Mallacoota and Snowy River betrayed: Greens

Greens candidate for Gippsland East, Jill Redwood, said that the Greens is the only party which has onsistently and actively supported the return of flows to the Snowy River. It is also the sole voice in Parliament that has spoken out for the low impact community plan to upgrade and protect Bastion Point.

“Sadly, the saga of the Snowy River highlights the Labor government’s contempt for the far flung voters of this electorate. This government has dishonored its own promises and its own law. We have seen a major betrayal on the Snowy,” said Jill Redwood. “The river is as parched as when our politicians promised to rescue it 10 years ago.”

“Last year we should have seen 15% of its natural flows returned and next year 21%. Just recently our political representatives celebrated a piddling 6% as a great achievement. It’s too grim to even laugh about”, said Ms Redwood. “Do irrigators across the range and the Snowy Hydro Corporation have more weight in the 'balancing act’ than East Gippsland or adhering to written laws?”

“The other 10 year battle has been for Mallacoota’s beautiful Bastion Point. Despite the majority of locals wanting a more sensitive and cost effective plan to upgrade the boat ramp, the $6.5 million industrial scale earthworks is supported by Mr Ingram and the Labor party. Although part of the Wilderness Coast, they want a breakwall, large scale clearing, roading and ongoing dredging.”

“The industrial upgrade would destroy a stunningly beautiful coastline”, said Ms Redwood. “Even the Supreme Court Judge commented during the legal challenge that the plan was overkill.”

"Minister Madden and Mr Ingram are both ignoring the advice of the Government’s independent expert panel. It tendered a 200 page report recommending that the proposal be abandoned due to the high risk of boats exiting and entering broadside to the waves, and the break-wall would inhibit visibility."

“The community’s low impact, engineer-endorsed plan is less than one-fifth the cost of the current plan. The Greens in Parliament supported this as it improves ocean access, upgrades the boat ramp, provides safety for all and maintains the beauty of Bastion Point."

“We need political representatives who are for the local community.”

For comment: Jill Redwood 5154 0145
Further information: Samantha Dunn 0429 29 29 04 or samantha.dunn@vic.greens.org.au