So it's particularly disappointing that the Andrews Labor Government is trying to convince northern communities that reversing the north-south pipeline and turning on the desal plant is the solution. It is nothing but a cruel hoax. It is a hoax because if it did go ahead, the irrigation water sent up the pipeline would cost roughly $5000 per megalitre plus the cost of pumping it.

To put that in perspective, at that price an average dairy farm would have a yearly water bill of around $4.5 million. Labor claims it's considering the plan to assist struggling irrigators, but how on earth will it help them if they can't afford a drop of the water?

The truth is that the Andrews Labor Government is desperate to find a reason to turn on the desal plant. They want to validate its existence and they're using drought-stricken farmers to do it.

There are ways the government could help struggling irrigators in northern Victoria, such as releasing more environmental water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan into the temporary market.

The last Labor government built the north-south pipeline and desal plant, and it looks like this new Labor government is hell-bent on using them both - no matter the cost.

Peter Walsh MP, Leader of The Nationals

Completely agree with him. I have the same problem out in Ross Creek forest area etc. I would encourage people to look for anything that identifies the litter-louts and pass it on to rangers.

Colin 

Tip fees are expensive and generally tenants don't get tip vouchers or have a way of getting items to the tip. We need a regular hard rubbish collection service.

Christine