Greater Shepparton City Council took the pressing issues of the region to Parliament on Thursday last week, with several important meetings held to discuss the effects the Federal Government’s proposed water bill would have on the region.
Mayor Cr Shane Sali, Cr Geoff Dobson, and local dairy farmer and water advocate Natalie Akers, made the trip to Canberra to ensure the voices of the region were heard.
The Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023, which was recently introduced to Parliament, would see legislative changes made to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan which would have devastating impacts on the food bowl of Australia – Greater Shepparton.
“It was important for us to take our message to Canberra to ensure the Government was aware how serious this proposed water bill is for regional communities like ours,” Mayor, Cr Shane Sali said.
Cr Sali said the delegation wanted to ensure the flow on effects from a proposal like this were clearly understood, with this being the main topic of discussion during their meetings.
“We are committed to working with the Government on a solution and a better outcome for communities. This proposed water bill is not the solution for anyone – not for food production, not for the environment and not for the sustainability of communities – and more work needs to be done.”
“The trip to Canberra on Thursday was just the beginning and we will be doing everything we can to address this and ensure we protect our region’s water and the important role it plays across the nation.”
