Sunday, September 05, 2010
   
Text Size

Search ingapeulich.org

Call For Submissions To Parliamentary Inquiry Into Labor

News - Media Releases

Residents throughout Melbourne's south-east have less than a month to make submissions to a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Brumby Government’s major water projects in Victoria.

The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition, with the support of minor parties, successfully fought members of the Brumby Government in the Upper House to establish the inquiry.

Inga Peulich, State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region said the inquiry would investigate many unresolved areas of concern.

The Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, which will conduct the inquiry, resolved:

To inquire into and report on the estimated benefits and costs arising from the Wonthaggi desalination plant, the north-south pipeline, and the modernisation of irrigation infrastructure.

“This public inquiry will provide an opportunity for Frankston consumers to have their say on these water projects in an open and transparent hearing,” Ms Peulich said.

“Households across the state will be directly affected by these water projects, but the Brumby Government has continually dismissed community concerns.”

“This government is now in its ninth year and our state still has a water crisis,” Ms Peulich said.

“The incompetence of the State Labor Government and its failure to plan for future water needs has already led to significantly increased household water prices to pay for their mismanagement – something the local Labor MPs should be truly ashamed of.”

The inquiry will examine areas of concern specific to the Frankston region, including the following:

  • Since 1999, Labor has taken $2.8 billion in taxes, levies and dividend payments from Victorian water companies, yet households will now be burdened with the doubling of water bills;
  • The planned location for the desalination plant, which is next to an ecologically sensitive sand dune environment, is subject to flooding; and
  • There are concerns over the annual volume of water that would eventually be available for Melbourne from the north-south pipeline.

    The inquiry will gather evidence from open hearings across the state from the public, and a range of experts, and will have the authority to question Members of Parliament, Ministers and departmental staff. Hearings are expected to begin early next year.

    For more information please contact Inga Peulich’s office on 9772 1366.
  • Statistics

    Content View Hits : 578648

    Your Views Count