A.C.F ABOUT FACE ON CONTROVERSIAL WATER PIPELINE

Eco group backs Brumby on pipeline water rights

Peter Ker
September 8, 2009 - 12:00AM

THE environment would be better served if new water-sharing rules affecting the north-south pipeline were approved, according to long-time opponents of the project.

In a rare boost for the Brumby Government over the controversial pipeline, Australian Conservation Foundation spokeswoman Arlene Buchan denounced last month's disallowance of the pipe's water rights in the Victorian Parliament.

With the 70-kilometre pipeline now built, Dr Buchan urged opposition parties to ensure the success of the Government's second attempt at issuing a water entitlement.

''The decision that was made last time to disallow the division of water between irrigators and the environment was ridiculous,'' she said. ''It was a bad outcome for the environment, it was a bad outcome for irrigators.

''The ACF thinks the pipeline project was ridiculous in the first place but given it is now … in place, it is essential that all water savings can be divided and the environment's share is securely protected.''

Opposition parties combined in the upper house last month to disallow the pipe's water entitlement, which would have allowed the pipe to take a third of water saved in the Goulburn Murray district to Melbourne after 2011. The disallowance meant water in the district would continue to be divided under previous rules, which give rivers less water for environmental flows.

Greens MPs voted to disallow the entitlement because the Government had not assured them certain wetlands in northern Victoria would be protected under the new arrangements.

Dr Buchan said the Greens had grounds for concern, but those concerns could have been alleviated if better communication had existed between the Government and the Greens.

She urged the two parties to communicate better to ensure the second attempt to issue a water entitlement was passed.

The Brumby Government formalised its second attempt last week, and opposition parties have the opportunity to launch another disallowance motion when Parliament resumes next week.

Liberal and National party MPs in the upper house are expected to do so, meaning the Greens are again likely to have the deciding vote on the issue.

Since the first disallowance, Greens MPs have been in talks with the Government and the Department of Sustainability and Environment to try to resolve differences.

Greens MP Greg Barber said his concerns had not been fully assuaged, but he would continue to liaise with the Government.

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/eco-group-backs-brumby-on-pipeline-water-rights-20090907-fedz.html