THE Victorian Government has been accused of using the courts to try to block the public finding out exactly what it used as the justification for piping water from the Goulburn River to supplement Melbourne's water supply.
The 70-kilometre pipeline project has been met with strident opposition across northern Victoria since it was first proposed.
Acting on behalf of its owner, the Victorian Government, the Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project has effectively appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision to release the Foodbowl Modernisation's original business plan.
Federal Member for Murray, Sharman Stone said that this details the original plans for the project which we now know will reduce the footprint of the local irrigation system by over 50 percent.
Dr Stone said that the Premier, John Brumby is apparently desperate to withhold information being sought under the Freedom of Information Act.
The request under the Freedom of Information Act was made by the State Coalition.
"Goulburn Valley irrigators have to pay $100 million to NVIRP as their contribution to the Foodbowl Modernisation activities. NVIRP is now using their budget including irrigator's money to appeal to the Supreme Court," she said.
"This can be compared to irrigators being asked to pay for their own funeral, given many farmers are now so sick of fighting to have a fair go."
Dr Stone said that Mr Brumby had walked away from his own highly critical Auditor General's report, which clearly states in its recommendations that "....water authorities should produce more comprehensive status information to provide greater transparency around the status of projects"
"There has been an appalling lack of consultation, poor value for money, chaos and confusion from the beginning of the Foodbowl Modernisation Project. Meanwhile the pipeline to Melbourne has surged ahead with hardly a hitch, and with no consideration of the environmental, economic, and community impact of taking water away from food growers who underpin the local industries.
"Irrigators, who are apparently now to help to pay for Mr Brumby burying the facts, deserve to be treated much better".
Dr Stone has called on Mr Brumby and NVIRP to immediately cease the Supreme Court challenge.
"The public must know the facts before we embark on Stage 2. We also must make sure that what is being done to the Goulburn Murray Irrigation System and its water users is never forced on any other area in the future," she said.
An NVIRP spokesperson said the business case for the Food Bowl Project has already been released, however, the question of access to earlier versions is currently before the courts and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
"This however has no bearing on the project - NVIRP are undertaking irrigation works right now to save water for farmers, rivers and Melbourne," the spokesperson said.
"The fact is the irrigation upgrades that have been completed so far have delivered more water savings than we had originally anticipated.
"The $2 billion irrigation renewal project is progressing well throughout the five GMID region.
"NVIRP is engaging daily with landowners who are keen to adapt new technologies to enhance their farming operation."
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