COAL CREEK GETS MP SUPPORT

Nationals MP Peter Hall is urging Gippsland residents to visit Coal Creek Village at Korumburra.

“Entry is now free and school holidays provide a great opportunity to give the kids a day out”, Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said the redevelopment of the village is a great tribute to the volunteers, the friends and to South Gippsland Shire.

“I am well aware of the community concerns that were expressed 12 months ago when the Shire closed the village and for safety and economic reasons some structures were removed.”

“While some disappointment within the community remains, the reality is that Coal Creek continues to be a great asset for the people of South Gippsland.”

Mr Hall visited Coal Creek Village last week to inspect the redevelopment and learn about the parks future plans. The shire and park management acquainted
Mr Hall with what has been done and more importantly what is planned for the future. As a result of the visit Mr Hall said he would be approaching State Government to seek a contribution to future planned improvements.

“Coal Creek is both a Community Park and Museum. As well as providing a wonderful snap shot of South Gippsland’s history, it is a great fun place for the kids. The old fashioned lollies are very popular, the food is wonderful and its free entry,” Mr Hall concluded.

UNCERTAINTY OVER BY-PASS BUFFER

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall is seeking clarity on the buffer zones required for the proposed latest Traralgon By-Pass route.

Mr Hall is concerned that the 600 metre buffer zone would, if the Government’s preferred route for the by-pass comes to fruition, impact on significant facilities and businesses, including the Latrobe Regional Hospital.

“The reality is that under the current proposals the Hospital and a number of other planned developments would fall into the buffer zone area,” Mr Hall said. “The Government needs to clarify that so that the local people and local authorities know what they are dealing with.”

Mr Hall is critical of the Government’s decision on the preferred by-pass route, as it will tie up much of the available land in the Morwell-Traralgon corridor. “I also think there is some disquiet in the Government over this; after all, an inquiry into this chaired by the former ALP member for Morwell Keith Hamilton, had its decision overturned after the Government was forced by one of the State Government departments to look at it again.

“The end result has been something that does no good at all for the Latrobe Valley and its future development.”

Mr Hall added there was now further uncertainty about the impact of the buffer zones.
He raised the matter in Parliament this week, putting the heat on the Planning Minister.

During a member’s statement to the House, he said: “I seek some commitment or an assurance from the minister about the placement of the buffer zone surrounding the proposed Traralgon bypass.

“On 27 February -- four months ago -- I asked the Minister for Planning to clarify the placement of the buffer zones on either side of the planned bypass, because the 600 metre buffer zone on its northern side included some significant structures including the Latrobe Regional Hospital.

“The minister said he would come down and work with the local council and community to resolve the buffer zone issues. To my knowledge, to this point no decision has been made with respect to that; and no announcement has been made by the government.”

Mr Hall said to “give some certainty to existing businesses and planned developments along the highway” the Minister for Planning needed to provide a solid declaration as to what had been decided in respect to the placement of the buffer zones.

PUBLISH PROGRAM OF ALPINE ROAD WORKS: HALL

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall has called for a published works program that sets out a three to five-year work schedule of improvements to the Great Alpine Road.

Mr Hall, along with The Nationals’ candidate for Federal seat of Gippsland, Darren Chester, travelled along the road recently. Mr Hall told State Parliament this week that he and Mr Chester were pleased to see some of the significant recently completed roadworks and other works currently underway.

Mr Hall said local people were also pleased to see the works underway, but added there is much more work to do.

“The people of this region would like to see a published works program that sets out a three to five-year work schedule of road improvements to the Great Alpine Road. Local people want to see their taxes at work,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall added that the current works are the result of a federal government funding package of $6 million announced prior to the 2004 federal election.

“Some might say there has been a fair delay since the funding announcement and the point in time when those roadworks are being undertaken, but there needed to be an extensive consultation program with the local community so priorities could be addressed.” Mr Hall commended VicRoads on the manner in which it consulted the local community about the priority sections of road that needed upgrading.

Outside Parliament he said that was another reason why a three to five year schedule of improvements would be welcomed and useful.

“It will give local people a chance to see what is coming up and if there are any issues that arise, they could have an opportunity to contribute their local knowledge.”

Mr Hall said it would also show a commitment by the State Government to spending the money promised over a number of years through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund. Less than half of the more than half a billion dollars has been spent.

“This is an opportunity for the State Government to demonstrate that the Infrastructure Development Fund money is available and will be spent,” Mr Hall said.

“I think it is a reasonable expectation that the people of the Tambo Valley are given a published schedule of roadworks that the government intends to commit to and undertake for the further improvements that are needed to the Great Alpine Road.”

MERCILESS GOVERNMENT CRUSHING COMMUNITY COMMENT

MERCILESS GOVERNMENT CRUSHING COMMUNITY COMMENT

The State Government is showing a disturbing inclination towards silencing the rights of community to protest against Government decisions, according to Eastern Victoria MP, Peter Hall.

The Nationals’ MP, speaking in Parliament this week after the Government decided to pursue legal costs against a group opposed to the Wonthaggi desalination project, said the government wants to intimidate community groups that challenge government planning decisions.

“Local action group ‘Your Water Your Say’ challenged the actions of the state and federal governments in allowing a pilot desalination plant to proceed before any inquiry was held into the environmental effects of that plant,” Mr Hall said. “The court has heard the matter and at this stage ruled against the community group.

“Now, though, the State Government is hell-bent on pursuing costs incurred for the court hearings from the Your Water Your Say group. If successful it will effectively bankrupt that group and in the broader context sends a message to similar groups, ‘don’t you dare voice your opinion’.”

In Parliament, Mr Hall asked the question: “Is the pursuit of costs against community groups to become a common practice by the Brumby government, which seems obsessed in bludgeoning anyone who dares to hold an opposing view?

“By pursuing costs against this group, the government is effectively intimidating every community group that dares to challenge a government planning decision.”

Mr Hall added later that the State ALP was demonstrating total disregard for the rights of country people.

“The desalination plant was imposed on the people of Bass Coast without any warning, let alone prior consultation, and when people decide to take up their right to protest they are pursued by a merciless government. The Your Water Your Say group has taken the fight up to the Government, not least because other levels of government have been effectively silenced as well, and now that community group is facing bankruptcy.

“Is it the role of the Brumby Government to so mercilessly extract its pound of flesh from community opposition? The message is clear; don’t challenge us, or we will use our power and taxpayer funded resources as a Government to crush you. This is a shameful exercise by the State ALP Government.”

Parliamentary Committee visits Gippsland

Communities in Gippsland will have an opportunity to have their say on access to higher education for students from rural and regional areas. The Victorian Parliament’s Education and Training Committee will visit Churchill and Bairnsdale on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May as part of its Inquiry into Geographical Differences in the Rate in which Victorian Students Participate in Higher Education.

Committee Member and local MP, PETER HALL, said that the inquiry arose from concerns that country Victorians and those from disadvantaged metropolitan areas are less likely than their peers to participate in and benefit from higher education.

Mr Hall said that the inquiry has struck a chord with rural and regional communities. Around 150 written submissions have already been received, many of them from young people and their parents in rural and regional areas.

‘The Committee has already heard that rural Victorians have fewer opportunities to study locally and that relocating incurs significant expenses. It also means leaving behind family and friends and adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. This has implications for the retention of young people in rural areas and the availability of doctors, teachers, engineers and other skilled professionals.’

Participants in the Gippsland hearings will include the Gippsland Education Precinct, local learning and employment networks, representatives of local indigenous communities, Monash University, Leongatha Education Precinct, secondary school staff and students, young people who have deferred their studies, Gippsland Lakes Community Health, local councils and parents from remote communities.

Mr Hall said that it is important for the Committee to hear first-hand about local issues and solutions.

‘Through its regional hearings, the Committee hopes to gain a detailed understanding of the specific issues affecting different communities throughout the state. We are also keen to hear about local strategies and new ideas to overcome the barriers that may prevent people from attending university.’

The views of Gippsland communities will contribute to the Committee’s final report on the inquiry, which will contain recommendations to the Government about how to increase access to university and TAFE courses for all Victorians, regardless of where they live.

The Committee will be holding public hearings for the inquiry in several rural and regional locations including Robinvale and Ouyen in early June. The Committee visited Hamilton and Colac in April.

The public hearings will be held on Monday 19 May from 9.15am to 4.00pm at the Gippsland Education Precinct in Churchill and on Tuesday 20 May from 9.00am to 12.30pm at the East Gippsland Shire Council in Bairnsdale. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Committee also continues to encourage written submissions, which can be emailed to etc@parliament.vic.gov.au or posted to: The Executive Officer, Education and Training Committee, Parliament House, Spring Street, East Melbourne, 3002.

For further information about the inquiry please call Peter Hall on 51747066, or visit http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/etc/.

STATE SHOULD HELP MT HOTHAM FLIGHTS: HALL

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall has called for the state government to explore ways by which commercial airline flights might be reinstated to Mount Hotham for the 2008 ski season.

Qantas has been flying into the ski resort, which has the country’s highest air strip at 1295 metres, but announced recently that it was cutting the service in 2008 because of a lack of pilots. According to the Mt Hotham website, the reason is “higher than normal pilot attrition rate.”

It also states that QantasLink anticipates services will recommence from Sydney and Melbourne for the 2009 snow season.
However, Mr Hall said that still provides an issue for this year and he called for Government assistance in Parliament last week.

“I seek the assistance of the Minister for Tourism and Major Events in regard to airline services to Mount Hotham,” he said.

“Victoria's snowfields are a great generator of tourism activity, particularly in our winter months (and) access to the snowfields has been enhanced in recent times with regular Qantas commercial flights to Mount Hotham.”

Mr Hall said with Qantas advising the Mt Hotham Skiing Company that it was withdrawing services this year, some locals have approached other airline companies to discover whether they may be interested in taking the service.

“Apparently at this stage none of those companies has indicated a willingness to do so. Given the importance of tourism to Victoria, particularly winter tourism in our snowfields, I request that the minister meet with airline operators and explore means by which an airline service to Mount Hotham might be reinstated.”

According to the Mt Hotham website, the Airport will remain open for the 2008 season to cater for general aviation services provided through a range of charter operators from Sydney and Melbourne.

The Skiing Company is working with QantasLink to provide other options for guests via Albury Airport.

Mr Hall said with Albury located approximately 2.5 hours drive from the resort, the service was not comparable with the flights in. He urged the State Government to do all it could to provide an alternative.

GLOWING PRAISE FOR MAKE MOE GLOW

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall has urged local communities to take a lead from the efforts of a group of Moe people, which lead to a place in the national Keep Australia Beautiful awards.

Mr Hall made special mention in Parliament this week of the efforts of the Make Moe Glow group, which he said was a “great example of local people, businesses, community groups and government all working together for success.”

Mr Hall told Parliament that around three years ago Marilyn May and husband Simon May had come to see him in regard to lifting the image of Moe starting with what they believed was the need for a general tidy-up
around the town.

“As a result of that visit I contacted organisations like VicRoads, the City of Latrobe and later the Department of Transport and sought their assistance in improving certain amenities around Moe.

“I also suggested that Marilyn and Simon make contact with the Keep Australia Beautiful Council and seek advice on how towns like Moe could go about improving their physical appearance.”

Mr Hall said as a result, in 2005 a community-based organisation called Make Moe Glow was formed.

“The efforts of those people over a short period have been quite remarkable,” he said.

“In 2007 Make Moe Glow won for Moe a Tidy Towns award from the Keep Australia Beautiful Council, and following that award in 2007 Moe was overall 2007 city winner for the south-eastern region.

“It has also won a sustainable communities tidy town state award and this year qualified as a national finalist, and at the national finals in Hobart recently Moe won the national community action award.”

“It shows wonderful spirit and community pride, and I congratulate all associated with Make Moe Glow on their efforts and what they have achieved in the last few years,” he said.

Outside Parliament he said the Moe group’s efforts showed what could be achieved. “There are other groups who may want to consider demonstrating their pride in their town, just as the Make Moe Glow group has done.”

FATE OF WATER RECYCLING SCHEME IN LABOR’s HANDS

Gippsland MP Peter Hall says the fate of a push to increase water recycling
and use of recycled water in Melbourne is in the hands of the Parliamentary
Labor Party.

Mr Hall said his Private Members Bill, which proposes fixed targets for the
recycling and re-use of water in Melbourne, received in-principal support
when a resolution supporting its introduction passed Parliament’s Upper
House yesterday

The bill will now be sent to the Legislative Assembly.

“My colleagues and I are extremely proud that members of the Legislative
Council have voted unanimously in favour of introducing the bill, which
seeks additional recycling to address shortages of water in Melbourne,”
said Mr Hall.

“Country areas are leading the way when it comes to water recycling – with
towns like Bendigo already recycling 100 per cent of their waste water.

“According to the government, Melbourne currently recycles 22.5 per cent of
its waste water but we believe more can be done to ensure Victoria’s
biggest city is self-sufficient when it comes to its water supply.

“At the moment huge volumes of Melbourne’s waste water are lost when they
are pumped out to sea at Gunnamatta or run out through stormwater drains
into the bay.

“We believe much more of this water could be salvaged and treated to
replace potable water where appropriate and this bill would establish a
framework whereby water authorities were committed to specific targets to
recycle and reuse water.

“In its own paper, Our Water Our Future, the government said the potential
yield from recycling Melbourne’s waste water is somewhere between 95 and
225 gigalitres.

“We’ve enjoyed the in-principal support of government members in the Upper
House, so now it is up to their colleagues in the Assembly to allow debate
on this bill and support a proposal that will achieve enormous water
savings for Melbourne.”

Mr Hall said the Coalition did not believe residents of Melbourne were
happy with Labor’s current approach to securing water to meet the city’s
growing requirements.

“I believe many Melbourne residents are unhappy with the government’s
knee-jerk response to the water crisis, which was to hastily commit to a
desalination plant and a pipe to pump water over the Great Divide to
Melbourne.

“As the Auditor General showed last month, the plan to pipe water to
Melbourne was ill-thought out and the government has failed to consider its
ability to achieve the water savings it promised to achieve by upgrading
irrigation systems.

“I think many Melburnians are actually embarrassed by a proposal that will
see a major food-producing region of Victoria drained of water to flush
metropolitan toilets and water gardens.

“I’m sure they’d prefer for Melbourne to live within its own water means
and for communities in the north to retain that water to use on the food
crops we all enjoy.

“The desalination plant that Labor has proposed is also the subject of
concern in metropolitan communities and many Melburnians would much prefer
an alternative.

“As it stands, the plant will consume vast amounts of energy at a time when
many are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and will lead to massive
increases in water bills.

“The fact that the Brumby Government continues to conceal the true cost of
this project, a cost that will ultimately be worn by households, is a
matter of real concern to those who live in the city.

“The fact is the majority of Melburnians would prefer water recycling
initiatives.

“I urge the Brumby Government to not reject this bill and the water
recycling measures it proposes out of hand.

“It is my sincere hope Labor members actually consult their constituents to
see what water saving measures they’d prefer, as I believe water recycling
and substitution would come in at the top of the list.”

NATIONALS’ WATER SCHEME FOR CITY GAINS PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT

The introduction of a water substitution target scheme, which will see an increased use of collected rainwater, recycled water and treated stormwater, has moved a step closer following action by Eastern Victoria MP, Peter Hall.

A primary aim of the motion put before – and agreed to – by the Upper House of the State Parliament is to reduce Melbourne’s consumption of potable water from the State’s water catchments.

Mr Hall was delighted that his motion was accepted by the Upper House, including Government members, and has now called on the State Government to implement the program.

“Effectively what the program does is commit Melbourne and Victoria to a reduction in potable water use through increased use of recycled water, rainwater and stormwater,” Mr Hall said.

“We have to have a more effective method of ensuring our water supplies are maintained and setting targets is one way of measuring that this happens. The Upper House of Parliament can see the benefits; surely it is not too great a leap for the Government to do the same.”

Under the motion put forward by Mr Hall, a Victorian water substitution target scheme would establish an overall target of substituting 30 per cent of Melbourne’s current water consumption with alternative water supplies by 2020, with interim targets of 10 per cent by 2010 and 20 per cent by 2015.

The targets would be reached by using alternative water supplies such as rainwater, recycled water or treated stormwater in non potable uses. Water substitution certificates would be developed and awarded for those who substitute rainwater and recycled water for potable water.

Under Mr Hall’s proposal, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) would administer the scheme including the issue, registration, transfer and surrender of water substitution certificates.

The program would also require Melbourne Water retailers and large water consumers using more than 10 million litres of water a year to surrender to the Essential Services Commission, at each of the target dates, water substitution certificates corresponding to their share of the overall water substitution target.

Mr Hall told Parliament in support of his motion: “This government is ploughing ahead with the augmentation of Melbourne’s water supply primarily by two means, the north–south pipeline and the desalination plant, seemingly without adequate consideration of alternatives. The position I put today is for an alternative mechanism by which other means of supplementing Melbourne’s water supply could be considered and accounted for.

“My passion on this is no different to that of many country Victorians — that is, we are incensed that this government places greater priority on Melbourne’s water needs than it does on those of country communities.”

Mr Hall said there was no clearer illustration of that than the proposed food bowl modernisation project, where the government says 225 gigalitres of savings can be achieved.

“The thing that incenses country people is the fact that the first 75 gigalitres will be coming to Melbourne. I would claim that the needs of people who live in northern Victoria are far greater than the needs of those who live in Melbourne, particularly when you have got storages like Eildon Reservoir, which I think is down to something like 15 per cent, and much of northern Victoria and country Victoria has been on severe water restrictions for many years.”

Mr Hall said the major problem with the Government’s approach, which included construction of a massive, multi-billion dollar desalination plant in South Gippsland, is that there are significantly better alternative ways to supplement Melbourne’s water supply and meet current and future needs.

“There is scope within what is currently available in the Melbourne catchment to significantly improve the efficiency with which water is harvested and used in Melbourne to accommodate its future growth needs,” he said.

He added that by the Government’s own admission, the plans to take water from northern Victoria and desalination are unnecessary.

“In its own paper, Our Water Our Future, the government says the potential yield from recycled water (from Melbourne) is somewhere between 95 and 225 gigalitres,” Mr Hall said.

“If recycling achieved the top end of that range, that would be enough to meet Melbourne’s future water needs. (A) fifth priority is to implement new and existing water conservation programs that the government suggested would generate about 110 gigalitres of water between 2008 and 2015. Again this is more than 50 per cent of Melbourne’s future water needs.

“If you add those projects up, that is about 450 gigalitres of new water identified in the government’s own document — twice as much as Melbourne is projected to need.

“Hence the claim that I have previously made: if this government were to implement in total its Our Water Our Future program, Melbourne would be awash with water.”
Outside Parliament, Mr Hall said following the success of his motion on water substitution, he would continue to push the Government towards a more self-sufficient Melbourne.

New Pay Deal For Teachers

Nationals MP PETER HALL has welcomed the new pay deal between the
Victorian State Government and Victoria’s 40,000 or so public school
teachers. Mr Hall said it was high time Victoria’s teachers were paid at
comparative levels to interstate teachers and equivalent professions.

It was only a fortnight ago in the Victorian Parliament that Mr Hall lead
a debate calling for Victorian teachers to be paid salaries equivalent to
the best in Australia.

“We want the best education for our children and that means we need the
people best equipped to teach standing in front of the classroom. To get
the best you need to offer an adequate salary”,
Mr Hall said.

“I am pleased the Government has finally recognised the need to reward
teachers appropriately but it has been tardy in doing so.

It took a $396 million pledge from the State Opposition 3 weeks ago and
sustained pressure from the teacher’s union to bring about an outcome”, Mr
Hall said.

However Mr Hall said there appeared to be a number of unresolved issues
associated with the Government’s announcement earlier this week. He said
it was unclear if kindergarten teachers were covered by the new agreement.
He also said it was apparent there was no resolution for TAFE teachers or
school principals in their efforts to strike a new pay deal.

Mr Hall also said there was now a need for the State Government to work
with the non-Government school sector to address imbalances in salary
levels between public and private school teachers.

“So I warmly welcome the outcome for our teachers, but in the areas of
pre-school, vocational education, the principal class and non-Government
sector, there is much more to be done”, Mr Hall concluded.

GOVERNMENT PATHETIC ON EAST GIPPSLAND POLICE CRISIS

Calls for action on police numbers in East Gippsland have received a ‘pathetic’ response from the State Government, according to Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall.

“I raised this matter in Parliament last month (March) because of concerns by constituents,” Mr Hall said. “The response of the Police and Emergency Services Minister has been to handball it back to the Police Command, and it is a hospital handpass at that.

“The police force can only do what it can do with existing resources; I believe in this case there is a clear need for the State Government to provide more resources to the police force to let them do their job.”

The response from the Minister said, in part, “decisions on the placement of police throughout the state are operational matters and are made by the police command on the basis of assessed need. It is important that this process is not subject to political interference.”

But Mr Hall said the issue was not one of interference; rather it was about resourcing.

Mr Hall raised the matter in Parliament last month following a tour of East Gippsland and discussions with local community members.

At that time only three of the eight positions at Orbost were filled and the Police Association had suggested there were seven vacancies at the Orbost police station. As well the Traffic Operations Group at Orbost had not been fully staffed for at least three years. While theoretically Lakes Entrance is to become a 24-hour station, it does not have the resources to meet its current 16-hour service provision.

Mr Hall said police members were being forced to work extremely long hours to provide services and, when times are desperate, call in officers from other stations.

“The sharing of resources between police stations is a common and usual practice for the police, to ensure the numbers are appropriately spread and shifts are covered, but when nearby police stations are also low on numbers there are simply not enough officers to go around,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall’s tour also revealed that there are only two officers at Cann River, who are expected to provide a 16-hour service.

“The reality is that the Government is responsible for resourcing the police; that is why we have a Police and Emergency Services Minister,” Mr Hall said. “The Government needs to act and act quickly to provide the police force with the resources it needs to do its job, and in the case of East Gippsland, that is more officers.”

TEACHERS NEED PAY RISE: NATIONALS

The Nationals have come out in strong support of a decent salary increase for teachers, and have gained support for their proposal from the Upper House of State Parliament.

The Nationals’ Education spokesman, Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall, has called for the Brumby Government to immediately increase Victorian Government school teacher salaries from the lowest paid to the highest paid in the nation.

Mr Hall said: “Teachers are a vital part of our community. Even if everything else in our education system was top class, if we don’t have enough teachers, we have a huge problem. We need to reward them properly for the important work they do.”

In Parliament, Mr Hall spoke in support of the Coalition’s policy to commit nearly $400 million over three years to achieve that goal.

“The government has put on the table a 3.25 per cent wage increase. That will still leave Victorian teachers well below their interstate counterparts.

“The coalition has costed that beyond the existing 3.25 per cent offer on the table, and says another $396 million will be required over three years to bring Victorian teachers' salaries to a level so that they become the highest paid in Australia.

“That is the commitment from the coalition (that) applies not only to teachers in the primary and secondary system but also to preschool teachers, because if there was ever an area that really needs some addressing, it is the preschool system.”

Mr Hall said there was a strong requirement to keep teachers in the system.
“The median age of the profession is increasing, and it is common for teachers to retire just prior to their reaching the age of 55 years. Given the fact that 40 per cent of the teaching workforce is currently aged over 50 years, there is an impending shortage of teachers in the very near future,” Mr Hall said.

He added it was important that Victoria keep ahead of the pack.

“There are pressure points in the system. If we do not address those pressure points, then we will soon fall behind in the race of delivering the best quality education in Australia.”

Mr Hall said he was particularly keen to see the situation for preschool teachers improved.

“This is an issue which I stressed strongly prior to the last state election. We need to do something to improve the conditions, salary levels and workloads in preschools around Victoria. I am pleased that the government has now moved preschools under the umbrella of education and early childhood development.

“That was a great first step, but the most important step is to provide pay parity for preschool teachers.

“We have an absolute dearth of preschool teachers, particularly in country areas where preschools often have to cancel sessions because there are no emergency teachers to come into the system and take over when a director is sick or is on leave for a day.

“We need to bring about that pay parity between preschool teachers and primary and secondary teachers to ensure that we maintain supplies of qualified preschool teachers in the system.”

Mr Hall’s motion, “That this house recognises the importance of education to Victoria's future and sustaining its economic prosperity, and calls on the Brumby government to immediately increase Victorian government school teacher salaries from the lowest paid to the highest paid in the nation,” was agreed to by the House.

PRESSURE BUILDS TO RECYCLE WATER

The Victorian Liberal National Coalition will step up the pressure on the Brumby Government to implement water recycling and reuse targets for Melbourne with the introduction of a Private Members Bill in State Parliament.

The Nationals Upper House Leader Peter Hall has prepared the Victorian Water Substitution Target Bill which sets out a plan to reduce the use of drinking water and encourage the development of alternative water supplies including recycled water, treated storm water and rain water.

“This Bill puts water conservation and water re-use as a priority rather than the government’s solution of pillaging water from the drought-hit Goulburn Valley and the highly expensive desalination option,” Mr Hall said.

“Under the Bill that I will introduce to the Upper House, there will be overall savings of 30 per cent of Melbourne drinking water by 2020.”

Mr Hall said the Bill was supported by Coalition MPs at a meeting in Parliament today.

“It is a commonsense response to meet Melbourne’s water security needs,” Mr Hall said.

“Melbourne currently uses about 412 gigalitres of water per year and about 273 gigalitres ends up as waste water. Only about 61 gigalitres is currently recycled and re-used while the remaining 210 gigalitres is pumped out to sea.

“Instead of implementing an extensive program of water recycling and re-use for non-drinking purposes, the Brumby Government has pursued high-cost and divisive options which are not as environmentally-friendly.

“The State Government hasn’t even scratched the surface in terms of recycling water and stormwater harvesting in Melbourne.”

Mr Hall said the Private Members Bill provided for water retailers and large water consumers to be locked into specific water substitution targets along the same lines as have been legislated for a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and a Victorian Energy Efficiency Target.

“We’re talking about a new approach to securing Melbourne’s water needs without taking more water from country Victoria and building a hugely expensive and environmentally unfriendly desalination plant,” Mr Hall said.

“The Bill will not require Melburnians to drink recycled water but more emphasis would be placed on recycling water and stormwater harvesting for non-potable use.

“It makes sense – both environmentally and economically – to fully explore all water recycling and stormwater harvesting options to augment Melbourne’s water supplies,” Mr Hall said.

LIMITED DUCK SEASON SHOULD BE CONSIDERED: NATIONALS

More flexibility in decision making is needed to ensure appropriate duck hunting procedures are in place, according to the Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Peter Hall.

Mr Hall, after raising the matter in Parliament in February, has just received a attempted justification from the State Environment Minister for the decision to cancel this year’s season.

“My concern is that this decision was made too early, without the capacity to take into account changes in weather patterns,” Mr Hall said.

“The State Government decided in December last year to cancel the season, only to have quite heavy rainfall across parts of Eastern Australia.

“There needs to be more flexibility to allow the Government to respond to changes, even if it is to allow a limited season with limited bag numbers,” Mr Hall said.

He said the reality is that by the middle of March, when the season would normally open, there could have been a duck hunting season.

“Conditions improved significantly after the decision was made mid – December, with rains in Queensland and northern New South Wales, with water birds flocking to those areas and breeding in literally tens of thousands. Conditions have also continued to remain most favourable in parts of Victoria, particularly Gippsland.

“The problem is the Government has locked itself into a premature decision making process. The end result could be that local regions that benefit from duck hunting miss out, when a restricted season could have provided some benefit.

“As well, we could face a huge surge in the duck population, which may then become a management problem next year.”

Mr Hall favoured the approach taken in 2005, when drought was far more evident across Victoria than this year and the state was experiencing a worse season in terms of water bird numbers. In that year the government announced a limited season with limited bag limits.

“I had requested that the minister reconsider his decision to cancel the 2008 duck hunting season in Victoria, but unfortunately there is no flexibility in the system. This needs to change so that proper management of bird numbers takes place and the economic benefits of duck hunting are not denied to country towns.”

GOVERNMENT HIDES FACTS ON WATER

The Auditor-General has exposed the State Government’s decision to transfer $490,000 from projects on the Gippsland Lakes to help fund the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline.

And it has been revealed that the State Government may have deliberately under-stated the cost of the controversial Wonthaggi desalination plant by not telling Victorians the most likely cost of the proposal.

The Nationals Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall said he was alarmed by the revelations in the report titled: Planning for Water Infrastructure in Victoria.

“The Auditor General’s report is highly critical of many of the Brumby Government’s decisions in relation to water projects,” Mr Hall said.

“The most alarming aspect of the report is the financial probity issues surrounding the desalination plant. The Auditor-General has revealed that the published capital cost of $3.1 billion was not the most likely cost of the project.

“The State Government has deliberately under-stated the cost of the project and is refusing to provide details on the ‘highest probability estimate’.

“The Auditor-General found that if the government wanted to use the less accurate estimate, it should have justified this decision publicly.

“As it stands now, we have the very real prospect of a cost blow-out. And given the report reveals customers will be footing nearly 90 per cent of the cost, Gippsland water users can anticipate hefty price hikes in future.

Mr Hall said the transfer of $490,000 intended for works in the Gippsland Lakes catchment to the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline project had not been explained by the government.

“Given the Brumby Government has already cut funding by 50% to the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce, I doubt that we will ever see that $490,000 again,” Mr Hall said.

“The money was intended for small town sewerage upgrades to improve water quality in the lakes.

“Water quality is a critical factor in preventing algal blooms and the Brumby Government should be increasing its funding for nutrient reduction projects, not sneakily transferring money to the other side of the state.”

FIREWOOD SUPPLIES UNDER THREAT

The availability of firewood across Gippsland is under threat, because of the procedures put in place by VicForests.

Eastern Victoria MP and The Nationals Resources spokesman, Peter Hall, has called for a review of VicForests’ firewood procedures and practices to ensure ready availability of firewood for both commercial and private collectors.

Mr Hall told Parliament this week that people are concerned with the VicForests process, because of irregular and unreliable supply and the price, which is at least four times that paid for commercial firewood from Department of Sustainability and

Environment operations in other parts of the state.
Mr Hall said it was vital that eastern Victorians have access to sufficient, regular and affordable supplies of firewood. VicForests controls all the harvesting and sale of forest products in eastern Victoria.

“Firewood is the only viable and affordable option for many people in rural areas for the purposes of heating, and is therefore regarded pretty much as an essential commodity,” Mr Hall told Parliament.

“Last winter the supplies of firewood were desperately short right across the Gippsland region, and I am afraid the outlook for this winter appears to be no better.

“The problem arises from the fact that VicForests is a commercially driven public enterprise, focused on sawlog and pulpwood operations. Firewood is a poor cousin to these operations, and it appears that there is a less than satisfactory process in place to enable ready access by both commercial and private collectors of firewood.”

Mr Hall said in the past commercial firewood operators were allocated a coup for the purposes of collecting firewood, they undertook thinning operations or at times they undertook salvage operations from coups harvested for sawlog operations.

“This does not seem to be the case now. VicForests is now insisting on door sales – that is, product is being delivered directly to the door of the commercial firewood cutters and they do not have the same access to coups in the forest.”

Mr Hall pointed out the problems with supply and delivery this created, as well as the escalation in price.

Mr Hall called on the Treasurer, who is the Minister responsible for VicForests, to act quickly to ensure access to sufficient, regular and affordable supplies of firewood.

“I ask the Treasurer to ensure that VicForests reviews its firewood procedures and appropriate practices to ensure ready availability of firewood for both commercial and private collectors.”

Outside Parliament, Mr Hall said with winter fast approaching and many people stocking up on firewood, it was an urgent issue. “It has to be addressed so people in eastern Victoria are not compromised because of the processes the Government has in place.”

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO EXPLAIN TIMBER INDUSTRY JOB LOSSES

A decision to allow interstate timber companies to purchase Victorian sawlogs has cast doubts on the State Government’s promises to the East Gippsland timber industry, according to Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan and The Nationals Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall.

Mr Ryan said the decision by VicForests to allow more than 8000 cubic metres of sawlogs per year to be transported to Eden for processing would result in direct and indirect jobs losses in East Gippsland.

“The auction system makes a mockery of the Labor Party’s promises to ensure there were no nett job losses in the timber industry,” Mr Ryan said.

“The blind pursuit of the bottom line result by VicForests has ignored the enormous social consequences of awarding contracts to interstate processors.”

The issue was raised in State Parliament this week when Mr Ryan questioned the Minister for Agriculture Joe Helper about the government’s timber policies.

“Mr Helper claimed that VicForests would consider the social impact of its decisions but the VicForest charter is only focused on the bottom line,” Mr Ryan said.

“Under the auction system, there is absolutely no effort by VicForests or the Brumby Government to ensure that the needs of towns with a strong interest in the industry receive any consideration whatsoever.

“Selling Victorian logs to a New South Wales mill while local towns are screaming out for jobs in East Gippsland is a short-sighted decision that will have devastating long-term impacts.”

Mr Hall said one company based in Eden which had purchased logs under the auction system had received a taxpayer-funded payout to exit the industry in Victoria under the Labor Government’s Voluntary Licence Reduction Program.

“They were paid to shutdown their sawmills in Gippsland and now they have expanded in Eden and are receiving Victorian sawlogs at the expense of local jobs,” Mr Hall said.

“It is a bizarre public policy when the Brumby Government is prepared to sit back and watch a community like Orbost struggle for permanent jobs while our timber is being transported across the border to a company that has received a Victorian taxpayer-funded payout.”

Mr Hall said the VicForest charter of receiving ‘the greatest financial value for all Victorians’ was flawed and had compromised the future of East Gippsland timber families.

“Industry experts estimate that every 1000 cubic metres which is harvested in East Gippsland and transported out of the region takes another job away from towns like Orbost,” Mr Hall said.

“Every one of those jobs is another family that doesn’t have a breadwinner in Orbost and the flow-on effects are felt in every part of community life.

“The Brumby Government must intervene and ensure that there is consideration of the social impacts of these decisions as part of the long-term sustainability of the native hardwood timber industry.”

Mr Hall and Mr Ryan said they would continue to raise the timber industry issues in State Parliament and call on Melbourne Labor Ministers to overhaul the VicForest system.

“The auction system and the decision to tender out the harvesting and haulage component of the industry has been to the detriment of local small business operators,” Mr Hall said.

“The timber industry plays a vital role in the social and economic fabric of the East Gippsland community and its environmental credentials are far superior to many other industries.
“I believe it makes sense to sustainably harvest our own forests than to pillage the forests of developing countries around the world. As a matter of principle, more of the benefits of that sustainable harvest should accrue in the local community rather than be dispersed to NSW and beyond.”

GOVERNMENT DISMISSES EAST GIPPSLAND POLICE CRISIS

Police numbers in East Gippsland are well down, but the State Government simply does not care, according to Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall.
Mr Hall raised the issue in Parliament this week as a means of forcing the Police Minister to investigate why police numbers are so low, but the State Government attempted to have his question disallowed.
Mr Hall was incensed when a Government Minister refused to investigate the issue. “The Government demonstrated arrogant disinterest in the people and the issues of East Gippsland.
Earlier in the Parliament, Mr Hall raised the matter for the attention of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, following a recent tour of East Gippsland and discussions with local community members.
“Chief among their concerns was the lack of police numbers at the Orbost police station,” Mr Hall told Parliament.
“I believe, and the local chamber of commerce believes, that only three of the eight positions at Orbost are filled currently, and that situation is expected to worsen in the near future. Indeed I noted public comments from the Police Association quoted in this week's local paper which suggest that there are seven vacancies at the Orbost police station.”
Mr Hall said police members were being forced to work extremely long hours to provide services and, when times are desperate, call in officers from other stations. The problem is, other stations are also low on numbers.
“The sharing of resources between police stations is a common and usual practice for the police, to ensure the numbers are appropriately spread and shifts are covered, but when nearby police stations are also threadbare in the number of officer positions filled, then there are simply not enough officers to go around,” Mr Hall said.
“The traffic operations group at Orbost has not been fully staffed for at least three years.” He added that while theoretically Lakes Entrance is to become a 24-hour station, it does not have the resources to meet its current 16-hour service provision.
“Also, there are just two officers at Cann River, who are expected to provide a 16-hour service. The situation is causing great community outrage, and it seems that this government is doing precious little to address the problem,” Mr Hall said.
The Nationals’ MP called on the Police Minister and the government to explain how it is going to provide Victoria Police with the resources to enable adequate policing services to Orbost and the whole of East Gippsland.
But he was furious when the senior Government member in the Upper House, Theo Theophanous, tried to push the issue away so the Government would not have to respond.
Mr Hall said the Minister was trying to play politics with the safety of people in East Gippsland.
“Trying to push my question to one side, so that it would never reach the appropriate Minister, showed total disregard for the people of East Gippsland,” Mr Hall said. “The issue is that police numbers in East Gippsland are way down, and it is a legitimate question to find out what the Government is going to do about it.
“I will pursue the Police Minister and the Government to get an answer.”

INQUIRY STARTS INTO EDUCATION PARTICIPATION

A Parliamentary inquiry, instigated by Eastern Region MP and new Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, Peter Hall, into the reasons why fewer country students participate in higher education is about to get underway.

Mr Hall is urging local people and organisations with an interest in education to consider making a submission to the inquiry by the State Parliament’s Education and Training Committee.

“The reality is that tertiary education participation rates for students in rural and regional Victoria have been on the decline for a number of years now, not least because of the clear difference in the ability for country students to access higher education facilities,” Mr Hall said.

“This inquiry is an important one because it will look at the reasons for those differences and make some recommendations as to how those issues can be overcome.”

Mr Hall, The Nationals’ Education spokesperson and a member of the Education and Training Committee, put the original motion to establish the inquiry in July last year. It received all party support, with the Committee now required to inquire into and report no later than 20 June 2009 on geographical differences in the rate at Victorian students participate in higher education.

“With many students – country and metropolitan – starting university and TAFE this month and next, the inquiry is timely,” Mr Hall said. “It is important that the Committee receives good information and I would encourage local people to consider making a submission.”

The committee will also be visiting a number of regional centres during this year.
A copy of the terms of reference can be obtained through Mr Hall’s office (telephone 51747066) the Committee’s office in Melbourne on telephone 03 8682 2821, or by visiting the Committee’s website at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/etc

“It is a particularly important inquiry for regions of Victoria, such as Gippsland,” Mr Hall said. “The statistics show quite clearly that if you live and go to school in country Victoria, you are less likely to go on and study at university than a student who lives and studies in Melbourne.

“There are no genetic reasons for these differences; no one can argue that country students are less intelligent than city students. The evidence suggests very strongly that where a young person lives, and a whole range of associated factors like the socioeconomic levels experienced by students and their families, influences educational outcomes. “

Mr Hall said he did not believe that going to University is the “holy grail” of education. “But it is important one for a range of reasons for those who want to go to higher education. Where we live should not impact on our ability to attend university if we choose to do so.”

Over the past five years, the number of country students enrolling in a university course after completing year 12 has fallen by about 4%. In some regions such as in the Western District and Ovens Murray, the declines have been over 20%. By contrast, the comparable figure during the same period for Melbourne-based students is an increase of 15%.

In Gippsland, the percentage of students who go to university is just over 30 per cent.

“This inquiry may well establish that geographic location is a disadvantage to people in country Victoria. If we can demonstrate this, there could be an opportunity to guide Government spending to try and redress this issue,” Mr Hall added.

HALL IN SHADOW CABINET

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan has welcomed today’s announcement that Upper House Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall has been appointed to the Coalition’s Shadow Cabinet.

Mr Hall has accepted the portfolios of Tertiary Education and Training, along with Skills and Workforce Participation.

“Peter has a strong background in the education sector, having worked as a teacher before entering State Parliament,” Mr Ryan said.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the role and has a great understanding of the needs of young people as they progress through the education system and into further training or apprenticeships.”

Mr Hall said he was particularly interested in the widening gap in the Year 7-12 retention rates between city and country students.

“The lower retention rates leads to lower participation rates in tertiary studies and further training opportunities,” Mr Hall said.

“It is widely appreciated that we need more skilled workers in country areas and I believe there are opportunities to help young people either remain in rural and regional Victoria, or return once they have undertaken further studies.

“I’m looking forward to consulting widely with the community as the Coalition develops its policies to take forward to the 2010 state election.”

Mr Ryan said the inclusion of eight country-based Members of Parliament in the Shadow Cabinet would ensure a balanced approach to decision-making.

"We have a strong team of experienced country MPs in the Shadow Cabinet to ensure that the needs of all Victorians are well represented," Mr Ryan said.

"At a time when the Brumby Government's policies are dividing city and country families, we have a Shadow Cabinet team that will work to unite our state. Victorians deserve better than the Brumby Government."

GOVERNMENT SELLING OFF WATER FOR SPORTS GROUNDS?

GOVERNMENT SELLING OFF WATER FOR SPORTS GROUNDS?

The State Government needs to come clean on what it is doing with Victoria’s water, according to the Nationals.

Eastern Victoria MP Peter Hall raised in Parliament this week a newspaper report which suggested that the State was considering ways in which to sell drinking water to local councils, at top dollar, and using the proceeds to fund other water saving projects. The water would be sold to councils for irrigation of sports grounds.

“The Government needs to come clean on whether it is selling drinking water to local councils for sports grounds. ”

Mr Hall told Parliament: “I can tell the house that people in my electorate and also other country Victorians are absolutely outraged that while this government is prepared to take water from the country regions of Victoria via a north-south pipeline and via a desalination plant in West Gippsland, it plans to profit from obviously excess water supplies that it has in Melbourne.

“By all means water sportsgrounds in Melbourne, but use recycled water. There is no need to use good potable water for such purposes.

“Today I call on the government to inform Victorians as to whether it has profited by selling excess water to local councils while keeping Melburnians on stage 3a water restrictions and robbing country Victorians of preciously needed water while failing to implement any projects that utilise significant amounts of recycled water.”

Mr Hall said he would pursue the Government on this issue, while also investigating the broader issues around water supply.

A Nationals- instigated Parliamentary inquiry into water supply for Melbourne will be held this year, and will look at the broad issues of water savings, including increased conservation and efficiency efforts, collection of stormwater, reuse of treated waste water, use of groundwater, small locally based desalination plants and any other options that add to better water use.

Outside Parliament, Mr Hall reiterated the view that Melbourne’s present and future water needs could be met without the need for the proposed north-south pipeline, which would divert water from the Goulburn Valley, or the desalination plant proposed for Wonthaggi.

In debate in December 2007 on the need for the inquiry, Mr Hall said; “Our (The Nationals) claim, which has been supported by government documentation was that sufficient water -- in fact, plenty of it – could be produced from treated recycled water or harvested stormwater to actually supplement Melbourne's required water supplies without the need to take more water from the north of the state, from Gippsland or from any other part of the state as well.”

BUYERS BEWARE OF WIND FARM DEVELOPMENTS

BUYERS BEWARE OF WIND FARM DEVELOPMENTS

The State Government must amend planning guidelines to ensure that people purchasing property are informed of any plans for wind farms on adjacent or nearby land.

Eastern Region MP Peter Hall said this week that a couple in his constituency had already been caught out, despite having made extensive inquiries before going through with a purchase.
“The incident with these constituents made it obvious to me that there is an urgent need to have in place formal mechanisms that show prospective wind farm developments are situated,” Mr Hall said.
“It is unfair to have someone purchase a property and then find out later a wind farm is planned for adjoining or nearby land.”

Mr Hall told Parliament this week that such an incident had been raised with him by constituents who looked at a 100-acre property.

“In preparation for the purchase of that property they checked property titles, all local planning schemes, the local council and undertook every reasonably expected level of diligence that one would expect.
“In all the diligence they did there was no indication of a wind farm being proposed in the vicinity of the property which they were intending to purchase. The council had no indication of such a wind farm.

“It was only after the purchase was complete that they literally stumbled on the fact that a 100-turbine wind farm was planned for property immediately adjoining that which they had recently purchased. I say 'stumbled' because during an internet search on soil types they came across an internet site that indicated that a particular company was planning to build a 100-turbine wind farm on the adjoining property.”

Mr Hall said when the couple searched further, they found the proposal mentioned on the Department of Primary Industries website. The site lists a whole range of wind energy projects and the status of each of those projects in Victoria.

“It seemed to me that no authority, except for the Department of Primary Industries, had any idea that this was the proposed location for a wind farm. It puts property purchasers at a great disadvantage. They should be able to find out if a planning permit or a wind farm is being proposed for adjoining property as part of their normal evaluation before purchase.”

Mr Hall said the incident demonstrated the need for an amendment to the planning guidelines for wind farms in Victoria, with mechanisms put in place to alert intending property purchasers of prospective wind farm developments.

Mr Hall has asked the State Government to act on the matter “with a sense of urgency” to ensure other people are not disadvantaged.

SMALL TOWN GRANTS AVAILABLE

The Nationals Member for Eastern Region, PETER HALL encourages non-profit organisations to consider applying for grants from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

“The Small Grants for Small Rural Communities program is now open for applications and prioritises funding for rural communities of 10,000 people or less,” Mr Hall said.

“My office receives many calls for help from community groups looking for funding for worthy projects. This round of FRRR funding focuses on small communities, and many towns in the Eastern Victoria region are eligible to apply.

“Around $500,000 in funding is available each year and grants of up to $5000 are available for small rural and regional non-profit organisations that have projects and activities to aid the sustainability of their community.”

Preference is given to applications which address community hardship in drought affected areas; community infrastructure; resettlement of immigrants in rural Australia; and retention of young people in rural and regional Australia.

The closing date for this first round of funding is March 28, 2008.

“I encourage potential applicants to make a strong submission that targets the stated criteria,”

Mr Hall said.

“I am aware of a wonderful initiative that won funding by a volunteer group in another part of the State.. This group of ageing parents used their funding to lobby politicians in Melbourne and to commission a design for a house to accommodate their severely disabled children and a full-time carer.”

He said the grants had been made possible by the support of several trusts and organisations including The R E Ross Trust, The Myer Foundation, The Pratt Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation and Perpetual Trustees.

It is also supported by The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Foundation, DoTaRS, The Ian Potter Foundation, The Yulgibar Foundation, The Estate of the Late Edward Wilson Trust and FRRR, which administers the program.

Application forms, guidelines and further information can be obtained from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal website at www.frrr.org.au

More information can also be obtained by calling 1800 170 020 or emailing info@frr.org.au

MINISTERS IGNORE LAKES ISSUES: NATS

Melbourne Labor Ministers have been urged to visit the region and gain a
first hand appreciation of the issues surrounding the algal bloom in the
Gippsland Lakes.

The Nationals Upper House Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall said that
Brumby Government Ministers had not visited the region to assess the impact
of the bloom or given any commitment for extra financial assistance for
tourism marketing or the nutrient reduction program.

“I’m surprised that the Minister for Environment or his other Cabinet
colleagues haven’t visited the region and gained a first hand appreciation
of the algae issues, prior to Parliament resuming sittings next week,” Mr
Hall said.

“The negative publicity surrounding the algal bloom has undoubtedly had an
impact on the region’s reputation and it would be worthwhile for senior
Ministers to come to Gippsland and meet with community representatives.

“Although the warnings against swimming in affected areas are still in
place, it is very important that we continue to keep stressing all of the
other activities which can still be enjoyed by visitors to East Gippsland –
such as swimming on the 90 Mile Beach; boating and fishing on the lakes;
and exploring the other attractions in the region.

“The Brumby Government Ministers could assist in promoting that message
through visits to the region and a financial commitment to additional
resources for tourism marketing in the future.”

Mr Hall said he was also concerned about the longer term environmental
health of the Lakes and catchment areas.

“Algal blooms have occurred in the past and it is very likely that they
will occur in the future unless we have more success at reducing the amount
of nutrients entering the system,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the Brumby Government has cut funding for the nutrient
reduction program from an average of $3.2 million per year to just $2
million per year. In the lead up to this year’s State Budget, I will
continue to raise the issue in Parliament and seek extra funding for
ongoing research and resources to reduce the amount of nutrients which
enter the system in the first place.

“The environment of the Gippsland Lakes is vital to the social and economic
life of our region and there needs to be a long-term commitment to
restoring the system to better health.”

MOTORISTS URGED TO SLOW DOWN AROUND SCHOOLS

The Nationals Spokesman for Education Peter Hall has issued a timely reminder to motorists to slow down around schools with classes set to resume in the next 10 days.

Mr Hall said safety around schools was a community responsibility and he urged extra caution to start the 2008 school year.

“Motorists may have become a bit complacent in recent weeks with the absence of activity around our schools but the return to classes will mean the return to enforcement of school speed zones,” Mr Hall said.

“I urge everyone to slow down around schools at all times, but particularly during ‘drop-off’ and ‘pick-up’ times.

“Despite the best efforts of parents and teachers, younger children don’t always remember the road rules and it’s up to motorists to act responsibly.”

Mr Hall said the State Government should also make a greater funding commitment to the installation of illuminated speed warning signs around all schools.

“The Nationals campaigned strongly for the implementation of school speed zones and we welcomed the speed restrictions in the interests of public safety,” Mr Hall said.

“But there needs to be more resources provided for the installation of illuminated signs which warn motorists of the appropriate speed during the critical hours of the day.

“The static signs are a step in the right direction but illuminated signs are highly visible and increase safety for motorists and pedestrians.

“The State Government needs to commit to the rollout of illuminated signs across the state to avoid any confusion and reduce the likelihood of accidents.”

NATS BACK TROUT FISHING

The Nationals are calling on the State Government to rule out proposals to poison trout in Victorian streams and rivers.

The Nationals Member for Eastern Region and Spokesman for Natural Resources Peter Hall said a decision by the Murray Darling Basin Commission to investigate the removal of so-called alien species, including trout, had the potential to cause job losses in rural and regional Victoria.

“The recreational trout fishing industry is estimated to be worth up to $300 million per year to the Victorian economy and many of those benefits are in country Victoria,” Mr Hall said.

“Melbourne Labor Ministers have an appalling track record in natural resource management where they have consistently sacrificed country jobs for political correctness and green votes in the city.

“Cuts to the timber industry; the ban on cattle grazing in the high country; and the push towards a new National Park on the Murray River are all examples where Melbourne Labor has forced job losses upon country towns.

“The trout fishing industry is a critical component of the tourism sector in the north-east and Gippsland and the government should completely rule out any plans to poison this highly sought after fish.”

Mr Hall said recreational anglers and the four-wheel-drive fraternity played an important role in managing the state’s public land.

“The 4WD clubs and fishing groups are actively involved in protecting and enhancing many parts of the public land reserve in Victoria,” Mr Hall said.

“Many of these groups contribute a great deal to country Victoria, both in terms of the money they spend in our towns and the effort they put in on the ground to improve the environment.

“The Nationals believe in active management of natural resources and although trout were an introduced species, they are not an environmental menace like European carp, and they should not be poisoned in the future.”

Mr Hall said The Nationals were supportive of the Government’s trout re-stocking programs to improve recreational fishing opportunities.

“The opportunity to camp by a river and catch a trout is something that we should not give up easily and I urge the State Government to oppose any proposal to poison trout in Victorian streams,” Mr Hall said.

BUILDING AND OTHER GUIDES FOR CONSUMERS

BUILDING AND OTHER GUIDES FOR CONSUMERS

A useful guide to help those thinking of building or renovating is now available through Eastern Victoria MP, Peter Hall’s office.

Those interested are encouraged to contact Mr Hall’s office on 51747066 or make direct contact with Consumer Affairs at the cost of a local call on 1300 557559.

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

Mr Hall 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,” Mr Hall 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.”

Mr Hall added that Consumer Affairs has an office in Morwell and also has a local call charge telephone number 1300 73 70 30.

“If people would like further information, they can also contact my office,” he said.

INVEST MORE IN LAKES HEALTH: NATS

Thursday, January 10, 2008

The State Government has been accused of under-investing in programs to improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes and catchment.

The Nationals Upper House Member for Eastern Region Peter Hall said the Brumby Government had cut funding for the nutrient reduction program from $3.2 million per year to just $2 million per year.

“The formation of the Gippsland Lakes and Catchment Taskforce in 2001 led to the establishment of a target of reducing the amount of nutrients entering the system by 40% by the year 2022,” Mr Hall said.

“However, I don’t believe that the research and the good work of local agencies is being backed up with adequate resources from Melbourne.

“While it would be unfair to blame the State Government for the current algal bloom, there is no question that Melbourne Labor is under-investing in the environmental health of the Gippsland Lakes and catchment.”

Mr Hall said the environmental issues facing the Gippsland Lakes and catchment had been highlighted by the CSIRO and Gippsland Coastal Board.

“In comparison to the size of the catchment area, the Lakes themselves are relatively small and the rivers flowing into the system carry nutrients from a variety of sources,” Mr Hall said.

“Working with the community to reduce the amount of nutrients entering the system was regarded as a critical issue by CSIRO and it is difficult to understand why the State Government has cut funding for this initiative.

“In a budget of more than $30 billion a year, it is a failure of public policy to be providing just $2 million per year for the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce’s work on nutrient reduction.

“The environment of the Gippsland Lakes is vital to the social and economic life of our region and there needs to be a long-term commitment to restoring the system to better health.

“In the lead up to this year’s state budget, I will continue to pressure the State Government to make a more meaningful contribution to the improved management of our natural assets.”