Sharman Stone MP

Where Oh Where is the Ombudsman's Report

October 12, 2011

Where Oh Where is the Ombudsman's Report
into Water Management in Victoria?
In February this year, under the direction of the Victorian Government, the Ombudsman began an inquiry into the Food Bowl Modernisation project.
Federal Member for Murray, Dr Sharman Stone said “Unfortunately there was a lack of transparency in relation to the plan and objectives of the Food bowl Modernisation. Business consultation has been extremely poor with most irrigators having to guess what the Brumby Government’s short and long term plans were for northern Victorian irrigation.”
“There are simply too many unanswered questions remaining from the previous Labor Government. Too much money has been lost and too many irrigators have been frustrated.” Sharman Stone said
“The current uncertainty within the organisations and the wider community only leads to rumour and innuendo. We need the Ombudsman’s inquiry to be completed and clear directions set for the future of Goulburn Murray Water and the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project.
“We need to know what the second stage of food bowl modernisation is all about, and we need to learn from the mistakes of stage one.
“We must be confident that the irrigation community's interests are being put first and that we have solid plans for a viable irrigation industry so we can continue to produce food and fibre for the nation for many generations to come.,” Sharman Stone said.
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