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MP’s lobby for funds to secure critical water for households and stock in Lower Lachlan region
01-December-2009
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
MP’s lobby for funds to secure critical water for households and stock in Lower Lachlan region
An urgent request for emergency funding for more than 200 farms which rely on the Lower Lachlan for both domestic and stock water has been made to Federal Ministers, Penny Wong, Tony Burke and Parliamentary Secretary for Water, Mike Kelly.
The bid for a grant of about $50,000 follows the precedent set by the Federal Government who has provided emergency aid in other regions which have been severely affected by the drought and by the consequent diminishing flows in the Murray-Darling and Murrumbidgee River systems.
Releasing a copy of the letter to the Ministers today the Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, said she was pleased to have gained the support of both the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr John Cobb, and the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources and Conservation, Mr Mark Coulton - whom were joint signatories to the letter.
“The bid to conserve water in the Lachlan above Condobolin due to the severe drought conditions will stop or severely restrict flows for those farms and households below the township”, she said.
“While dramatically low water levels in the Wyangala Dam have caused the problem those facing an extended drought and a long, hot summer need Government assistance to cope with what is now a critical situation on the lower section of the Lachlan River.
“It is untenable that farmers from the Lower Lachlan are sacrificing their supply for farms upstream and yet they are being offered no assistance by any Government which will ensure they have access to water.
“Given that summer is already upon us, I urge the Ministers to fast track this request for the benefit of those farms and families facing the uncertainty of a water crisis over the coming months”, Ms Ley said.
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Media contact: Debbie Brown (02) 60213264 0428 297 699