Lakes funding announced

May 15, 2008, 5:17pm,  147 views

The Australian reports the Federal Government has committed $5.3million towards improving water quality in the Gippsland Lakes ahead of next month’s by-election.

The measure is part of $2.2billion over five years contained in Labor’s Caring for Country initiative, which has replaced a range of Coalition programs.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Caring for Country would cut red tape and focus natural resource investment on national priorities.

“We want communities to put their energies into practical on-the-ground action, not filling out forms,” he said.

The Government says regional bodies will receive guaranteed funding of at least 60 per cent of the historical average to secure their operations under Caring for Country.

Comment: Sounds good to invest in projects, rather than bureaucracy. This should be well received in the electorate.