It was time Bendigo and the State Government stopped dragging the chain on local stormwater harvesting, Nationals MP for Northern Victoria Region, Damian Drum, said today.
He said the City of Greater Bendigo and Coliban Water must start pushing the case for stormwater harvest funding to the State and Federal Governments, in the light of developments in Ballarat in the past month.
“I put together one Bendigo stormwater concept about three years ago and was crudely rejected by the Labor State Government which scoffed at the idea.
“But it seems from today’s news that the Government is just a bit more interested in funding stormwater harvesting projects in Ballarat – so maybe Water Minister Tim Holding has had a change of heart.”
The City of Ballarat and the Committee of Ballarat announced today that they had been in detailed discussions with Mr Holding and Regional Development Victoria over a $8 - $10 million plan to harvest water from at least five points around the city and divert it to Lake Wendouree for storage and treatment.
“It’s a very logical and sound idea,” Mr Drum said. “Just as it would be for Bendigo.”
Mr Drum said he wished Ballarat good luck in getting support from the State Government, which so far had ignored the issue in Bendigo and Melbourne.
“I am particularly, but pleasantly surprised to see that Ballarat has been talking with Regional Development Victoria, which comes under the Rural and Regional Development portfolio of Bendigo East Labor MP Jacinta Allan.
“Ms Allan has shown no enthusiasm for stormwater harvesting in her own electorate.”
Mr Drum said the Brumby State Government was under constant attack for its expensive and ill-considered water projects, such as the North-South Pipeline and the desalination plant, but refused to embrace logical, cost-effective projects to use our water more efficiently.
“As our modern cities grow, they produce more and more run-off from streets, footpaths and parking lots, but we send this ‘windfall’ water rushing down our drains and gutters, rather than capturing it and using it more wisely.
“I seriously urge the City of Greater Bendigo and Coliban Water to take a leaf out of Ballarat’s book and demand more efficient use of the water which falls on the city.”
Media inquiries: Damian Drum (03) 5443 6277
