WATER COMMENTS WRONG
I refer to the recent public comments by Dr Sharman Stone, the Liberal member for Murray, asking South Australia not to buy water from the Murray Basin scheme.
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The ABC report says: “A federal MP is begging the South Australian Government for a commitment not to buy any more irrigation water in the Murray-Darling.”
It then says: “Federal Liberal MP Dr Sharman Stone wants a commitment from South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill not to buy any of the water for Adelaide.”
Dr Stone then makes these comments in that ABC report.
"South Australia, which has a desalinisation plant, it was federally funded, it has never been used just like Victoria's.
"Let them look at turning on that desalinisation plant for Adelaide's toilets and gardens and car washing instead of thinking to itself, 'hey, let's go buy another slab of the irrigators' water.'
"I'm begging – don't do it."
Does Dr Stone think we have forgotten that it was her, with her Liberal and National party colleagues, who made water a commodity to be traded, in 2007 with the Water Act?
Does Dr Stone think we have forgotten that her failure to invest in more and bigger dams for the Murray and its feeders has caused the boom or bust cycle of agriculture in northern Victoria and southern NSW?
If she doesn't approve of the Murray Basin Plan to buy and sell water – and she shouldn't – why did she support it?
This region needs more and bigger dams, to protect us from floods and droughts.
Making water into a commodity ensures that rich people can buy water, which excludes most farmers.
Dr Stone's call for South Australia to not buy water from the scheme she helped implement is the height of hypocrisy.
DR JULIAN FIDGE
Country Alliance Candidate for Indi,
Wangaratta
HAVE A GOOD TASTE
Celebrate all things Spring in Tumbarumba at the annual Tastebuds Festival. Now in its third year, the event will be held on November 7 to 8.
The event combines the Tumbarumba Garden Club’s Open Garden and Flower Show weekend with the open cellar doors.
The event is a great weekend for everyone, from those with a green thumb who enjoy gardening, to those who appreciate the hard work that goes into preparing and presenting a garden well, and everyone in between.
Take your time as you explore the seven gardens on display, each very unique in their design and display.
Tumbarumba Motel and Elms Restaurant will again be the venue for the annual Flower Show.
Wagga Botantical Garden’s head gardener, Michael Caves, will be judging the flower show and former ABC Riverina gardening guru Kerry Geale will be at the festival to offer gardening advice.
For the foodies, take the opportunity to meet and talk with the vignerons who produce our award-winning local wines.
Sample the best our region has to offer at the local produce markets being held at Nest Cinema Cafe Books on the Saturday.
On Saturday night, why not treat yourself and head along to the Nest in the Night Garden Spring Degustation, six courses for $119 accompanied by local wines.
Cost of entry to the gardens is $25 for all of the gardens, including the flower show, or $5 per garden, with all proceeds going to the garden owners’ charity of choice.
Tickets are available from Tumbarumba Visitor Information Centre, Tumbarumba Motel and on the day at the open gardens.
Entry to the cellar doors is free.
For more information on these events or other information about our region, please contact Tumbarumba Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6948 3333, or go to the website visittumbashire.com.au.
NATASHA BORSCHMANN,
Tumbarumba Council tourism promotions officer,
Tumbarumba
