The issue of food security and our ability to feed the growing population is no doubt going to be a significant challenge in the decades to come.

I have an idea, which may help make a valuable contribution and allow regions in southern NSW and northern Victoria to play a prominent role. At the same time it has the potential to bring significant economic prosperity not only to these regions, but the entire nation of Australia.

Here's how it works.

First, I suggest we build some dams in the upper reaches of the Murray system to store our water. I have even come up with some names - let's call them Hume and Dartmouth.

We could also build storage systems in the Snowy Mountains which would not only provide a valuable means of drought-proofing large parts of our region, but perhaps also help in supplying electricity through a hydro scheme.

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I understand that a vast network of canals would be needed to channel this water to farming properties so that they could grow our grain and stock, but surely this is not insurmountable. And when it is done we may have the best gravity feed system in the world. Imagine that.

At the same time the water could provide environmental benefits on the farms, giving them a dual purpose of providing a valuable habitat, while also growing the food we need for an increasing population.

I understand there will be non-believers who may try to impede my grand plan, but when I thought about it I realised that although we do not always have a lot of confidence in our politicians, they will see how much sense it makes. And I am sure we will get support from the scientific community and the greenies, because they know only too well that at some point we must work out how we are going to feed not only our domestic population, but the billions who will be starving around the world.

My scheme can be a win-win-win - for humankind, the environment and our regional communities. Maybe I'm dreaming, but you never know.

Last week I had a motion pass successfully in the upper house of the Victorian Parliament calling on Parks Victoria to consult with local communities before locking out access to public lands.

It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but over the past year rock climbers have been locked out from half their climbs in the Grampians, a 47-year-old car rally at Sea Lake was stopped, and horse riding trails at Warrnambool were closed with little or no consultation. Parks Victoria appears to have an agenda - a future of no people allowed into any bush, anywhere.

I believe public land should be for the public. Parks Victoria are now on notice that there should be no more lockouts without at least talking to local people first.

I am writing to you to encourage readers to get in touch with my office if they would like to take up any issues about park access with the Government and Parks Victoria.

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