September 28, 2009
The National Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is stepping up the campaign to protect Gippsland’s water and retain environmental flows for the Gippsland Lakes.
Mr Chester will this week distribute more than 50,000 newsletters encouraging Gippslanders to register their objection to the Labor Government’s controversial decision to take an additional 10 billion litres of water from the Thomson River to divert to Melbourne.
The campaign is in addition to petitions being circulated by The Nationals opposing the loss of Gippsland’s water. Petitions can be downloaded from Mr Chester’s website at www.darrenchester.com and are available at the offices of Mr Chester at 36 Macarthur Street Sale or 126 Franklin Street Traralgon, Russell Northe, Peter Hall, or Peter Ryan.
Mr Chester laid down the challenge to Gippslanders to register their objections so he could present a compelling case to both the State and Federal governments that Gippsland icons such as the Gippsland Lakes will not be held to ransom to supply Melbourne residents with water.
“The only way we can bring the State Labor Government to it senses is through people power,” Mr Chester said.
“We need to build the pressure and make ourselves heard.
“Much of our region is experiencing a drought and the rivers are already stressed.”
Mr Chester said taking another 10 billion litres of water could have disastrous impacts on the environmental health of the Gippsland Lakes.
“There have been several reports which have indicated the Gippsland Lakes are at an ecological tipping point and the further reduction in freshwater flows, particularly at the western end of the catchment, could prove disastrous.
“There is a very real threat of increased algal blooms which already threaten a tourism industry that is worth more than $200 million per year. “
Mr Chester said the decision to take extra water followed the Labor Party’s failure to provide any ongoing funding for the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce in this year’s state budget.
“Together with my State Parliamentary colleagues from The Nationals, I will continue to fight to protect our waterways and the future health of the Gippsland Lakes,” Mr Chester said.
“I’ve approached the Federal Environment Minister to intervene and stop the State Government from taking further water from the Thomson River, given the disastrous environmental effects.
“I will also continue to lobby alongside my State Parliamentary colleagues to have the State Government overturn this ludicrous proposal.
“As elected community representatives, we have an obligation to protect and preserve the Gippsland Lakes for future generations to enjoy.”