Premier Brumby and Water Minister Holding have shown total disregard for rural Victorians and the Goulburn-Murray environment by insisting on taking 10 Billion litres of the Water Quality Reserve to Melbourne, via the North-South Pipeline, where it will be used for the luxury of watering gardens. There are absolutely no restrictions on water usage in Melbourne households.
Meanwhile, Reedy Swamp, near Shepparton currently has a blue-green algae bloom, which will probably worsen and poses a serious threat to downstream rural communities, including Echuca, whose economy heavily relies on tourism at this time of year.
The 30 Gigalitre Water Quality Reserve is super high security water kept in Eildon Weir to flush our rivers at such times to maintain their environmental health. Minister Holding intends to take 10GL of
this Reserve in 2010 and 10GL in 2011, so that Melbourne can have water freely flowing for garden usage.
Water contaminated by blue-green algae is highly toxic, poisonous to humans, stock and wildlife, cannot be drunk and if the water is boiled it becomes more toxic.
Flushing the rivers with the Water Quality Reserve is the only way to overcome the algae, apart from waiting for a long period of time till sufficient rainfall occurs to dissipate it.
Goulburn Murray Water has forecast that Eildon Weir will drop to 16% capacity by Anzac Day and the Delatite branch of Eildon Weir may experience blue-green algae as the still, non-flowing waters become
more shallow and temperatures hotter, causing conditions to become more conducive to the toxic blooms.
Contrary to Government predictions, the so-called “water savings” from irrigation modernisation have failed to eventuate, so the only water that can be found to send to Melbourne is all water that was
intended for environmental flows in our northern rivers.
The Victorian Government is determined to have abundant water flowing to Melbourne in this election year, even if it means sacrificing rural Victorians water supply. The Goulburn and Murray Rivers are the only
source of stock and domestic water for many Victorians.
Jan Beer Plug The Pipe Spokesperson
Mob: 0407 144 777
http://www.plugthepipe.com
