FROM THE MINISTER FOR WATER

DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 2003


VICTORIANS ASKED TO HELP SECURE OUR WATER FUTURE

The Minister for Water, John Thwaites, has asked all Victorians to join in a discussion on the State’s water resources, inviting them to attend a series of public meetings on the Government’s Green Paper - Securing Our Water Future.

Mr Thwaites said the meetings would give Victorians an opportunity to help shape Government policy on a vital issue.

“Conserving our precious water resource to ensure a sustainable future is a challenge for all Victorians,” Mr Thwaites said.

“I encourage everyone in the community to have their say on Victoria’s water future so we can meet the challenge.”

The Green Paper, which sets out more than 80 proposals for achieving a sustainable water future, was launched last month by the Premier, Steve Bracks, and Mr Thwaites.

The Green Paper is available for public discussion until 31 October. Eighteen public information meetings will be conducted across Victoria before then.

A White Paper on water will be released early next year and will form the basis of legislation to be introduced in the autumn session of Parliament.

“Changes proposed in the Green Paper will affect all Victorians. We all need to act now – people in Melbourne, in our country towns and on our farms all need to get involved and help come up with innovative and creative ways to help conserve our Victoria’s water resources.”

Some of the key recommendations in the Green Paper include:
· Stopping further extractions for the first time from seven of the State’s stressed rivers south of the Great
Dividing Range;
· Changing laws to enable property buyers to be informed of the water efficiency of houses and buildings;
· Changing pricing structures to reflect demand – for example, different prices for peak and off-peak periods –
and encourage water conservation and the use of recycled and greywater;
· Investigating the potential for major uses of recycled water, including new irrigation areas in Werribee,
environmental flows down the Thomson River and pumping it north of the Great Dividing Range;
· Making the water market more flexible, including the “unbundling” of water rights so that an irrigator can hold
a water entitlement without owning land, as under the present system (plus safeguards to protect against
water speculation);
· Permanent water restrictions for regional towns.

Attached is the list of forums.

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	VENUE
Friday 19/9/03	10.00am	Geelong	Costa Theatre, Deakin Waterfront Campus Cnr Gheringhap and Brougham Streets Entrance via the Gheringhap Street Door
Friday 19/9/03	2.30pm	Melton	Melton Community Hall Cnr Smith and High Streets
Tuesday 23/9/03	11.00am	Mildura	Settlers Mildura 110 – 114 Eighth Street
Thursday 25/9/03	1.00pm	Tallangatta	Tallangatta Memorial Hall Tallangatta
Friday 26/9/03	9.30am	Wangaratta	Goulburn Ovens Institute of Tafe Auditorium - Room WWD020, Building D
Friday 26/9/03	2.30pm	Euroa	To be confirmed
Monday 29/9/03	2.00pm	Shepparton	To be confirmed
Tuesday 30/9/03	2.30pm	Kerang	RSL Memorial Hall Cnr Wellington and Nolan Sts Kerang
Tuesday 7/10/03	10.00am	Bairnsdale	St Marys Hall Bairnsdale
Tuesday 7/10/03	2.00pm	Traralgon	Latrobe Convention Centre Traralgon
Monday 13/10/03	9.45am	Bendigo	All Seasons International Hotel 171-183 McIvor Hwy Bendigo
Monday 13/10/03	2.30pm	Ballarat	Prince Regent Room Ballarat Lodge 613 Main St Ballarat
Wednesday 15/10/03	10.00am	Leongatha	Leongatha RSL Function Room Cnr Michael Pl and Smith St Leongatha
Wednesday 15/10/03	2.00pm	Pakenham	To be confirmed
Monday 20/10/03	1.30pm	Warrnambool	To be confirmed
Tuesday 21/10/03	10.00am	Horsham	Horsham Golf Club Golf Course Road Horsham

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