Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Environment and Planning Committee

Inquiry into Environmental Infrastructure for Growing Populations

Mr McCURDY (Ovens Valley) (15:17): It is a delight to see you in the chair, Acting Speaker Morris. I want to speak on the committee report of the inquiry into environmental infrastructure for growing populations, a committee which I do believe you are a member of, Acting Speaker. I particularly want to cover off on section 8, ‘Regional Victoria and peri-urban Melbourne’, and 8.1, growing populations. We need to match that infrastructure with the current forecasts of growth. You only need to come to Yarrawonga and Wangaratta to see the homes that have been built, the population increase and the boom that is going on in our regional cities and centres. It is not just COVID related; this has been going on for some time.

With the challenges of growth, as pointed out in section 8.1.2 of the inquiry’s report, we who live there know that planning and building and supporting of growth is one thing, but at the same time the other component is waste management. As many know, the Liberal-Nationals have already announced their policy for a zero-to-landfill plan to boost and encourage recycling, which is a great step forward for us both regionally and in metropolitan Melbourne—so all of Victoria. It will have an incredibly positive effect on transfer stations and landfill going forward. This policy can be most effective when we use waste as an energy source. We know that when we create energy from waste it is clean technology, which is in use all around the world, and we must embrace this technology better in Victoria. We have committed to zero waste to landfill by 2035. We know this means interim targets will see a 33 per cent reduction in household waste to landfill by 2025 and a further 66 per cent reduction by 2030. The Nationals and the Liberals are committed to better environmental outcomes for all of us, and we do have a path forward.

Section 8.2 of the report talks about partnerships and collaborations in regional areas. We all know that if we want better environmental outcomes, we must invest in a sustainable future. Our goal—it is a collective goal—is net zero emissions by 2050. That is not new. The Liberal-Nationals have had that position for some time—having that plan, understanding the benefits and working with families and businesses as we move forward. In the Ovens Valley it is about working with larger businesses and larger emitters, both fixed businesses and certainly transport companies as well, seeking incentives and encouraging lower emissions. We do work better when we all work together.

The report, at section 8.1.2, page 170, ‘Challenges and impacts of population growth’, includes the environmental impacts. Whether that is a clean water supply, recycled wastewater or maintaining our waterways, it is all part of the foundations as we grow in our regions. But with 75 per cent of Victoria’s population in Melbourne it is really important that our city cousins also support that same quest, because better environmental outcomes are everyone’s duty. It is everyone’s responsibility.

I think where this government falls well short is in their understanding of farmers and farm environmental outcomes. The environment is the bread and butter of our farmers, and to see $50 million cut from agriculture in the 2022–23 budget is another slap in the face for our farmers. That is not just for agriculture, it is for our regional businesses as well. It is a slap in the face for all Victorians, because farmers do not bite the hand that feeds them. They support Mother Nature and they look after Mother Nature because Mother Nature needs to be obeyed or we will all pay a significant price.

At page 180 it talks about community engagement around open space and waterways. Environmental outcomes must be front of mind and the highest priority because this foundation allows the building blocks to take shape for this growth to occur. Growth needs to be sustainable, it needs to be viable and it certainly needs to be economically sound. That is what we are all aiming to do certainly in regional Victoria in the long term.

The inquiry into environmental infrastructure for growing populations is just as important for regional Victoria as it is for metropolitan Melbourne. Some of the regional growth figures demonstrate growth rates of 30, 40, up to 47 per cent in some spots, and the pressures are real, they are not perceived. The Liberal-Nationals will address them and take them on head-on, not just talk about them like this current government does. We will address the environment issues as we move forward.