MP slams pipe ‘bribery’

By Melissa Meehan
MCEWEN MP Fran Bailey has slammed Melbourne Water’s $5 million regional benefits program, describing the package as “bordering on bribery”.
The $5 million package was announced by Sugarloaf pipeline project director Rod Clifford on Wednesday 16 April.
He said the package would deliver financial contributions to land owners affected by the Sugarloaf pipeline and be separate from the compensation process.
“The $5 million grants program is the centrepiece of the regional benefits package that will provide local government, community groups and other regional organisations with the opportunity to apply for grants of between $2000 and $500,000,” Mr Clifford said.
“The grants program will provide support for projects, events and other initiatives with genuine regional benefits, including infrastructure, land and environmental management, community facilities and beneficial community development designed to enhance opportunities within the region and generate economic and community growth.”
He said that projects that create long-term social benefits would be of particular interest.
While many unhappy landowners affected by the pipeline will welcome compensation, the announcement has come under fierce scrutiny.
Ms Bailey said the package was under funded and did not consider the stress that families in the community were facing.
“Our communities have fought long and hard against this pipeline and now they have been told that they can access the new regional benefits package if they agree to participating in activities that will promote the building of the north-south pipeline,” Ms Bailey said.
In a draft version of the package released to the public on the final day of the public hearing, paper 2.12 indicates that financial support provided by the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance, headed by Melbourne Water and the Victorian Government, would be acknowledged through means such as advertising, promotion and any media publicity associated with the project.
This will mean that individuals and groups who receive a financial contribution from the alliance will be required to make a presentation to the Regional Benefits Program Advisory Committee or participate in promotional activities during or on completion of the project, event or activity.
Ms Bailey said that the fact that the regional benefits package was hastily put together and copies handed out on the final day of the pipeline hearing further demonstrated the lack of organisation, thought, planning and consultation on the project.
“Now you don’t have to be Einstein for the word bribery to immediately spring to mind,” Ms Bailey said.
She said it was time for the State Government, Melbourne Water and the Pipeline Alliance to take her community seriously.
“We will not be fobbed off with petty bribes,” Ms Bailey said.