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$10m for Lindenow Valley water security
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$10m for Lindenow Valley water security

Lindenow’s $120 million horticulture industry received a shot in the arm today with the announcement that the Federal Government will provide $10million for water security projects in the Lindenow Valley.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said that after three years of drought, culminating in the recent total ban for irrigators on the Mitchell River, decisive action was needed to secure the future of the vegetable industry.
“It was therefore a pleasure to join my Federal colleague Darren Chester, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and State Opposition Leader, Michael O’Brien in Lindenow today to make the announcement,” said Mr Bull.
Lindenow, grower, Bill Bulmer, said this project would support those prepared to invest in their businesses to gain improved water security, which was the backbone of the local sector.
“This will allow us to partner with government to get the outcomes we need,” he said.
Mr Bull said the project has been the point of discussion for some time at all three levels of government and it was terrific the commitment was made today and this will be delivered.
“It’s not a pre-election commitment, this money is there and this will happen. This fund will provide local growers with the support they need to develop on farm storages to get them through the drier summer months, particularly drought periods,” Mr Bull said.
“While some may seek to increase entitlements if the water becomes available, in the first instance this is about allowing the farmers to use closer to their full allocation by being able to store winter flows in the event summer restrictions come in, like we have seen this year.
“Full credit to Darren for getting this over the line in such a short time frame, we have pursued this vigorously and it is a great outcome.
State Opposition Leader, Michael O’Brien said “water security means job security, and I strongly support the Federal Liberal Nationals’ investment in water storage upgrades in Gippsland.”  
Mr Bull also paid credit to the growers, some of whom provided important information that became part of the state submission.
9, April, 2019
Caption: pictured at today’s announcement at Lindenow (from left to right) Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack; Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester; Mayor of the East Gippsland Shire, Natalie O’Connell; Leader of the Opposition, Michael O’Brien; Bill Bulmer - Bulmer Farms and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.