Vic: VFF hopes to reach agreement on water plan this week

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2007
Vic: VFF hopes to reach agreement on water plan this week

MELBOURNE, April 30 AAP - The Victorian Farmers' Federation (VFF) is hoping it can
reach agreement with the federal government this week over its $10 billion water plan
for the Murray-Darling Basin.

VFF president Simon Ramsay said there was a sticking point over the commonwealth's
referral of powers issue where each state agrees to certain conditions.

The federal government intends to upgrade ageing water infrastructure on the condition
the states hand over control to the commonwealth.

Mr Ramsay said full referral of power could impact the water legislation of state governments.

He said a meeting last Friday with the prime minister "made us feel more comfortable".

"There has been a change of language in relation to the intent of full referral and
that makes us more comfortable," Mr Ramsay said.

The infrastructure upgrade includes spending $6 billion to seal major delivery channels,
improve metering and install drip systems to save 3,000 gigalitres of water each year
and $3 billion to buy back irrigators' water entitlements in the Murray-Darling Basin.

"The prime minister has put a substantial investment in the Murray-Darling Basin on
the table and we want to make sure Victoria's interests are looked after," Mr Ramsay said.

The VFF, which represents 12,000 farming businesses in Victoria and has 19,000 members,
will meet with the staff of water minister Malcolm Turnbull over the next few days.

The Victorian government is yet to sign up to the plan.

AAP jxt/sjm/cp/bwl

KEYWORD: WATER VIC

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