Pipeline approval ‘environmental vandalism’

Farmers, environmental groups and the Greens are angry about the Federal Government's decision to approve Victoria's controversial North-South water pipeline.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett today approved the pipeline, which will connect the Goulburn River near Yea, in central Victoria, to a reservoir north of Melbourne.

There are concerns that by taking too much water from the north, the pipeline will cripple the region's agriculture sector.Once it is up and running, the Sugarloaf Pipeline will carry 75 billion litres of water each year from Yea, 70 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, across the Great Dividing Range to the Sugarloaf Reservoir.

Today Mr Garrett granted so-called "conditional approval" for the project.

"I'm satisfied that it will not impact on matters of national environment significance," he said."I have imposed a set of conditions which ensure that listed species that need to be protected under the Act will be protected.

"[And] in relation to the matters of water that travels down the pipelines...no waters from the Living Murray Initiative or water for the Rivers Initiative; environmental waters will go down this pipeline as a consequence of this decision."

'Win-win situation'Victorian Water Minister Tim Holding says construction on the $750 million pipeline will begin soon.

He says Melbourne is now a step closer to having a secure water supply.

"This is not about taking water that is currently used for consumptive purposes," he said.

"This project is about taking water that is currently lost; capturing that water through investing in irrigation upgrades and then sharing those savings. Stressed rivers, with irrigators and with Melbourne. This is a win, win, win.

"That's the strength of this project and that's why we're happy to give guarantees and assurances that this project will not add to stressed communities in the state's north, it won't add to their stress, rather it will provide water that is otherwise being lost."

The pipeline project will not require an environmental study.

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Source: ABC News