Disappointed with coverage
AS MAYOR of the City of Griffith, I wish to express by disappointment with the attitude of The Area News towards “good news”.
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This attitude is no better characterised than with the editorial and story on Friday June 30, 2017.
Griffith was fortunate to have the privilege of a visit by the Premier of NSW, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian, MP on Wednesday June 28.
During the visit the Premier announced very exciting news for the city and our region.
This was $35 million for the stage one redevelopment of Griffith Base Hospital and $5 million for the completion of the Griffith Industry Link Road.
This was just the “tonic” we were looking for and the overwhelming feedback I have received from the community has been very positive. Your editorial was disrespectful and dismissive of the Premier's recognition that Griffith is a growing city.
In fact, I quote the Premier as stating during her visit in the presence of your journalist "how many other regional centres in NSW are growing as fast as Griffith?" This is clearly a signal Griffith is on the political radar in NSW.
All leaders of our city, including our print media should be positive, grasp the momentum and opportunities before us and press forward.
Griffith City Council is very appreciative of the efforts by our Local Member for Murray Adrian Piccoli, MP in securing a visit to Griffith by the Premier.
Premier Berejiklian, thank you for visiting our city and for committing substantial funds to new infrastructure for growing our region.
John Dal Broi
Mayor
Griffith City Council
Extension is a positive
THE extension of seven water sharing plans, which are nearing the end of their 10-year terms, will allow a detailed review.
The Lower Gwydir, Upper and Lower Namoi, Lower Macquarie, Lower Murrumbidgee and Lower Murray groundwater plans, as well as the plan for the Paterson Regulated River were due to expire in June.
The Lower Lachlan groundwater plan, which is due to expire in June 2018, has also been extended.
After considering advice provided by the Natural Resources Commission, it is appropriate to make some changes to all of these plans.
The extension to these water sharing plans will allow a review of plan outcomes, enabling current science and knowledge to be incorporated, and provides an opportunity to improve monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
This process will also enable further community input.”
Work will be undertaken to ensure that the replacement plans would be consistent with the current legislative and policy framework.
For the six inland groundwater water sharing plans it is important that we consider our commitments under the Commonwealth Basin Plan, as we move to water resource planning.
The implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan requires the development of Water Resource Plans by 2019. This plan extension will allow the alignment of Basin Plan and water sharing plan requirements.
While the extension of the Paterson Plan will allow the outcomes of the Hunter Priority Catchments Program to be included in the revised plan.
The plans will be extended for up to two years from their expiry date.
A copy of the Ministerial report can be obtained from the Natural Resources Commission website – www.nrc.nsw.gov.au.
Dr Christobel Ferguson
DPI water acting deputy director-general