Lake Mokoan - Government contemp continues
The Labor Government’s contempt for the people of Benalla has reached a new low with Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) not only withholding flood risk information from Benalla Rural City Council (BRC) but suggesting that BRC fund its own flood risk assessment.
Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla said that GMW & GBCMA’s response to Benalla Rural City Council’s request for flood risk information associated with Government plans to decommission Lake Mokoan is both contemptuous and deceitful.
According to Dr Sykes, Russell Cooper, CEO of GMW refused to release flood risk information to Benalla Rural City Council on the grounds that the relevant “report is the subject of an application made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Under that process, GMW has refused access to the document and the matter is presently before VCAT for determination; in the circumstances I regret that I am unable to release the GHD report or parts thereof.”
Dr Sykes said, “This is yet another pathetic attempt to deny public access to important information using processes which are supposed to make Government Departments more open and accountable. It is a disgrace.”
Dr Sykes continued, “It gets worse. Mr Bill O’Kane, CEO of GBCMA refused to answer Benalla Rural City’s questions relating to the retention of air space in Lake Nillahcootie (in order to absorb flood water surges).
“Mr O’Kane dismissed the questions as “academic” but said, “However, Council (at their cost) could request Cardno Willing to re-run the hydrologic (RAFTS) model to determine the relative change in flow rates at Benalla. In this regard, Guy Tierney is happy to assist Council to prepare a brief for this work”.”
Dr Sykes said, “In effect, Mr O’Kane is saying either GBCMA didn’t do the basic work to check the impact of a part empty (rather than Full) Lake Nillahcootie on flood levels in Benalla or they did the work but they are not prepared to make it available and be subjected to public scrutiny.
“This is outrageously arrogant on the part of Mr O’Kane.
“It also is a continuation of attempted deceit. What people are seeking is a comparison of flood risks now and in the future with when Lake Nillahcootie was managed to have air space as claimed by Mr Frank Rankin, Weir Keeper 1967-1989. Mr O’Kane is simply comparing risks with more recent operating rules which apparently do not provide for air space.
Dr Sykes concluded, “GMW’s refusal of an earlier request for flood risk information was to go to VCAT a week ago but proceedings have been postponed for several weeks.”
“I along with the Benalla & District Flood Awareness Group will continue to pursue the matter. Whether it is via VCAT or other means will depend on the current case before VCAT.
“But be assured, when this is all over there will be a day of reckoning and those who have withheld the truth and peddled half truths and lies will be brought to account.”
Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla said that GMW & GBCMA’s response to Benalla Rural City Council’s request for flood risk information associated with Government plans to decommission Lake Mokoan is both contemptuous and deceitful.
According to Dr Sykes, Russell Cooper, CEO of GMW refused to release flood risk information to Benalla Rural City Council on the grounds that the relevant “report is the subject of an application made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Under that process, GMW has refused access to the document and the matter is presently before VCAT for determination; in the circumstances I regret that I am unable to release the GHD report or parts thereof.”
Dr Sykes said, “This is yet another pathetic attempt to deny public access to important information using processes which are supposed to make Government Departments more open and accountable. It is a disgrace.”
Dr Sykes continued, “It gets worse. Mr Bill O’Kane, CEO of GBCMA refused to answer Benalla Rural City’s questions relating to the retention of air space in Lake Nillahcootie (in order to absorb flood water surges).
“Mr O’Kane dismissed the questions as “academic” but said, “However, Council (at their cost) could request Cardno Willing to re-run the hydrologic (RAFTS) model to determine the relative change in flow rates at Benalla. In this regard, Guy Tierney is happy to assist Council to prepare a brief for this work”.”
Dr Sykes said, “In effect, Mr O’Kane is saying either GBCMA didn’t do the basic work to check the impact of a part empty (rather than Full) Lake Nillahcootie on flood levels in Benalla or they did the work but they are not prepared to make it available and be subjected to public scrutiny.
“This is outrageously arrogant on the part of Mr O’Kane.
“It also is a continuation of attempted deceit. What people are seeking is a comparison of flood risks now and in the future with when Lake Nillahcootie was managed to have air space as claimed by Mr Frank Rankin, Weir Keeper 1967-1989. Mr O’Kane is simply comparing risks with more recent operating rules which apparently do not provide for air space.
Dr Sykes concluded, “GMW’s refusal of an earlier request for flood risk information was to go to VCAT a week ago but proceedings have been postponed for several weeks.”
“I along with the Benalla & District Flood Awareness Group will continue to pursue the matter. Whether it is via VCAT or other means will depend on the current case before VCAT.
“But be assured, when this is all over there will be a day of reckoning and those who have withheld the truth and peddled half truths and lies will be brought to account.”
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posted by Greg Naylor at
6:00 PM
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