Media Releases

The Brumby Government must conduct an urgent audit of Victoria’s rolling stock to ensure this year’s grain harvest reaches port, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said today.

Mr Walsh said grain growers were concerned they would be unable to fully capitalise on the bumper crop expected this season due to a lack of rolling stock.

“There is something wrong when Victoria’s grain growers are concerned that Victoria no longer has the rail rolling stock needed to transport a normal harvest,” Mr Walsh said.

“Prolonged drought in Victoria has caused rail freight operators to transfer some of Victoria’s grain trains interstate and have them converted to standard gauge, meaning they are not readily available to come back to Victoria.

“I have been advised Pacific National will run just four trains this year, instead of the seven to nine trains that transported Victoria’s harvest in good seasons.

“Another two trains could be available as a result of the Australian Wheat Board’s contract with El Zorro, but this will not be enough to meet requirements.

“With this year’s crop shaping up to be one of the best in years, it would be a tragedy for growers if they couldn’t capitalise on it because there wasn’t enough rolling stock to get grain to port for export.”

Mr Walsh said the Brumby Government needed to sit down immediately with rail freight operators to ensure Victoria had enough trains to cope with the harvest.

“If there aren’t enough train sets to move this year’s harvest, growers will face delays and extra costs in getting the grain to port,” Mr Walsh said.

”The harvest will need to be transported by road, adding extra strain to freight routes which are already in poor condition.

“Victoria’s incompetent Transport Minister Lynne Kosky claims she expects most of this year’s harvest to be transported by rail, yet has not assured growers that the rail freight system has the capacity to transport the harvest.

“With the harvest starting only weeks away, the Brumby Government is running out of time to ensure there are enough trains available,” Mr Walsh said.

Media: Peter Walsh 0428 507 541

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is reminding residents and organisations in the electorate of the Smart Water Fund Grants that are now available.

“These grants are for innovative water saving projects with preference given to sustainable projects that involve or assist the broader community and that demonstrate efficient and effective water use,” Mr Walsh said.

“Funds available for projects range between $10,000 to $100,000 although this is just a guide.

“Applications for funding must demonstrate thorough planning and a commitment to meet the requirements of the Smart Water Fund Guidelines,” he said.

“This is an excellent opportunity for individuals and community groups to access funds that assist in drought proofing our region.

“Guidelines and application forms are available by ringing the Smart Water Fund hotline on 1800 882 432, visiting their website www.smartwater.com.au or by contacting my office on 5032 3154 or calling in at 274 Campbell St Swan Hill,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is inviting sporting groups in the Swan Hill electorate to apply to the 2009/10 VicHealth Active Club Grants.

“VicHealth will provide grants of up to $2,500 to clubs and organisations to purchase essential sporting equipment, injury prevention equipment, portable shade and volunteer training,” Mr Walsh said.

“Playing sport is a healthy thing to do and these grants aim to make it easier for clubs to fund items or activities that help them to improve safety and to reach out to new participants.

“Each year the VicHealth Active Club Grants assist Victorians of all ages to become active and this is increasingly important as we see a lack of physical activity in the growing numbers of Australians with chronic diseases and other health problems,” he said.

“Research has shown that sport and shared recreation activities are often a means for building community pride and loyalty and the development of personal self worth.

“Research has also shown that a lack of equipment is a major barrier to participation in physical activity particularly by the most disadvantaged members of our community.

“The VicHealth Active Club Grants support sporting and recreational organisations to remove these barriers to participation,” Mr Walsh said.

Recipients of 2008/09 Active Club Grants in the Swan Hill electorate included the 1st Barham Scouts, Charlton Badminton Club, Kerang Rovers Appin Football/Netball Club, Manangatang Tennis Club, North Central Netball Association, Nyah Two Bays Swan Hill Swimming Club, Quambatook Netball Club, Rich Avon Services Cricket Club, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Club, Sea Lake Tiger Sharks Swimming Club, Swan Hill & District Campdraft Club, Swan Hill Junior Soccer League, Swan Hill Little Athletics and the Swan Hill Pony Club,.

“Participating in an active lifestyle is a healthy thing to do and the Active Club Grants Program is good news for our sporting and recreation organisations and provides an opportunity to improve physical activity and increase the health and wellbeing of participants,” Mr Walsh said.

Eligible sport and recreation organisations are invited to apply for grants on line through VicHealth’s website at www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub. Applications close Friday December 4.

The Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is encouraging multicultural organisations within the electorate to apply for funding under the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Community Grants Program for 2010.

The program, which offers grants of up to $20,000, aims to support Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities and to develop and sustain local community organisations and programs.

“The Swan Hill Electorate has a large and growing ethnic population which is making a significant contribution to the development of this region,” Mr Walsh said.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our local organisations to gain access to funding to support programs throughout the community,” he said.

Grants can be sought under a range of different categories including:

• Organisational support grants of up to $5000;
• Strengthening multicultural communities grants of up to $20,000;
• Buildings and facilities improvement grants of up to $15,000;
• Various educational programs grants ranging between $2000 and $20,000
• Promoting harmony grants of up to $10,000

Applications close at 4pm Friday, December 18 2009 and successful grant recipients will be notified by the end of June 2010.

“I encourage local organisations to study the guidelines for the major grant categories and consider making an application for funding, Mr Walsh said.

“These guidelines and application forms are available from my electorate office at 274 Campbell St, Swan Hill phone 5032 3154 or from www.multicultural.vic.gov.au”.