Media Release: NEW POLLUTION STRIKEFORCE FOR YARRA RIVER

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

DATE: Sunday, July 9, 2006

NEW POLLUTION STRIKEFORCE FOR YARRA RIVER

Acting Premier and Environment Minister John Thwaites today announced $4.5 million in funding for a pollution strikeforce to patrol the Yarra River.

“This funding will provide for additional staff and a dedicated boat to pinpoint pollution sources,” Mr Thwaites said.

“The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) team will analyse water quality, enforce pollution regulation and penalties and educate the community about keeping the Yarra healthy.

“The team will complement other EPA initiatives such as the inspection of commercial boats operating on the river, blitzes of industry in Yarra catchments to ensure appropriate stormwater management and the initial identification of stormwater ‘hot spots’.”

The Yarra strikeforce is one of a wide range of initiatives to be announced in an important Environmental Sustainability Action Statement to be released by the Government in coming weeks.

Mr Thwaites said the strikeforce would operate in addition to Yarra Watch Monitoring – which provides regular public information on water quality - and the Hotspots program.

“As we announced in January as part of the Yarra Action Plan, the Hotspots programs is already identifying and eliminating pollution associated with stormwater drains and sewers,” he said.

“As part of the Yarra Action Plan announced in January, $20 million is being spent on stormwater pollution, particularly in the lower Yarra.”

The stormwater funding is part of $580 million in funding already announced to help improve the Yarra River and includes initiatives to reduce stormwater pollution, install reticulated sewerage, reduce litter and increase community involvement in River works. This Strikeforce funding announced today builds on this commitment.

Member for Prahran, Tony Lupton, said the Government had also this year announced an additional 20 billion litres per year in environmental flows for the Yarra River.

“The Bracks Government has a comprehensive plan and funding commitment to improving the health of our iconic River,” Mr Lupton said.

Previously announced initiatives include.

· $20 million to tackle stormwater pollution, including $10 million for the lower Yarra. Projects will include wetlands, litter traps, filters and flow controllers.

· Approximately $250 million over 20 years to accelerate the replacement of around 18,500 septic tanks with a reticulated sewerage system in rural areas and outer suburbs;
· A Yarra Riverkeeper boat to promote river-based community education and awareness programs;
· Approximately $300 million over six years for the Northern Sewerage Program to minimise local pollution in two key Yarra tributaries;
· $930,000 over three years to track down and rectify key sources of faecal pollution from sources including blocked sewers and illegal connections between the stormwater and sewerage system;
· $1 million to develop a Regional Water Quality Improvement Plan for Port Phillip and Westernport catchments; and
· $3.8 million over three years for community groups and education programs to encourage community support and involvement in caring for the Yarra catchment and $4.3 million to reduce litter before and after the Commonwealth Games.