Eastern Victoria Region
Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (12:44): (1837) My question is for the Minister for Water. Minister, how is the Victorian government supporting the Gippsland Lakes? Last Friday I was lucky enough to tour the incredible Gippsland Lakes with several of the agencies working to protect and enhance Australia’s largest inland waterway. Thank you to Bec Hemming, CEO of East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, who organised the tour. We were also joined by representatives of the East Gippsland shire, Gippsland Ports, Parks Victoria, GLAWAC, the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and local Landcare members. The Gippsland Lakes are Australia’s largest and most beautiful inland waterways. They cover an area of 600 square kilometres and are home to around 400 indigenous plant species and 300 native wildlife species. The lakes also support nationally and internationally threatened wetland species and waterbird-breeding and fish-spawning sites. It was a fantastic time out on the water, understanding all the work being done across business and community groups, and I thank them again for the opportunity.