This morning Mitcham residents take their concerns about the degraded state of Victoria’s forests and rivers to their local member of Parliament, Tony Robinson.
The state government’s own Monthly Streamflow Maps show that the majority of Victoria’s rivers consistently have half the water in them they normally would at this time of year, with the other half having less that ten percent of water compared to long-term averages.
And logging and woodchipping in native forests costs water. Science shows that older, intact forests means more water flows into streams, whereas logged, young forests are thirsty.
“We’re here to show our frustration over the state government’s lack of real action to secure a safe water future,” says local Mitcham district resident, John Bennett. “We think Tony’s being a bit of a drip, really.”
Today locals will showcase a giant, blue water drop with Tony Robinson’s face and the slogan ‘Don’t be a drip, Tony’ on it.
“Building expensive desal plants and asking us to keep on saving water shows that the Brumby government does not have a credible water plan”, continues John Bennett. “We’d like to see the state government take real action to save water by protecting our forests from woodchipping, and by ensuring our rivers have enough water left in them to keep providing clean drinking water for us all.”
“Mitcham residents are asking for a better deal – they want their water-saving efforts reflected in state government policies for rivers and forests. Minister Robinson should urgently convey this community expectation to his government”, says Amelia Young, Healthy Rivers Campaigner for Environment Victoria.
“Minister Robinson’s refusal to meet with environment groups has exasperated locals who are voicing their concerns about Victorian rivers’ very low flows and the continuation of woodchipping of Victoria’s native forests, our natural water catchments”, says Wilderness Society Community Campaigner, Trier Murphy.
“For a decade now, this state government has left healthy rivers and forest protection at the bottom of their agenda. But 2010 is an election year: there has never been a better time for locals to call for a credible water plan that protects our forests and rivers”, concludes Mitcham constituent, John Bennett.
Check out photos of this event
For comment
Amelia Young 0404 074 577
The Monthy Streamflow Map for June 2010 can be accessed at http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/monitoring/monthly/streamflows/streamflow… ” target=”_blank”>http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/monitoring/monthly/streamflows/streamflows_map