by 2050."

* "Production from agriculture and forestry by 2030 is projected to decline over much of southern and eastern Australia, and over parts of eastern New Zealand, due to increases in droughts and fires."

* "The region has substantial adaptive capacity due to well-developed economies and scientific and technical capabilities, but there are considerable constraints to implementation ... Natural systems have limited adaptive capacity."

Written by By Kathy Marks in Sydney
Published: 20 April 2007 ...here
(archived: 20 April 2007)

Opposition shares PM's Murray-Darling concern

The Federal Opposition's water spokesman, Anthony Albanese, says he shares the Prime Minister's concern over water supplies in the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Federal Government says very heavy rains will be needed soon if there is to be any irrigation from the Murray-Darling Basin, and is under fire for not acting sooner over the extreme water shortage.

The Prime Minister has released details of a report saying that it is likely that water will only be available for towns and none could be taken for irrigation or environmental purposes.

Mr Albanese says the report shows the need for a national plan on climate change.

"Unless you have a plan to tackle climate change, you won't address the water crisis," he said.

"Unless you have a plan to address water across the Murray-Darling Basin over the long-term, you won't address the water crisis."

Water Minister Malcolm Turnbull says it is a long standing problem.

"It is important to remember that even though we have had average rainfalls in the first few months of this calendar year, because the ground is so dry and because the ground water systems have been so depleted, we have not seen the run-off into the streams," he said.

"That's why the Prime Minister is saying we really need very heavy rains.

"We need big rains to make a difference."

The Greens say its a sign the Murray is dying and farming practices along the river will never be the same again.

The Democrats say the alarm bells should have been ringing years ago.


The South Australian Government says it will wait for rain for six weeks before stripping River-Murray irrigators of water allocations.

Adelaide's level three water restrictions may also increase to level four or level five.

A proposed weir at Wellington, south of Adelaide, is still an option for securing the city's water supply.

South Australian Water Security Minister Karlene Maywald says the Government has been forced to take unprecedented action.

"A decision on what the final allegations for irrigators will be won't be made until the 15th of June," she said.

"We will be monitoring the situation extremely closely and as time progresses we'll be able to update and provide more information for the community."

The Murray-Darling Association, which represents councils along the river basin, says Adelaide is not doing enough to reduce the amount of water it uses.

The association's chief executive, Ray Najar, says Adelaide's water restrictions are not tough enough.

"Adelaide's been soft-pedalling on its water supplies over the last two or three years," he said.

"We've got out of jail a few times because of our local rains and catchment, but of course last year was a failure and this year doesn't look much better."

The South Australian Opposition Leader, Martin Hamilton-Smith, says the next state budget needs to make allowances for River-Murray irrigators.

"The Premier is nowhere to be seen and the Minister for Water Security has no answers," he said.

"They'd better get their heads together quickly because there would be families in the Riverland wondering about how they're going to pay the bills, how they're going to meet their commitments and how their families and their small businesses are going to survive."

Meanwhile, the head of the Central Irrigators Trust says there is some doubt whether zero water allocations will mean River-Murray irrigators will have to stop watering their crops altogether.

The executive officer of the trust, Jeff Parish, says he expects allocations will increase later in the financial year once the season turns.

But he says it is not clear whether irrigators will be able to continue applying some water before then.

"South Australia's never had a start that has a duck for a figure and I think the jury is out as to whether that means you can't water or what I think it means," he said.

"You're taking a reasonable chance that you will apply some water in the expectation that allocations will be announced as the season progresses."


Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks says irrigators were told in February they may not get any water allocations.

But he says there is some hope that irrigators will get water allocations closer to spring.

"It's not dissimilar to what happened last year," he said.

"Last year on the Murray-Goulburn system our irrigators had, at the start of the season, 20 per cent allocation.

"By the end of it they had 95 per cent as it moves through July into the spring period."

John Cherry from the Queensland Farmers Federation says stopping irrigation altogether will not come as much of a shock.

"This news is not new news for most irrigators in Queensland because there has been no irrigation water available for most of our irrigation schemes in the Murray-Darling Basin," he said.

The New South Wales Irrigators Council says the lack of water in the Murray-Darling Basin this year will be devastating for thousands of producers.

The council's chief executive, Doug Miell, says fruit and vegetable prices will go up as many key crops will not survive without water.

"It will flow way beyond the impact of the local region, it will be national most definitely and it will be very quick as well," Mr Miell said.

"We've already seen in a lot of our supermarkets prices reflecting the water shortages and the quality issues as well, and that's going to flow right on again as a result of this water cutback."

Alan Brown from the New South Wales Farmers Association says he is glad the Federal Government is now considering further support for drought-affected farmers.

"I welcome the fact that they have realised just the scale of this disaster," Mr Brown said.

"We've been saying for some time that it needs to be revisited.

"They need to be aware that this is a disaster and that extra means are now to be put in place to help those people through." ... original publication here

Murray-Darling farmers face water shut-off

Prime Minister John Howard says irrigation water for farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin will be cut off if there is no significant rain in the next six to eight weeks.

Mr Howard says the basin is suffering from an "unprecedentedly dangerous" water shortage but water will continue to be available for "critical urban" water supplies.

The Prime Minister was speaking after receiving a report from experts which was sent to him and to state premiers.

The expert committee was set up after the emergency water meeting Mr Howard held with the premiers on Melbourne Cup Day last year.

"I just want to say that this underlines the critical situation that we face if there is not significant rainfall over the next few weeks," he said.

"It's a grim situation and there's no point in pretending to the Australian public otherwise.

"The report is confident there'll be adequate water for basic human consumption and other needs," Mr Howard continued.

Mr Howard says it could be devastating for crops like grapes and stone fruit as well as the dairy industry.

He says all farmers in the basin are eligible for drought assistance and he is urgently looking at what extra help the Government can offer.

Victoria's Water Minister John Thwaites says the Prime Minister is not being alarmist and describes the situation as critical.

"It is horrendous. We're facing the worst stream flows we've ever faced," he said.

"Just to put it into perspective, over the past year when you expect the dams to be filled we've had only half the amount of stream flow that we got in the worst drought of 1982-83."


The National Farmers Federation says the outlook for irrigators is catastrophic, with chief executive Ben Fargher warning of a massive financial impact on farmers.

"For high security users and those irrigators with tree crops, crops like almonds, citrus, olives, to name a few, if those crops actually die because there's no water then that has a significant impact for many, many years to come because it takes so much time to establish new crops and so much money to do so," he said.

New South Wales Irrigators Council chief executive Doug Miell says permanent plantings of citrus trees, wine grapes, olives and almonds will not survive next summer without water.

Mr Miell says the lack of irrigation will be devastating for thousands of producers.

"The quality of their produce, if there is any will be a lot lower than it ever has been and I would suspect most of them would be struggling for income and struggling to survive," he said.

"You might as well say [it will be] almost a total loss of income for them, not just for this year, you're talking for high security permanent planning, it's a loss of income for perhaps the next four or five years."

Lester Valley is chairman of the Murray Valley Community Action Group which represents 40,000 people in small towns in a mainly irrigated agricultural area of southern New South Wales.

He says there is no sign of a change in the dry conditions and help will be needed very soon.

"I think mainly the Government needs to concentrate on the way it's going to support economically the infrastructure of the towns and areas right throughout the Murray-Darling basin," he said. ... original publication here

What's on around Wangaratta - 20 April

What's on in Wangarata This is edition 90 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

Community Grants now available

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, is encouraging local not-for-profit community organisations in the Benalla Electorate to apply for funding through the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants available through the Department of Victorian Communities.

Victorian Volunteer Small Grants up to $5,000 will be provided directly to Victorian organisations so they can extend local volunteering opportunities.

“The grants are to encourage local community organisations to attract new volunteers from diverse backgrounds and create new volunteering opportunities”, Dr Sykes said.

“Volunteers form the backbone of our rural communities and many organisations, events and services would disappear altogether if our volunteers withdrew their time”, he said.

Small community organisations can also apply for funding of projects which improve their capacity to manage, develop and maintain existing volunteer programs.

Applications are ongoing and are assessed every two months.
Guidelines and application forms can be obtained from the Department of Victorian Communities website at www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au or by contacting Mrs Peta Clark at Bill Sykes’ office, 2/55 Carrier St, Benalla, Ph: 5762 2100.

If you have any further queries regarding this funding option contact the Department of Victorian Communities on free call 1300 366 356.

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Also take note of the latest community grants on offer by The Foster’s Group.

“Foster's Community Grants support projects in three core focus areas: wellness, culture and the environment. “Wellness” is defined as both physical and mental health, “culture” as artistic, sporting and educational activities and “environment” as all aspects of the natural environment”.

Grant applications will be assessed principally on the quality of the community benefit they will deliver. The on-line application form enables applicants to set out their claims with respect to each of the following considerations:

• The project meets community need and is based on sound research / methodology;
• The applicant organisation/s has a capacity to deliver, or track record of delivering community outcomes and managing similar projects;
• The project has a sound strategy and project plan, which includes identified milestones (if appropriate);
• The benefit produced is viable / sustainable over the long term;
• The community and/or other key stakeholders support the project;
• The project outcomes are capable of evaluation;
• A cost / benefit analysis suggests the project is highly worthwhile.

Round 1: -:12th March – 30th April 2007

Round 2: - 1st August – 19th September 2007

Information, online application forms and guidelines can be obtained from:
www.fosterscommunitygrants.com or Ph 03 9633 2261 or by contacting
Peta Clark, Grant Researcher, at Bill Sykes’ office ph: 5762 2100.

Bushfire recovery dog & fox bounty details

Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, today announced details of the Bracks Government’s $1 million Bushfire Recovery Fox and Wild Dog Bounty.

In a visit to Victoria’s north-east, Mr Helper said the initiative was developed primarily to curb fox and wild dog numbers in bushfire-affected areas.

“This is in addition to existing control programs which take an integrated approach to pest animal management,” Mr Helper said.

“The bounty will help reduce numbers during the unique set of circumstances the fires have created.

“As has always been the case, the fox bounty will operate across the state but collection centres will be focussed in the fire-affected areas of the north-east, Gippsland and the south-west.”

The Bracks Government bounty will run for up to six months, providing $10 for foxes and $50 for wild dogs.

Mr Helper said the wild dog bounty would be available in designated wild dog areas in the state’s east and private land areas adjoining the perimeter of the Wyperfeld National Park and Big Desert Wilderness Park in the west of the state.

“Only members of the Sporting Shooters Association of Victoria (SSAA), Field and Game Australia (FGA) and the Australian Deer Association (ADA) who are Victorian residents or land owners in designated wild dog control areas will be eligible for the wild dog bounty,” he said.

Mr Helper said the Department of Primary Industries had consulted with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), SSAA, FGA, ADA, the Dingo CARE Network and the Department of Sustainability and Environment before finalising the bounty guidelines.

Collections will be once a month at each location. Specific collection times at each location will be announced shortly. The first collections are expected to start at the end of April.

Fox Collection Centres:
Bendigo, Mansfield, Benalla, Myrtleford, Wodonga, Tallangatta, Broadford, Warragul, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Swan Hill, Horsham, Warrnambool, Colac, Ballarat. Claimants must present a scalp consisting of both ears and an intact strip of skin connecting the ears. No other parts will be accepted.

Wild Dog Collection Centres:
Bairnsdale, Heyfield, Warragul, Mansfield, Myrtleford, Tallangatta, Rainbow. Claimants must present a single piece of skin and fur running from the snout, incorporating the ears, along the animal’s back and including the tail. No other parts will be accepted.

For further information on the Bushfire Recovery Fox and Wild Dog Bounty contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Bangerang support alternate Mokoan proposal

Elders of the Bangerang community, who are the traditional custodians of the Lake Mokoan area, have thrown their support behind the Mokoan Wetlands proposal developed by the Justice for the Broken Valley Group.

Bangerang Elder, Sandy Atkinson has written to the Minister for Water, John Thwaites confirming Bangerang support for maintaining water in the lake in order to best protect Aboriginal heritage sites.

Mr Atkinson did this in response to comments in the media by Mr Bill O’Kane, CEO, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority stating that the Justice for the Broken Valley Group’s plan would not protect Aboriginal sites.

Mr Atkinson said, “As an Elder of the Bangerang community, the traditional owners of the Mokoan area, I refute this statement and I wish to point out that the adoption of the plan proposed by the Justice for the Broken River Group (ie. the alternative plan) is closely aligned to our criteria for the protection of our culturally important sites and artefacts.

“As long as we have ongoing consultation and input, and notice is taken of our concerns, we have no doubt that the implementation of this alternative plan will result in a much better outcome for our cultural heritage.

“The total decommissioning of Lake Mokoan will result in some of the most significant cultural artefacts being exposed, thereby risking the desecration of these areas, where as the alternative plan allows for these artefacts to remain safely covered by water.

Peter Ryan signs on to Federal Water Plan

The Victorian Nationals today announced that after weeks of intensive negotiations with the Federal Minister for Water Malcolm Turnbull they were now in a position to endorse the Commonwealth Government’s $10 billion National Water Plan.

Nationals’ Leader Peter Ryan said that negotiations with Mr Turnbull centred on a number of initial concerns party members had with the original plan. These included:

• the governance of the proposed Murray Darling Basin Authority;
• ongoing security of Victorian irrigators’ water entitlements; and
• the risk that water generated as a result of investment in water savings would be diverted to Melbourne rather than being available for irrigators’ future security.

“The Victorian Nationals have secured a written undertaking from the Commonwealth in relation to these and other matters,” Mr Ryan said.

“Mr Turnbull has assured The Nationals that under the Commonwealth plan water will not be compulsorily acquired from irrigators.

“Mr Turnbull has also recognised the potential impact of unrestrained trade in water entitlements and has accepted The Nationals’ proposal that the 4% cap on annual permanent trade from irrigation districts be maintained until the scheduled review, whereas the Victorian Government presently intends that there be open trade from the first of July this year.

“Furthermore, and of critical significance, is the fact that existing Victorian legislation ensures there will be no review of Victorian irrigators’ entitlements until at least 2019. The National Water Plan will honour these arrangements.

“Very importantly, the Commonwealth has undertaken to meet all charges and fees associated with the supply of environmental water entitlements.

“This is extremely important for irrigators who are otherwise faced with the burden of escalating costs associated with the provision of environmental flows. The environment has to pay its way.

“It is also in contrast to Victorian arrangements where the Government has refused to give a similar undertaking in relation to meeting the cost of providing environmental water.”

The Nationals Spokesman for Water Peter Walsh said there were various other constructive results from the recent negotiations.

“A major issue for The Nationals is the risk of the Victorian Government transferring water from the Goulburn Valley to meet Melbourne’s seemingly insatiable thirst. Mr Turnbull has given The Nationals an assurance that, before the Commonwealth invests in water savings projects in the Goulburn Valley, or any other part of the MDB, it would insist on irrevocable bindings that water would be used for environmental flows or be returned to irrigators,” Mr Walsh said.

“A great deal more work needs to be done to implement the Prime Minister’s National Water Plan. But the basic principles are sound and the Victorian Government should now sign on and be part of the process of bringing the new arrangements for the MDB to fruition.

“While hammering out this agreement, the Victorian Nationals have developed an excellent working relationship with the Commonwealth Minister and officials and we intend that dialogue to continue.

“Since The Nationals represent the vast majority of the Victorian Murray Darling Basin, it is imperative that we remain closely involved with both levels of government as details of the plan are developed.”

Peter RYAN MP
Member for Gippsland South, Leader of The Nationals
Thursday, 12 April 2007

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... and Bill Sykes has strongly endosed the package ...

“Victorian Nationals Leader, Peter Ryan and Water Spokesperson, Peter Walsh have used their combined negotiating skills and in depth knowledge of water issues to convince the Federal Minister for Water, Malcolm Turnbull, to provide a written commitment to overcome a series of major concerns with the Federal Murray Darling Basin management proposal.

“It was the Victorian Nationals who raised major concerns when the idea was first proposed – and initially welcomed enthusiastically by the Bracks Government.

“Concerns such as:-

• a need for a cap on trading water out of Victoria;
• ensuring that the costs associated with delivering water to the environment are not imposed on irrigators;
• water savings made in the Murray Darling Basin to remain in the Murray Darling Basin

have all been addressed.

“And importantly Mr Ryan and Mr Walsh have secured a commitment that if the National approach doesn’t work out, Victoria can withdraw from the arrangement.”

“This written agreement removes barriers to Victoria signing onto the National Plan. Once this is done there will be a more favourable environment to address significant major water issues such as expanding Lake Buffalo and Lake William Hovell, retaining a smaller Lake Mokoan, resolving farm dam issues for upper catchment landholders and securing water supplies for communities such as Bright, Mansfield, Euroa and Violet Town”.

Nominations open for NAB Volunteer Awards

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, encourages volunteer groups in the Benalla Electorate to nominate for the recently opened National Australia Bank (NAB) Volunteer Awards, 2007.

“There is a total pool of $215,000 worth of prize money. The State winner of each category will receive $10,000 and a framed certificate and $5,000 is to be awarded to the runner up with an additional $10,000 to be awarded to the National Award winner in each category.

Dr Sykes is confident local groups would have a good chance, “We certainly have some worthy contenders in the area and the recognition and prize money would make it well worth the effort!

Dr Sykes said “These awards recognise the tireless efforts of the many valuable volunteer groups that keep our community strong. We depend on a wide range of community groups for support, safety, education, sports and recreation, to name just a few and these are the kinds of organisations that make me proud to be part of this region.”

In 2007, new sized based categories have replaced the previous sector based system. This change is in response to feedback from organisations and judges.

Category One

Small & Medium organisations.

· A not–for-profit organisation that has 1 – 15 full time-time equivalent (FTE) paid staff.

Category Two

Large Organisations

· A not-for-profit organisation that has 15 plus full-time-equivalent (FTE) paid staff

To be eligible for a National Australia Bank Volunteer Award the nominated group must be able to demonstrate ‘best practice’ in managing their volunteers, have a not-for-profit status, have operated within the Australian community for the past 12 months, and provide a reference letter from a community leader. Groups must also operate with a majority of volunteers.

“Nominations close Friday, 8 June 2007 and application booklets are available from my office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla, or they can be downloaded from www.national.com.au/community.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “It would be great to see local groups being recognised in this vitally important area… so have a go.”

Fox and dog bounty is well received

The State Government’s extension of the recently re-introduced fox bounty across Victoria has been welcomed by Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “I and my Nationals colleagues, along with the VFF and shooters, campaigned long and hard for an ongoing State wide fox bounty.

“It’s just common sense but there will need to be a lot more money added to the $1m allocated by the DPI.

“The DSE should at least match the $1m given that a large number of the State’s foxes live and breed on the public land managed by DSE.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “The fox bounty must be ongoing as part of a coordinated fox control program – otherwise fox numbers will re-bound as soon as the bounty is lifted or control activities ease up.”

What's on around Wangaratta - 6 April 2007

What's on in Wangarata This is edition 89 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

FAQ - National Plan for Water Security

John Turnbull, Federal Minister for Water and the Environment, toured the North East on the 4th April to explain the national water policy and to get feedback from the stakeholders.

As part of that tour, Sophie Mirabella sponsored a public meeting at the Wangaratta Memorial Town Hall. Around 300 people attended the public meeting with Mr Turnbull receiving some spirited questioning from the audience. Below is Mr Turnbull's handout answering common questions.

A NATIONAL PLAN FOR WATER SECURITY KEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Reforming Management of the Murray-Darling Basin

1. Geographical scope of the proposed arrangements.
The proposed arrangements apply to the Murray-Darling Basin. This includes both surface and groundwater in the Basin. In the case of the Great Artesian Basin, which intersects with the MDB footprint, appropriate interfaces for management would need to be developed (ie. the Commonwealth is not seeking management responsibility for the GAB).

2. How will this be done?
We are seeking a clear referral of powers, captured in legislation. How the powers are exercised will be detailed either in legislation or in a Memorandum of Understanding. We intend to have legislation introduced into the Commonwealth Parliament during the May session this year.

3. What is the timing of preparing the basin-wide strategic plan for water?
The strategic plan would developed by end 2008, and will involve wide consultation. Sensible transitional arrangements will be needed before all of the proposed new arrangements are in place.

4. How can States be guaranteed that their current water shares under the MDB Agreement willnot be compromised?
The Commonwealth will honour the existing state shares under the MDB Agreement. There will not be any changes without the unanimous agreement of the basin States and the ACT. As with current arrangements, the volumes of these shares will be influenced over time by improved environmental flows and trade.

5. Will the Commonwealth be taking over ownership of water?
No. Water is and will remain vested in the crown in right of particular states.

6. Will the Commonwealth recognise existing water entitlements?
Yes. The Commonwealth will not be changing any arrangements under the current Water Sharing Plans and will not be reducing the security of any water entitlements.

7. Will the seasonal allocation process remain as is for each State?
The Australian Government is not looking to change the water entitlement products that already exist, but allocations would take into account the improved efficiency of operating the Basin as a single system through the new MDB Authority.
Allocation assessments will be driven off existing water plans and would recognise the ongoing accounting processes relevant to each jurisdiction - the methodology would remain the same.

8. Is the Commonwealth seeking to privatise irrigation organisations (eg. in Victoria)?

No. Nor will the Commonwealth be forcing NSW irrigation corporations to demutualise.

9. Will the Commonwealth be stopping water from being used to grow cotton or rice?
No. We are not in the business of picking winners. The market will operate and individuals will make their own business decisions.

10. The proposed arrangements for funding of the operational and maintenance aspects of theBasin. Funding of the operational aspects of the Basin will be through cost recovery charges to users similar to current arrangements.

11. The arrangements for ownership and Commonwealth use/leasing of infrastructure, includingfor storage of any environmental water the Commonwealth proposes to hold.
States will retain ownership of the infrastructure. The Commonwealth will operate and maintain storages and river flow control works. Entitlements held by the Australian Government will face the standard charges for those entitlement types.

12. Will water charges rise as the result of the Commonwealth taking over?
The Commonwealth Plan presents significant opportunities to streamline the running of Australia's irrigation systems, including trading arrangements. Pricing of water will need to reflect the principles already agreed under the National Water Initiative.

13. Will speculators be prevented from entering the water trade market to obtain profit simply fromthe trade and not the use of water?
The Australian Government does not support limiting who may own water entitlements. Speculators can be a useful market participant as they may develop intermediary products that manage risk for other market participants.

14. Will water trading system take into account social and economic impacts of water transfers?
Water entitlement holders should not be arbitrarily constrained in how they use their capital in the market. Subject to the principles outlined in the National Water Initiative, trade is a choice for individuals. The National Water Commission is required to monitoring the impacts of water trade.

Modernising Australia's Irrigation Infrastructure

15. Will other existing Commonwealth funds (such as the Australian Government Water Fund, Natural Heritage Trust and National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality) be diverted to implement the National Plan for Water Security?
No. The new Plan will be funded with new money. Existing programmes may need to be refocused to ensure consistency of delivery.

16. What will the Commonwealth do with water it is seeking to hold?
The Commonwealth would set up a new environmental water manager to hold and trade water, with a view to achieving improved environmental outcomes in the Basin. The manager would operate according to a new Basin-wide environmental watering plan (to be developed as part of the Basin-wide strategic plan). This will also provide greater water to rural communities and towns in periods of drought.

17. What are the consultation arrangements for the Plan?
States and the Basin community will be consulted on the preparation of the Basin strategic plan and in the implementation of the irrigation refurbishment programme.

18. When will the new funds be available?
Subject to the referral of powers for water management in the Murray-Darling Basin, the funds are available from 2007-08.

Metering and monitoring

19. Will the Commonwealth seek the input and agreement of States on the new standards?
We intend to work cooperatively as we have to date on the development of metering standards. We have an opportunity to make a break through with getting better information and making proper use of it. The Commonwealth does not want further stalling as we've seen in the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in recent years. While there will be fulsome consultation, the Commonwealth will take decisions in the national interest and we are backing that with unprecedented resources.

20. Will the Commonwealth fund implementation of the standards?
The Prime Minister's statement on 25 January 2007 provides details on the implementation of metering and monitoring standards. There are substantial resources potentially available. The Australian Government holds the view that water needs to be measured to be able to be managed effectively.

Addressing Over-allocation in the Murray-Darling Basin

21. Which systems are over-allocated?
The CSIRO sustainable yield project and further analysis will help develop a new sustainable cap on diversion and extraction from surface and ground water systems in the Basin. This will enable us to bring over-allocated systems back into balance and protect the entitlements of irrigators and the health of rivers and provide a level of security not previously available.

22. How will the new Basin cap be implemented?
It is expected that the new Basin water plan, including a new sustainable cap on diversions, will be in place by end 2008. However compliance with the new cap will not be mandatory within particular valleys until the individual valley plans are reviewed in line with their existing review timelines. In the intervening period, the Australian Government will seek to implement the cap within each valley through the water savings and water purchases provided for under the National Plan for Water Security.

23. How will over allocation be addressed so as to not cause distortion in the water market?
The extent and location of possible voluntary buy backs will be determined by our work on a sustainable cap and the achievement of system delivery efficiencies. Water entitlements will be acquired through voluntary buy backs from these areas and adjustment assistance will be available to exit the market or move to new enterprises.

24. Will the Commonwealth indemnify irrigators for any impact on water entitlements and/or lossof production caused by new Commonwealth allocations/management arrangements.
Dealing with over-allocation and establishing a sustainable cap and trading regime will provide a level of security not previously available. The Commonwealth will also provide up to $3 billion for buying back entitlements and assisting irrigators in unviable or inefficient parts of schemes to exit the industry.

New Investments in Water Information

25. Why is the Commonwealth proposing the Bureau of Meteorology hold water information?
The Bureau of Meteorology is a Commonwealth agency that has extensive experience and expertise in managing large volumes of data and importantly in data analysis and modelling complex systems.
Through investments in improved telemetry and data automation the Bureau will collate water data to provide complex scheduling and forecasting information to ensure that the management of water systems is optimised. The Bureau will also provide real time information relevant to paddock scale decision to help irrigators with water scheduling to meet crop requirements.

26. How will the Bureau ensure that data is adequate for river operations and water systemmanagement?
The Commonwealth will invest $480 million to transform the coverage, quality and utility of Australia's water information base. Provision of water data will be compulsory and will have to meet standards set by the Bureau. States will be required to continue to maintain their measurement systems (and the expanded measurement systems beyond 2012).