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.”