October 5, 2011
The Federal Government is missing an opportunity to work in partnership with the State Government on projects to improve the environment of the Gippsland Lakes, according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester has expressed disappointment in the Gillard Labor Government for its failure to provide ongoing funding to improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes, despite a $10 million commitment from the State Government.
Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester highlighted the inaugural Gippsland Lakes Natural Assets Report Card developed by the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce, to push the case for ongoing funding commitments to improve and maintain the lakes system.
“This is the inaugural report card which uses six key indicators to represent what is a very complex ecosystem and catchment area. These indicators include water quality, algal blooms, wetlands, birds, seagrass and fish,” Mr Chester told Parliament.
“It certainly gives the people of Gippsland an indication of where the environmental status of the Gippsland Lakes is at the moment, and it will provide opportunities for future condition reporting on the Gippsland Lakes.
“My community places a very high value on the Gippsland Lakes and its river systems. It is a mecca for boating, swimming and fishing.”
The report card rated the condition of wetlands and water Quality as ‘good’; birds, algal blooms and seagrass were rated ‘moderate’; and fish received a ‘poor’ rating.
Mr Chester said he was concerned by the Federal Government’s lack of ongoing funding for practical projects in the Gippsland Lakes catchment, given the system’s environmental, social, cultural and economic importance to the region.
“The Federal Government did provide $3 million in the lead-up to the 2007 election campaign for some significant environmental projects … but my concern is that this government views the Gippsland Lakes purely as an election campaign opportunity,” he said.
“There are some major initiatives that are required in the Gippsland Lakes and catchment. It is going to require a significant amount of money over many years.”
Mr Chester said now was the perfect time for the Federal Government to work with the Victorian Coalition Government on positive projects for the lakes system.
“In the lead-up to last year’s state election campaign, I was able to work with the State candidate Tim Bull to secure $10 million over three years for the Gippsland Lakes and catchment areas,” Mr Chester said.
“I think there is a real opportunity here for the Federal Government to leverage off that State funding and do some enormously important work right throughout the Gippsland Lakes and its catchment areas.
“I urge the Federal Government to understand the importance of this extraordinary system and to recognise the national significance of the Gippsland Lakes and start working with the State agencies in partnership on projects to improve and enhance the environment of the Gippsland Lakes.”