March 2, 2012
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called on the Federal Government to commit to ongoing funding for the Gippsland Lakes in the wake of the recent algal bloom.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Chester said the health of the Gippsland Lakes was critical to the local tourism industry and the regional economy.
Mr Chester has worked with State MP Tim Bull to secure a $10 million commitment from the State Government but he believes the Federal Government should do more in the future to preserve the health of the lakes system.
“This year we have experienced an algal bloom in the Gippsland Lakes, and that is not an unknown event. We have had algal blooms over many years at different times,” Mr Chester told Parliament.
“There are a whole range of factors that play into what causes algal blooms but the simple fact is that, when they arrive, they do have an impact on our local tourism industry and on the amenity of the Gippsland Lakes area.
“It is a major concern that, at the Commonwealth level, we have a Ramsar listed wetland and we simply are not pulling our weight in looking after the environment of this national treasure
“My view is that the Gippsland Lakes are really the Great Barrier Reef of the South. It is the biggest inland waterway in the Southern Hemisphere. It is critical to our tourism industry and it is critical to our enjoyment of the Gippsland region.”
Mr Chester has campaigned for more than a decade on the need to have ongoing commitments from State and Federal Governments to undertake practical environmental work in the catchment to protect the health of the Gippsland Lakes and the rivers which feed the system.
“The State Government has allocated $10 million over the next three years for environmental works around the Gippsland Lakes and catchment area,” Mr Chester said.
“My concern is that the current Federal Government funding has run out. About $3 million was allocated in 2007 but there has been no ongoing federal funding.
“There is enormous community support for such a funding commitment, if the relevant ministers could see their way through in subsequent budgets.”