Northern Victoria Region
Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:51): (373) My question is for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation. As the minister would be aware, Strathbogie Shire Council is charged with the role of waterways manager for the Goulburn River from Hughes Creek to Goulburn Weir. This includes management of Lake Nagambie, a substantial body of water in the centre of Nagambie township that is a very popular tourist and recreational attraction all year round. To ensure the safety of those using the waterways, Strathbogie Shire Council employs a third-party contractor to undertake boating safety patrols, at a cost to ratepayers of between $150,000 and $200,000 a year. The cost of delivering this current service is not sustainable for the shire unless recurrent annual funding to meet the full cost of the waterways management role is provided. As this role is not a local government responsibility, will the minister give a commitment to provide recurrent annual funding to Strathbogie Shire Council to meet the full cost of undertaking the management of the waterways?