Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Lake Buffalo dam

Mr McCURDY (Ovens Valley) (19:06): (1952) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Water—and I am delighted to see she is in the chamber tonight—and the action that I seek is for the minister to refer the upgrade of Lake Buffalo dam to the commonwealth government for it to consider this remarkable project.

The commonwealth government have created the National Water Grid Authority with $100 million to examine nation-shaping water projects for our country. Water is above state versus state; this is a national issue and must be treated as such. We just need the minister to put pen to paper and ask the federal government to research this outstanding proposition.

Lake Buffalo near Myrtleford was first built in 1965. It holds 23 000 megalitres. But at the same time land was purchased to build Big Buffalo, which would be 40 times bigger and 1 million megalitres. The Victorian government continues to say ‘Dams don’t make it rain’ or ‘There are no practical places left to build dams’. Both of these statements are misleading and quite petty. Like Melbourne needs a dedicated train to the airport and various freeway upgrades, country Victoria just wants to have water security.

The UN climate change experts tell us we will get heavier rainfall events less often, with longer dry periods in between, so increasing our water storage is absolute logic. The Nationals understand the importance of water security and dams—an importance that they hold for our growing state, including Melbourne, which needs more and more food and fibre, and energy. Around Australia, New South Wales are upgrading Wyangala Dam, costing $650 million, and they are building a new dam for $450 million near Tamworth. Queensland have an upgrade to a dam near Rockhampton for $352 million. Victoria says, ‘There is nothing to see here; we don’t even want to try’.

North-east Victoria has a better rainfall and less evaporation than both of those states, and we have a plan that will not interfere with the Murray-Darling Basin plan or environmental flows—a plan that includes hydro-electricity generation and will be beneficial as our climate changes. Regional Victoria must have reliable water supplies to provide Melbourne with the food and energy that they require. This can even help your upcoming budget in May because there is zero cost involved for Victoria. Do not miss this opportunity to support the environment, country communities and future Melbourne growth.

I respectfully ask the minister to desist from looking for excuses and refer this much-needed project to the National Water Grid Authority, and then we can be guided by the research to decide if we have got a strong case to upgrade Lake Buffalo. Referring this project will be zero cost to Victorians. It would be irresponsible not to look at the economics. It costs nothing to examine. In Melbourne putting in a rainwater holding tank attracts a government grant. Regional Victoria just wants the same logic, and if the federal government is willing to assist, let us do the sums. I ask the minister to refer this project now.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Tarneit can I acknowledge in the gallery members of the Victorian Youth Parliament task force. Welcome.