Drought: Mental & financial anguish continues

Drought: Mental & financial anguish continues
- call to review zones to allow subdivision

Recent summer rains are encouraging signs that the physical drought of the past decade may be behind us.
However the mental and financial consequences of the drought continue to hurt many families in rural Victoria according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “Many owners of modest sized properties have debts in excess of $700,000 with little realistic chance of significant reduction in the foreseeable future.

“Livestock numbers are down on many properties with farmers unable to afford to restock with sheep and cattle at relatively high prices.

“This means income will be seriously reduced for several years at a time when the cost of inputs is spiralling eg fertiliser has doubled and some farm chemical costs have more than tripled.”

Dr Sykes continued, “These challenges are creating enormous financial and emotional strain for many farming families who have never previously experienced such difficulties.

“The challenge is to provide adequate support to help people ride out these tough times and to be able to make sound long term decisions.

“Both financial and emotional counselling is available however it can be difficult for people needing these services to take the first significant step to ask for help.

“It is up to all members of the community to continue to support each other and guide those in need of help to appropriate professional services.”

“Another option for local and State Government to consider is allowing more properties to subdivide off parcels of land for life stylers. This would allow farmers to clear their debt but retain most of their property and perhaps gain off farm work.

“However, subdividing and selling off farming land is a two edged sword with significant ‘right to farm’ issues as people who purchase life style properties don’t always appreciate what farming folk accept as normal noises and odours.

“A key to this approach is a rational review of new zones in rural Shires with the possibility of rezoning of some farming zones to rural activity zones to allow broader use options for land currently restricted to farming use only. It is critical that any such review involves extensive consultation with potentially affected landholders.

“The Nationals have and will continue to lobby the State Government to fund such reviews given that the State Government forced the new zones upon rural Shires. A realistic amount is $100,000 per Shire, not the $10,000 belatedly offered by the State Government.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “Country people are renowned for their resilience. State Government has a responsibility to support people in their time of need so that they can continue to produce top quality food and fibre which we too often take for granted.
“I will continue to lobby for appropriate support.”

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Last chance to say NO to pipeline

“Local residents have only a few more days to register their concern about the environmental impacts of Labor’s proposed pipeline to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi said today.

The Federal Government has been sent a referral to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act (the EPBC Act) by Melbourne Water. On behalf of the Victorian Government they are requesting that the North-South pipeline project be approved under this Act.

“Melbourne Water and the Labor Party is arguing that the pipeline go ahead, despite the very significant environmental impacts, including problems with endangered species and habitats, and the threat of more blue-green algae outbreaks when Melbourne takes the Goulburn River’s environmental reserve water,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The Federal Government has directed that submissions be lodged in by close of business on the 30th of January. There will be no extensions.”

“It is critical that we have as many of the community as possible register their concern about the environmental impacts.”

“Silence can interpreted as agreement, or lack of concern.”

Members of the community can get more information from www.environment.gov.au/epbc, or by contacting the office of Sophie Mirabella on (03) 5721 5377.

Submissions can be made by:
• email to epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au;
• fax to 02 6274 1789; or
• post to:- Referrals Section (EPBC Act)
Approvals and Wildlife Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts,
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 260.

“I encourage local residents to have their say about this important issue,” Mrs Mirabella said.

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Labor's Ovens/Murray Report should cancel pipeline

“CSIRO’s Ovens/Murray Climate Change Report provides another reason for the Labor Party to plug their pipeline to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“The best estimate of the report is a 13 per cent reduction in average end-of-system flows from the Ovens system into the Murray River by 2030. In addition, the State Labor Government will flush even more water to Melbourne,” Mrs Mirabella said.

This is equivalent to a 228 billion litre reduction in flow to the Murray per year, and comes in addition to a series of warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology of already stressed water supplies.

“In this reduced water environment, the correct response is to do what we can to increase the water in our region, not flush it down to Melbourne.”

“This is yet another major scientific report that highlight the very low water supplies in our area. The Labor Party must now listen to this, and reverse its plot to flush our water down to Melbourne.”

The Bureau of Meteorology recently restated that ‘the deficiencies discussed above have occurred against a backdrop of multi-year rainfall deficits and record high temperatures that have severely stressed water supplies in the east and southwest of the country.’

“In announcing the report, the Federal Water Minister, Senator Penny Wong, claims that she ‘is committed to securing water supplies as we deal with the challenges of climate change.’ If this is more than a political slogan, she needs to secure our water supplies by stopping the pipeline to Melbourne.”

“It is also concerning that the CSIRO report recognised that local towns will have more frequent mild and severe water restrictions under all but the wettest scenario, yet the Labor Party is doing nothing to secure local water supplies.”

“These severely stressed water supplies – which Labor’s own report says will be stressed more in the future – cannot sustain piping water to Melbourne. It is not surprising to realise that if inflows drop, outflows must also drop,” Mrs Mirabella said.

A copy of the report is available at www.environment.gov.au/water/mdb/yields.html

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Sykes seeks explanation on electricity price hike

The Nationals Member for Benalla Bill Sykes is seeking an explanation from the Minister for Energy after local residents reported electricity price hikes in excess of 20%.

Dr Sykes said he had received complaints from several residents after TRUEnergy sent out letters which detailed increases in the supply charge, peak rates and off-peak rates.

“The State Government claimed before Christmas that the electricity price rises would be 17.5% but I’m already receiving reports from local residents who are facing huge increases,” Dr Sykes said.

“The supply charge has gone up by 22% while the off-peak rate is up by more than 34%. On the surface, these increases appear excessive and I’ve written to the Minister for Energy to seek an explanation on behalf of the local community.”

Dr Sykes said the increased energy costs would have a direct impact on businesses and household users.

“At a time when many people are struggling to make ends meet with higher interest rates, increased fuel costs and the impact of the drought – a big jump in electricity prices is going to make things tougher for everyone,” Dr Sykes said.

“TRUEnergy and the government have both blamed the drought and the lack of water for affecting the capacity to generate electricity but I’m not convinced about the need for price increases in excess of 20%.

“I think all country Victorians will be interested to hear the Minister’s explanation.”

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Sykes: Australia Day 2008

Australia Day is an occasion of celebration and reflection.

It is both an occasion to give thanks and show gratitude.

Australia is a blessed country. We are privileged to be Australian.

Ours is a country of great democratic traditions, strong values and distinctive identity.

We are a country that has become the home to people from a greater variety of countries than any other nation on earth. We are also a country that has maintained important values from our past that we sustain into the future.

Australia Day is about promoting our national identity. We rejoice at the fact that all across the country today, new citizens will pledge their allegiance to Australia.

For us as Australians, and particularly on Australia Day, our greatest blessing is our people.

This notion clearly encapsulates what I believe about our country and what makes Australia such a revered and distinctive society right around the world.

Throughout the North-East, we will welcome some of Australia’s newest citizens; people who have come from every part of the world to be one with us.

As we celebrate this day, we count it a great privilege to be Australian.

We pay tribute to our newest citizens and look to their full enjoyment of the benefits and the bounty that Australia brings to all of her people.

Most importantly of all, we celebrate the immense joy and privilege of sharing membership of the great Australian family.

I encourage all residents of the North-East to attend one of the many Australia Day celebrations throughout our region to celebrate our national day.

Happy Australia Day to all.

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Sykes urges motorists to beware around schools

The Nationals member for Benalla, Bill Sykes is urging caution on the roads, especially next week as school resumes.

“During the next week or so especially, motorists need to be aware of increased pedestrian traffic and observe school crossings as our children settle into the new school year,” Dr Sykes said.

“The start of the school year can be a dangerous time on our roads and I am urging both pedestrians and motorists alike to take extra care in school precincts.”

Dr Sykes said there are maximum speed zones of 40 kmh in school precincts and caution should also be exercised when approaching school crossings.

“During the past 12 months I have been fortunate to visit a number of schools in the Benalla Electorate as well as attending a number of school award ceremonies towards the end of the school year.”

“Our young people are our investment in the future and I am extremely proud of the achievements of our students which are a great tribute to both the students for their hard work and the staff for their diligence in the class room.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I take this opportunity to extend to the students in the Benalla Electorate my best wishes for a productive and safe 2008. I look forward to visiting as many schools as possible during the coming year”.

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Sykes: Consumer Affairs information available

A useful guide to help those thinking of building or renovating is now available through Benalla MP, Bill Sykes’ office.

Those interested are encouraged to contact Dr Sykes’ office on 5762 2100 or make direct contact with Consumer Affairs at the cost of a local call on 1300 557 559.

Dr Sykes said it was a useful guide that could help individuals and families through building or renovating, which is often the single most expensive exercise a family can undertake.

“The guide can help people avoid some of the pitfalls, or at least give them enough information to ask the right questions in regard to building laws and at the various stages of the project,” he said.

Some of the areas covered included avoiding common pitfalls, financing, building for the Australian environment, extending and renovating, becoming an owner/builder, choosing a builder, construction, managing a dispute, fences, keeping your home safe and useful contacts.

“The reality is entering into a building or renovating project is a big step in anyone’s life,” Dr Sykes said.

“The guide provides that extra bit of knowledge and accumulated experience of other people to make the task a bit easier.”

Dr Sykes also encouraged people to consider the range of information available from Consumer Affairs on a variety of other topics.

These include:
• Owning, managing and living in a unit or apartment
• Better car deals; a guide to buying, owning and selling a car
• Retirement Villages, and
• Safe products for your baby

“As with the Building and Renovating Guide, the information in these other areas is very useful and a good starting point for a wide range of people,” Dr Sykes said. “Buying a car for example is a major purchase and the guide can help you get started, while also explaining the relevant issues around buying a new or used vehicle, what to check before you buy a used car, dealing with repairers and then selling your own vehicle.

“The Retirement Village information is comprehensive and outlines the statutory responsibilities of village operators. Certain details about retirement villages are required to be registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria and all villages must have an operating internal dispute resolution system in place.

“This and other information can be very important for older couples and their families to know.”

Dr Sykes added that Consumer Affairs has a mobile service that visits several towns in the Benalla Electorate – Alexandra, Benalla, Euroa, Mansfield and Myrtleford. Information on scheduled visits can be obtained from the Consumer Affairs Office situated in the Wangaratta Government Centre, 62-68 Ovens Street, Wangaratta Ph: 5723 6400.

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Low grocery prices depend on stopping pipeline

“If Kevin Rudd was serious about tackling the cost of groceries, he would instruct the Labor Party to abolish its plan to flush the North-East’s water down to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“Rather than take real action, the Labor Party wants to set up yet another review into grocery prices – another review that seeks to fill their policy black hole,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“By taking water from our vital agriculture region, groceries will inevitably be more expensive in the future.”

“When our farms suffer, Australia suffers – and the correct response is to do what we can to increase the water in our region, not flush it down to Melbourne.”

“This comes on the back of recent Bureau of Metereology drought updates that advise of ‘long-term deficiencies’ in rainfall remain in Central Victoria, which ‘have occurred against a backdrop of multi-year rainfall deficits and record high temperatures that have severely stressed water supplies in the east and southwest of the country.’”

“Given the drought and its impact on agricultural production, consumers can only expect grocery prices to increase in the future. This will be exaggerated by Labor’s pipeline to Melbourne,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Instead of merely ‘looking into it,’ the Minister for Water, Penny Wong, should take action and do something about grocery prices.”

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Country Coppers will be hard to recruit: Sykes

The Nationals believe it will be harder to attract and retain experienced police officers in small country towns if the State Government gives approval to the sell-off of 45 station houses.

Nationals Spokesperson for Police & Emergency Services, Bill Sykes said Northern Victorian towns with police houses earmarked for sale include Cobram, Yarrawonga, Rutherglen, Tallangatta, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Mt Beauty, Bright, Marysville, Eildon, Alexandra, Euroa, Nagambie, Tatura, Rochester, Kyabram and Numurkah.

“I know from experience in my electorate that the local police officer living in the local town has a calming influence on a community and adds a great deal to the overall safety of the area,” Dr Sykes said.

“If the State Government allows this sell-off of police housing, it will make it more difficult to attract and retain police officers in these towns in the future.

“In some towns such as Nagambie and Eildon, suitable alternative rental accommodation for police officers can be very difficult to access.

“The provision of housing makes it more attractive for some police officers to base their families in country towns and their contribution to the community extends way beyond official police business.”

Dr Sykes continued, “I call on the Minister for Police, Bob Cameron to give a clear statement of government policy.

“Victoria Police appears to be driving this asset sell-off because it doesn’t have enough money to maintain and upgrade residences.

“Does the Melbourne Labor Government even understand the role that is played by country police officers who live and work in their local community?”

Dr Sykes said he was concerned that the proposed housing sell-off would create a situation of ‘winners and losers’ in country Victoria.

“As I understand the current proposition, the proceeds from the sale of 45 residences will be used to improve the residences in other areas,” Dr Sykes said.

“If your town is on the hit list, it may mean that the police officer and his family will just pack up and move to the next town which offers a home or the officer will move to a larger town and commute to work.

“Either way, the towns which are on the list will find it harder to attract and retain experienced police officers, compared to neighbouring areas which have been able to keep their police residence.”

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CDMA extension is welcomed

“I am pleased the Rudd Government has followed the Coalition's lead and applied a 'no disadvantage' standard in deciding that Telstra's CDMA network is not yet ready for closure,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

While the postponement makes sense, it is odd for the Communications Minister to simultaneously urge CDMA users tomigrate to the Next G™ network "as quickly as possible" despite notbeing in the position to "declare equivalence between the Next G™ network and the CDMA network".

“Telstra is now facing a very clear test of their credibility of their commitment to regional mobile phone users.They need to work hard to regain the trust of their customers and stakeholders who depend on their services,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Throughout the North-East, mobile phones provide an important life-line for hundreds-of-thousands of people and therefore it is vital they are serviced by a network that instills confidence by providing broad and reliable coverage.”

“While Telstra was confident its Next G™ network provided equivalent or better coverage than CDMA, anecdotal reports flooding into my office suggest this was not the case for everybody.”

“It would appear the information provided by the ACMA report supports the anecdotal evidence that delaying the CDMA closure was in the best interests of customers. Having urged Senator Conroy to publicly release ACMA's report and related departmental advice, I am pleased that he has finally done so.”

The license condition requiring NextG to be equal or better than CDMA was initially requested by Mrs Mirabella on behalf of rural Australians in the Coalition party room. The Liberal Minister then issued a licence condition to Telstra that would require Telstra to keep the CDMA network open until the Next G network provides equivalent or better coverage and services, reflecting the public commitments Telstra had already made itself.

“This additional time before closing the CDMA network should provide Telstra with sufficient time to fine-tune its Next G™ network and to assist customers to make the transition. This will include ensuring customers have Next G™ handsets and accessories that are compatible with available network signals.”

Last chance for horse flu assistance

“I urge businesses and workers in the North-East who have been affected by the Equine Influenza outbreak to apply for assistance from the Australian Government before the closing date of 8 February 2008,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“The Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment and the $5000 EI Business Assistance Grant were established by the Coalition Government last year, and people should not self-assess, but have the experts at Centrelink do it for them,” Mrs Mirabella said.

"While the impact is ongoing, there may still be people who are eligible for assistance but have not yet applied.”

"This may particularly affect businesses who have been too busy coping with the impact of the outbreak, and everyone needs to be aware that time is running out to apply for assistance.”

"The best thing to do is call the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002 to discuss your individual circumstances. The hotline operates from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week and most of the claim process can be done over the phone.”

"Additionally, businesses applying for the Business Assistance Grant will have four weeks after the 8 February deadline to complete their application, but they must lodge a claim before this date."

So far, more than $50 million worth of payments have been made to workers and businesses in commercial horse industries and the Equine Influenza Hotline has received more than 50 000 calls.

The impact of the quarantining has not been limited to just horse owners. Those affected may include farriers, horse vets, horse transporters, horse rug makers and repairers, saddle makers and fitters, carriage and sulky makers.

“To find out more about the Equine Influenza Assistance package, call the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.”

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Australian forces in Iraq congratulated; Labor hiding

“The Labor Government’s Department of Defence media release recognising the valuable contribution of Australian forces in Iraq shows that their policy is wrong headed,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

In the announcement, Labor’s Department of Defence announced that Australian soldiers have been paid a surprise visit by US Army General David Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Force in Iraq, who traveled from his base in Baghdad to Tallil Airbase, to see for himself the work of Australian forces in the area.

Further, Labor’s Department of Defence reported:

“Australian forces have helped enormously with the development of Iraqi security forces in Dhi Qar Province and also in Al Muthanna,” General Petraeus said. “It’s been a privilege to soldier with those who come from Australia and we are very grateful for the contribution that they’ve made here.”

“Given that Australian forces are being recognised internationally as having helped enormously to improve security in liberated Iraq, Kevin Rudd should reconsider his policy to remove them,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Notably, the Department of Defence issued the media release under its own name, rather than the name of any Minister. Does the Minister for Defence not welcome this international recognition of the brave sacrifices and contribution of Australian soldiers?”

“Further, the new Labor Government should listen to the advice of Brigadier Andrew Nikolic, who declared that “Australia’s operations in Southern Iraq over the past four years have helped bring stability to the Iraqi people.”

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Sophie congratulates BAE on purchase of Tenix

“I warmly congratulate BAE Systems Australia on their agreement to invest in the purchase of defence contractor Tenix,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“Tenix had been seeking to sell their business late last year, and it is pleasing that a company with a strong track record of commitment to Australia, BAE Systems Australia, is making this proposal.”

“Of course, the acquisition will be subject to foreign investment and competition approval processes, which will be important to ensure that jobs are maintained and the Australian defence industry remains strong and competitive.”

“I will be working to ensure that the Government listens to the interests of local employees and interests when considering this proposal, so that all local stakeholders are protected.”

“I congratulate BAE and Tenix on this acquisition and look forward to hearing further details of the benefits it will have for Australia’s defence industry.”

“I understand BAE Systems will be the largest defence supplier to the ADF as a result of the acquisition and the capability fit of the businesses will provide enhanced capacity and opportunity for the company and its employees.”

“It is possible that this may lead to increased benefits from the facility at Bandiana in a more streamlined logistics operation,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Tenix Sells Defence Businesses to BAE Systems Australia
Tenix has agreed to sell its defence businesses in their entirety to BAE Systems Australia, which is a subsidiary of BAE Systems Plc (BAES).

Defence contractor BAE Systems in landmark racial law exemption
Adelaidenow, Australia - 20 Jan 2008
DEFENCE industry giant BAE Systems will be allowed to discriminate against staff and job seekers by nationality, after a landmark decision today.

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National Youth Week 2008 talent competition

“I encourage local residents to take part in the lead up events to National Youth Week 2008,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“The 2008 National Talent Competitions has just opened, and will contribute towards National Youth Week from 5 to 13 April 2008, under the theme ‘Shout. Share. Live. Unite.’.”

“The National Talent Competitions allows young people to put their creative talents to use in the areas of music, writing, filmmaking, photography and graphic design,” Mrs Mirabella said.

There are five competitions - RockIT, WriteIT, ShootIT, DesignIT and SnapIT, with junior (12 – 17 years) and senior (18 – 25 years) age categories and an Industry Award and a People’s Choice Award in each category.

“The Industry Awards are chosen by relevant experts, while the People’s Choice Awards will be decided through an online voting system, where young people can vote for their pick of short listed entries.”

“Prizes will include computer packages and video cameras, which will help the winners develop their creative talents.”

Full details for the National Talent Competition entry forms are available online at www.youthweek.com

Entries close at 5pm Monday 14 April 2008, with winners announced in June 2008.

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Zuvele Leschen: Poor telecomunications buckpass

Mrs Mirabella’s recent demands for the Minister for Communications, Senator Conroy, to detail which areas of the North East were covered by the recent audit report into the CDMA network shows that, in her struggle for relevance, she is drawing some very long bows indeed.

The report she refers to was commissioned by the Howard Government and its terms of reference framed by them, well prior to the election.

If – as Mrs Mirabella seems to be implying – the audit failed to properly consider the North East, it is her fault, not Senator Conroy’s.

As our local member, she should have ensured that the terms of reference covered this area adequately.

However, her statements imply that she did not do this.

If she had, she would already know which areas had been covered, instead of having to ask the Minister for details.

It seems strange that Mrs Mirabella should draw attention to her own shortcomings in this way.

If she failed to successfully lobby for the North East when she represented the sitting Government, it is difficult to see how she can do so from the Opposition benches.

In the meantime, Senator Conroy should be congratulated for listening to country people and honouring the commitment he made to continue the CDMA network until Telstra could demonstrate that NextG services would provide an equivalent service.

Yours sincerely

Zuvele Leschen

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Small grants for small rural communities

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, advises all not-for-profit organisations that the Small Grants for Rural Communities Program is once again being offered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) in 2008. Applications from communities with a population of 10,000 or less will receive priority.

Dr Sykes said, “The total pool of funding is $300,000. Grants of up to $5,000 are being made available to small rural & regional not-for-profit organisations that have projects and activities that aid the sustainability of their community. The program is simple and straight forward with a swift application and approval process.

Dr Sykes continued, “This has been a valuable program and I am pleased that the following community organisations in the Benalla Electorate were successful in the past round of funding – Benalla Toy Library, Boho Rural Fire Brigade, Bright & District Senior Citizens, Howqua Hills Progress Association & Myrtleford & District Historical Society.

The program has been made possible by the support of The RE Ross Trust, The Myer Foundation, The Pratt Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation, Perpetual Trustees, The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Foundation and FRRR.

Applications that support the following areas of interest will be given preference:

• Community hardship in drought affected areas;
• Community infrastructure;
• Resettlement of immigrants in rural Australia;
• Retention of young people in rural & regional Australia;

There are two rounds of small grants per year. Closing dates for applications are
28 March 2008 and 30 September 2008.

Dr Sykes concluded, “On my travels around the electorate I have many requests for funding. This round of FRRR funding focuses on small communities, and I encourage the many towns in the Electorate of Benalla who are eligible to apply.”

Application forms, guidelines and further information can be obtained from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal website http://www.frrr.org.au,
freecall 1800 170 020 or via email to info@frrr.org.au.

Application forms are also available by contacting Peta Clark, Grants Researcher, at Bill Sykes’ office on 5762 2100.

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Drought update shows water deficiency

“The Bureau of Meteorology’s January drought update provides another reason for the Labor Party to plug their pipeline to Melbourne,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“The core message of the drought update was that ‘long-term deficiencies’ in rainfall remain in Central Victoria – the area most affected by the pipeline to Melbourne,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“It also highlights the importance of saving Lake Mokoan, which provided high security water to local irrigators – a guarantee of water that will be lost under Labor’s efforts to destroy the lake.”

“When our farms suffer, Australia suffers – and the correct response is to do what we can to increase the water in our region, not flush it down to Melbourne.”

The Bureau paid particular attention to rainfall deficiencies over the last two years, and noted ‘that were areas of lowest on record’ rainfall in a large part of our region.

“The Bureau also declared that ‘the worst of the long-term deficiencies are likely to remain for some time,’ and shows that we cannot afford to pipe water to Melbourne from our area,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This is yet another major drought update to highlight the very low water supplies in our area. The Labor Party must now listen to this, and reverse its plot to flush our water down to Melbourne.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has restated that ‘the deficiencies discussed above have occurred against a backdrop of multi-year rainfall deficits and record high temperatures that have severely stressed water supplies in the east and southwest of the country.’

“These severely stressed water supplies cannot be further stressed by piping water to Melbourne. It is not surprising to realise that if inflows drop, outflows must also drop,” Mrs Mirabella said.

A copy of the Bureau of Meteorology’s January Drought Update is available at http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/media_releases/climate/drought/20080107.shtml

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NextG coverage in North East Victoria

“The Minister for Communications, Stephen Conroy, must immediately release the audit report comparing the NextG and CDMA mobile phone services and make public the areas in North-East Victoria which were covered by the audit,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

Minutes ago, Minister Conroy announced that he had received the report of the audit from the Australian Communications & Media Authority – a report that was required as a result of the Coalition’s efforts to protect the interests of rural residents during the NextG/CDMA transition period.

“The newly elected Rudd Government must not forget the needs of country mobile phone users in the transition from Telstra’s CDMA to NextG services,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Last year, I wrote to the Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, asking him what areas in the North-East have been covered by this audit. To date, he has failed to reply.”

The license condition requiring NextG to be equal or better than CDMA was initially requested by Mrs Mirabella on behalf of rural Australians in the Coalition party room. The Liberal Minister then issued a licence condition to Telstra that would require Telstra to keep the CDMA network open until the Next G network provides equivalent or better coverage and services, reflecting the public commitments Telstra had already made itself.

At the time, Stephen Conroy was critical of this proposal, and only as the election drew closer did he backflip and support the Coalition’s clear plan to improve country phone services.

“As part of this, the Coalition directed the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to undertake independent coverage audits of both the CDMA and Next G networks.”

“In recent months, I have sent numerous representations to Senator Conroy on behalf of local residents who have not been able to obtain mobile phone reception with NextG that was as good if not better than CDMA coverage. The Minister has an obligation to listen to North-East residents to ensure they get a fair deal,” Mrs Mirabella said.

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Environmental process for pipeline announced

FROM THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING DATE: Friday, December 28, 2007

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.

Further details on the Planning Minister’s EES ‘Reasons for Decision’ can be viewed at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au.

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