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.