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 Fire crews to pump pipe water 

Fire crews to pump pipe water

30/09/2008 11:05:00 AM
Fire crews have been granted permission to take water from Victoria's north-south pipeline, in a move that has raised questions about a Labor MP's lobbying.

Keen to appease hostile communities north of Melbourne, the State Government says the pipeline will become "an integral part of the State's firefighting arsenal".

Government spokesman Matt Nurse said Country Fire Authority crews would be able to tap into the pipe.

But the move has political ramifications, particularly in the town of Yea, which has become the centre of anti-pipeline anger.

The Yea CFA branch is led by Neil Beer, husband of Plug the Pipe's most prominent member, Jan Beer.

The decision has also raised questions about Labor MP Ben Hardman's use of the Victorian Parliament, after leaked private letters showed pipeline project director Rod Clifford approved the CFA access almost three weeks before Mr Hardman lobbied for them in Parliament.

Mr Hardman, whose hold on the seat of Seymour has been threatened by the pipeline, addressed Parliament on September 11, urging Water Minister Tim Holding to allow the CFA access to the pipe.

The Age has obtained letters between Mr Clifford and pipeline stakeholders beginning on August 21, showing Mr Clifford's endorsement of at least three access locations near Glenburn.

Mr Hardman last night denied the decision was made before he lobbied for the access in Parliament, saying even though he knew hydrants were likely to be installed, he took nothing for granted until Mr Holding's office announced them.

"I don't like raising expectations with these sorts of things if there's no chance of them happening," he said.

"Until there's an announcement made it's not in the bag. Things can change."

Mr Beer said he had been told four access points would be installed along the northern half of the pipeline, with more on the southern end.

"It would be an advantage, but to be honest, the fact that there are four hydrants there is not going to allow us to put a bushfire out," he said.

Mrs Beer said she doubted the pipeline would have any water to send to Melbourne, let alone to fight bushfires.

"The local CFA has been blatantly used and abused by this Government," she said.

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Comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
The reality of the situation is that the CFA is has longstanding legislated entitlement to access the pipeline (or any water it requires) to put out fires, which is common sense. The CFA is an emergency service, predominantly made up of community volunteers. Whoever shamefully dragged the CFA into the pipeline debate should be seen for what they really are, very desparate and clearly lacking legitimate facts in support of their perspective in the debate. The CFA is as relevant as the price of tea in China!!
Posted by CQ on 1/10/2008 12:38:45 PM
Also, in the interest of accuracy in this story the very first sentence MUST be corrected. "Fire crews have been granted permission to take water from Victoria's north-south pipeline..." RUBBISH! Fire crews already have a legislated entitlement to access any water needed in the execution of their duty!
Posted by CQ on 1/10/2008 12:47:04 PM

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