Tim McCurdy – Northern Victorian communities under threat call for more time
Wednesday 5 June 2024
Basin communities across northern Victoria are urgently calling for more time to submit feedback on the Allan Labor Government’s ‘Planning Our Basin Future Together’ prospectus.
Farmers and irrigators have been given until June 16 to provide feedback and engage in community discussion, placing an unrealistic deadline on impacted communities to provide a comprehensive response to the Government.
It leaves communities vulnerable to the devastating effects of open-tender buybacks.
Shadow Minister for Water, Tim McCurdy, called on the Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, to extend the deadline and give more farmers a chance to have their voices heard.
“This is a complex issue, and if we rush it, will have disastrous results, leaving basin communities devastated once again,” Mr McCurdy said.
“Frankly, one month is an almost impossible timeframe for our hardworking farmers to put in their feedback.
“The Minister must extend this deadline until mid-July and give our basin communities a chance to have their voices heard.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage water and Northern Victorian communities are paying the price.”