Pipeline blocked

By Melissa Meehan
VICTORIA’S local councils have told the Brumby Government clearly and strongly what the people of the state think of the proposed North-South Pipeline.
Shadow Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), representing all 79 councils in the state, has voted overwhelmingly against the pipeline.
At its State Council on Thursday 8 May, 54 of the 79 councils supported a motion calling on the state to re-think the pipeline, which the government calls the Sugarloaf Interconnector.
The motion said there were three major flaws in the government’s plans including inadequate consultation before the decision was made, no environmental effects statement (EES) was conducted and there was an unsatisfactory audit of the proposed water savings that form the basis of justification of the project.
The motion was proposed by Murrindindi Shire Council because of significant community concerns, and it was supported by 70 per cent of delegates.
“This confirms what we in northern Victoria have known for some time, this project does not have the backing of regional Victoria, and now, based on the MAV vote, I believe it does not have the backing of most Victorians regardless of whether they come from the regions or Melbourne,” Mrs Powell said.
“If John Brumby pushes on with this stupid plan to take water out of a parched northern catchment and pipe it to Melbourne, he will be acting against the wishes of most Victorians.”
An anti-pipeline group Plug the Pipe will hold a protest at Parliament House on 3 June at midday.