Media Releases

Water Minister Peter Walsh has announced the reappointment of Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) chairman Llew Vale for another two years.
Mr Walsh said while Mr Vale’s term as chair did not expire until September this year, the decision was made early to provide continuity and certainty during the critical period of integrating the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP) into GMW as well as the development of GMW’s Water Plan 3.
“Since first being appointed as chair in February 2011, Llew Vale has addressed concerns about the governance and financial sustainability of GMW and has provided confidence to its customers, stakeholders and regional communities within GMW’s footprint,” Mr Walsh said.
“Llew is well respected in the water industry and I am confident he will continue to lead GMW out of its previous position and re-establish GMW as a regional water authority that is responsive to its customers’ needs.”
Mr Vale has been a primary producer in Toora for 35 years and was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2002 for services to the water industry and community. His term as GMW chairman will run until 31 August 2014.

It is not too late to register for the Premier’s Active Families Challenge says Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh.
“The Challenge, which began on March 19, continues through until April 30, and is a key component of the Victorian Government’s commitment to getting more people, more active, more often,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is a family focused initiative encouraging all Victorians to do 30 minutes of physical activity per day for 30 days.”
This is a great way of engaging with the local community, especially families with school-aged children with around 67,000 Victorians participated in the last Challenge.
Participation is free and registration provides access to fantastic offers from Challenge partners and an opportunity to go into the draw for fantastic prizes.
There is also a rewards program for schools.
One of the best ways of getting more active is reducing inactive leisure time by limiting television viewing time, cutting down on video games and reducing the time spent surfing the net.
Getting the right nutrition will complement your physical activity.
Further information is available from www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/challenge

Warracknabeal Racing Club has benefited from an early Easter gift from the Coalition Government with the announcement of $10,000 to upgrade the race track’s irrigation system.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, and Minister for Racing, Denis Napthine, said the Government and Racing Victoria would make a joint investment of $10,000 to purchase a new towline helping to make sure the track was well watered and safe for racing.
“This is great news in the lead up to one of the Club’s biggest days, the Easter Saturday race meeting,” Mr Walsh said.
“The new towline will assist in the management of the racecourse irrigation procedures ensuring the safety of both horses and jockeys by helping to prepare a safe and even racing surface.
“Until now the Club has had to borrow its third towline from Donald Racecourse.
“The Coalition Government is pleased to work with Racing Victoria to ensure that Warracknabeal Racing Club has the quality equipment it needs to keep the track in top notch condition,” Mr Walsh said.
Warracknabeal Racing Club President, Lance Huebner, said the Club was grateful to be allocated funds for the purchase of a much needed new towline.
“Our old one is very worn and requires constant maintenance and is a threat to the preparation of an even racing surface,” Mr Huebner said.
“The new towline also will ensure our pumps are utilized to their maximum capacity and make irrigation safer with less chance of a malfunction through leaks especially close to a race meeting.”
Warracknabeal will hold another two race meetings this season, with its busiest day being Easter Saturday and the Warracknabeal Cup to be held on Sunday, 8 July.
Dr Napthine said the funding for the towline followed a recent joint government-industry investment of $84,800 to install state-of-the-art plastic running rails at Warracknabeal.
“It is critical we support the racing industry which has an annual economic benefit of more than $2 billion industry to Victoria and supports 70,000 jobs, the majority of which are in country Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.

Hunters from throughout the Swan Hill electorate are reaping the benefits of the Victorian Government’s fox and wild dog bounty, which has easily outdone the former Labor government’s Fox Stop program.
The Coalition’s $4 million bounty has already seen 27,824 fox scalps and wild dog skins handed in across Victoria, compared to just 20,034 foxes killed over the life of Fox Stop.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said 5393 fox scalps had been collected in the Swan Hill electorate alone, which includes 3239 at the Swan Hill Collection Centre and 2858 in St Arnaud, since the bounty began in October last year.
“These figures demonstrate the massive numbers of foxes that are infesting our farmland,” Mr Walsh said.
“Not surprisingly, the response to the Coalition’s decision to reinstate a true and proper fox and wild dog bounty has been overwhelming.
“With total collections across Victoria are nearing 30,000, it speaks volumes about how badly this bounty was needed.”
Mr Walsh said Labor had all but ignored the pleas of farmers and landholders who were fighting a losing battle against rising fox and wild dog numbers.
“The bounty is not a total solution, but it’s playing an important part in our efforts to reduce the impact of foxes and wild dogs on our food and fibre producers,” he said.
“Not surprisingly I have received extremely positive feedback from local hunters who had been calling for an end to the previous ad hoc and inconsistent fox control programs.”
“We are delivering on our key election commitment to reinstate a true fox and wild dog bounty by offering Victorian farmers and hunters $10 for each fox and $50 for each wild dog,” Mr Walsh said.
For opening times and full details of the terms and conditions for the fox and wild dog bounty, go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au/bounty or contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

The Victorian Government is supporting economic and tourism development in the Buloke Shire with funding of $75,000.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announced today that the Buloke Shire Council has received the funding to employ an Economic Development and Tourism Officer to work with the Charlton business community and the wider Buloke region for the next two years.
“This funding will greatly assist the Council to deliver economic development outcomes in Charlton and other areas throughout the Shire,” Mr Walsh said.
“This Economic Development and Tourism Officer will implement a range of strategies to address economic issues that have arisen since the floods in Charlton and other similarly affected Buloke Shire townships.
“These flood events have significantly impacted on Buloke Shire Council resources, and having a dedicated resource working within the townships will enable the council to implement a range of strategies and projects that will enhance recovery and long term sustainability,” he said.
The Economic Development and Tourism Officer will be critical in driving projects and activities that are all linked to enhancing the business communities’ ability to respond to disaster recovery and future business development initiatives.
“Strengthening the existing business base and encouraging and supporting business investment will enable the region to build overall confidence and increase the viability of businesses.
“By engaging with business the Economic Development and Tourism Officer will also help address underlying skills gaps.
“The project will also empower businesses to take control of their future and apply the level of commitment and planning required to adapt to change and take advantage of new opportunities,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said Victorian Government funding for the two year appointment of the officer would be provided to Buloke Shire Council, which would provide matching funding, and will take effect almost immediately.

Wedderburn College will soon have two teachers trained in delivering Bike Education courses so they can include Bike Education into the curriculum. This reward is part of a joint Victorian Government and Bicycle Network Victoria initiative aimed at encouraging more students to be physically active by riding their bicycles or walking to school each day.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, joined students at a school assembly today, National Ride2School Day, to congratulate the school for being rewarded as part of the Ride2School Star Rewards Programme.
“I congratulate the students on being recognised for their efforts in setting a great example by using active travel to walk or ride their bikes to school. I am excited to be presenting this reward on National Ride2School Day,” Mr Walsh said.
Research shows that across Victoria the number of children walking or riding to school has dropped sharply since the 1970’s, whilst at the same time childhood obesity rates are increasing.
“Studies show that kids who are involved in sport and recreation at a young age are more likely to continue physical activity well into their adult years,” Mr Walsh said.
“I am confident the training will encourage even more students and their families in the Wedderburn area to use their bikes and pedal power, stay active, and hopefully continue bike riding as a life-long habit.”
Mr Walsh said Star Rewards signals the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to the Ride2School Programme and rewards Victorian primary and secondary schools for their leadership and initiatives aimed at encouraging riding or walking to school.
“The Victorian Government is proud to continue working with schools across the state and Bicycle Network Victoria to recognise and reward the effort of students who lead the way,” Mr Walsh said.
Ride2School Programme Manager Kelly Pearson said Wedderburn College has built an inspirational programme that was encouraging more of their students to be physically active, particularly on the journey to and from school.
“Childhood is the critical window for creating lifelong active habits and building resilience. Wedderburn College is getting its students off on the right foot by excelling in the Ride2School Programme,” Ms Pearson said.
“We are delighted to celebrate Wedderburn College’s achievements through the Ride2School Star Rewards Programme and we hope the Bike Education training will add to the already fantastic momentum underway at the school.”

Charlton College has been rewarded with five brand new bikes as part of a joint Victorian Government and Bicycle Network Victoria initiative aimed at encouraging more students to be physically active by riding their bicycles or walking to school each day.
Many children lost their bikes in the January 2011 floods and while most students had their bikes replaced through insurance and donations, there are still students without access to bikes.
Peter Walsh, Member for Swan Hill, officially rewarded the bikes to the school at an assembly today as part of the Ride2School Star Rewards Programme.
“I congratulate all the students at Charlton College on their resilience and commitment to using active travel to walk or ride their bikes to school. I am excited to be presenting this reward on National Ride2School Day,” Mr Walsh said.
Research shows that across Victoria the number of children walking or riding to school has dropped sharply since the 1970’s, whilst at the same time childhood obesity rates are increasing.
“Studies show that children who are involved in sport and recreation at a young age are more likely to continue physical activity well into their adult years,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said the Star Rewards signals the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to the Ride2School Program and rewards Victorian primary and secondary schools for their leadership and initiatives aimed at encouraging riding or walking to school.
“The Victorian Government is proud to continue working with schools across the state and Bicycle Network Victoria to recognise and reward the effort of students who lead the way,” he said.
Ride2School Program Manager Kelly Pearson said Charlton College has built an inspirational programme that was encouraging more of their students to be physically active, particularly on the journey to and from school.
“Childhood is the critical window for creating lifelong active habits and building resilience. Charlton College is getting its students off on the right foot by excelling in the Ride2School Program,” Ms Pearson said.
“We are delighted to celebrate Charlton College’s achievements through the Ride2School Star Rewards Program and we hope the new bikes will add to the already fantastic momentum underway at the school.”

Victoria’s fox hunters are reaping the benefits of the Victorian Coalition Government’s fox and wild dog bounty, with 27,821 scalps collected in less than five months.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the Coalition’s bounty had easily killed more foxes in five months than Labor’s Fox Stop program had killed in three years.
“The response to the Coalition’s decision to reinstate a true and proper fox and wild dog bounty has been overwhelming,” Mr Walsh said.
“February was the most fruitful month so far for the bounty, with 11,247 handed in at collection centres across the state.”
Mr Walsh said Labor had all but ignored the pleas of farmers and landholders who were fighting a losing battle against rising fox and wild dog numbers.
“The success of the bounty shows how desperate landholders have been for a fox control program that actually works,” Mr Walsh said.
“The bounty is not a total solution, but it’s playing an important part in our statewide efforts to reduce the impact of foxes and wild dogs on Victorian food and fibre producers.
“Not surprisingly I have received extremely positive feedback from hunters who had been calling for an end to the previous ad hoc and inconsistent fox control programs.”
The Coalition’s $4 million bounty has already seen 27,989 fox scalps and wild dog skins handed in, compared to just 20,034 foxes killed over the life of Fox Stop.
“We are delivering on our key election commitment to reinstate a true fox and wild dog bounty by offering Victorian farmers and hunters $10 for each fox and $50 for each wild dog,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said there were 21 collection centres across regional Victoria accepting entire fox scalps and eight collection centres accepting wild dog skin pieces.
For opening times and full details of the terms and conditions for the fox and wild dog bounty, go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au/bounty or contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Water Minister Peter Walsh has announced a temporary suspension of some of Victoria’s allocation trade to protect next season’s allocations to Victorian water entitlement holders.
The temporary suspension until 30 June begins immediately for trade of water allocation:
• from New South Wales to Victoria, and
• from the Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems to the Victorian River Murray system, or to interstate.
Mr Walsh said high storage levels, large volumes of unused irrigation water, Victoria’s progressive carryover rules and recent floods in the southern Murray-Darling Basin had again converged to create challenges in managing allocation trade.
“The current circumstances are very similar to those of last year when an identical suspension was put in place,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said allocation trades into the Victorian Murray increased the obligation to deliver water to users, but Victorian storages did not receive a matching secure volume of water.
“Victoria and NSW have agreed to amend accounting rules so that when there is a chance of spill from Hume Dam, water is transferred in Dartmouth,” Mr Walsh said.
“But when there is also a chance of spill from Dartmouth, Victoria cannot securely accept any more water from NSW. If allocation trade from NSW continues in this situation, the water available to Victorian irrigators in the next irrigation season may be reduced.
“Trade from the Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems will also impact on future allocations in the Victorian Murray system if trade is not temporarily suspended.
“If there is a spill from Lake Eildon in the new season, it will wipe out some or all of the water to be supplied to the Murray or interstate from the inter-valley account, which poses an unacceptable risk to Victorian Murray allocations next season.
“With Eildon at 94 per cent, it’s likely there will be one or more spill events from Lake Eildon.”
Mr Walsh said Victoria supported trade but the suspensions were necessary as it was unfair to allow trade if it was done at the expense of Victorian Murray entitlement holders.
Mr Walsh said the suspensions would apply to applications for trade allocation that were received after close of business yesterday, when the temporary suspension rules were published in the Government Gazette.
Mr Walsh said a review of carryover was currently underway, with the Carryover Review Committee reviewing various aspects of the carryover provisions and in particular the spill rule that applies on the Murray system.
“It is very important that we review these rules to ensure they provide the best policy framework for the future,” Mr Walsh said.

CFA fire stations in Berrimal, Carapooee and Glenloth East are set to be transformed into new community hubs after funding for upgrades was announced by Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today.
“These three projects have been funded under the $1.4m CFA Community Facilities Program and have been funded jointly by the CFA and Department of Planning and Community Development,” Mr Walsh said.
“Joint funding initiatives such as these enable the redevelopment of older rural fire stations into substantial facilities which are accessible to the community not only in times of emergency.
“By creating new spaces for locals to get together and hold community meetings and events we can not only revitalise these rural fire stations, but also their communities,” he said.
The three funded projects are:
• $178,800 to redevelop the Berrimal Fire Station featuring a new two bay fire station and upgrades to the meeting area for the brigade and local community.
• $180,000 to redevelop the Carapooee Fire Station featuring a new multi-purpose usable meeting area for the community.
• $178,800 to redevelop the Glenloth East Fire Station featuring a new two bay fire station and upgrades to the meeting area for the brigade and local community.
The projects are jointly funded with the DPCD contributing $85,000 to each of the projects and the balance coming from the CFA.
Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Peter Ryan, today said the projects were three of nine similar ones funded so far.
“The Victorian Government is proud to invest in revitalising CFA stations, especially in communities like Berrimal, Carapooee and Glenloth East where local community venues options are limited,” Mr Ryan said.