MAYWALD MUST ACT AFTER NOWINGI TOXIC DUMP RALLY

Liberal Leader Rob Kerin has called on Riverland MP and Rann Cabinet Minister Karlene Maywald to oppose plans for a toxic waste dump near the River Murray following a protest rally that shut down Mildura today.

Mr Kerin said the dump plan had drawn widespread concern within River Murray communities highlighted by today’s protest at which a crowd of more than 1,000 people blocked major highways through the Victorian river city.

He said the Bracks Government planned to dump 30,000 tonnes of toxic waste annually at Nowingi, just 14km from the River Murray and only seven kilometres from Hattah Lakes – an internationally-recognised wetland.

“Riverland residents are rightly concerned about the environmental and economic impacts of the Nowingi dump on their region,” Mr Kerin said.

“But despite their fears, Mrs Maywald has shied away from any meaningful opposition to the dump proposal.”

Liberal Candidate for Chaffey Anna Baric said the Riverland region’s clean, green image for its fruit, vegetables and wine was at risk from the proposal.

“The Labor plan for a toxic waste dump just over the border threatens the reputation of the entire region’s produce,” Mrs Baric said.

“To date Mrs Maywald and the Rann Government have been reluctant to represent the best interests of the Riverland community by speaking out on the dangers of the toxic dump to this State.

“They ignore the fact that Nowingi is 200 kilometres closer to Adelaide and more hazardous than the now-cancelled Woomera radioactive waste repository.

“On top of this, it is in the River Murray catchment – the water lifeline for the Riverland and most of SA.

“It seems Mrs Maywald and her Labor Cabinet colleagues will stand by and allow Victorian Labor to dump thousands of tonnes of dangerous toxic waste closer to Adelaide than to Melbourne, where it is produced.”