Media Releases

Minister for Local Government and Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell today officially opened the new $1.7 million multi-purpose pavilion at the Shepparton Showgrounds.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Mrs Powell said the new pavilion was a valuable asset for the community.

“The new multi-purpose pavilion will provide for existing cattle and goat needs at the annual Shepparton Show, as well as offer a flexible new venue for a range of other uses throughout the year,” Mrs Powell said.

“Shepparton is a centre for regional tourism events, festivals, exhibitions and conferences and the new pavilion will attract future events that will generate significant economic benefits for Greater Shepparton.

“The Shepparton Showgrounds are an important component of the regions economic and social activity, hosting more than 30 events over the past year.

“The annual Shepparton Agricultural Show attracts over 12,000 visitors and helps bring the wider community together whilst generating significant economic activity,” Mrs Powell said.

Mrs Powell said the new Shepparton Showgrounds multi-use pavilion, which includes a full-length canopy for pedestrian shelter, replaced the Jack Wall, Phillips and Northern cattle pavilions, as well as the TR Trewin goat pavilion.

Mrs Powell said the Victorian Government, through Regional Development Victoria (RDV), had contributed $500,000 towards the overall $1.7 million project.

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to boosting the social and economic value of regional Victoria.

“The $1 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a major component of the Victorian Government’s commitment to support the continued economic development of regional Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“The RGF represents our commitment to drive regional development across the state, to ensure regional Victoria remains a key contributor towards future growth and prosperity.”

State Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell, is encouraging individuals, groups and community networks in the Shepparton District to nominate for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards.

“Landcare is seeking individuals, groups and community networks that deserve to be recognised for their work in tackling environmental issues from the ground up,” Mrs Powell said.

“As Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, I encourage local councils and Indigenous groups to get involved by nominating groups or individuals who have made a great contribution to sound land management practices in the Shepparton District.

Victorians can nominate volunteers or groups for approximately 18 award categories, including seven special Victoria-specific categories:
· Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship – $5,000
· CitiPower and Powercor Landcare Network Award – $5,000
· Dr Sidney Plowman Travel and Study Award – $4,000
· DPI Sustainable Farming Award (regional) – $500 per CMA region; Rural Press Primary Producer Award (state)
· The Bushfire Recovery Award – $15,000
· Long Service to Landcare Award – $1,000
· Long Service to Landcare – Honour Roll

Landcare is a movement of individuals and groups focusing on managing the environment in their local area. Volunteers perform a range of tasks from planting trees, stopping soil erosion and assisting with primary production, to protecting Victoria’s native wildlife and controlling weeds and pests.

Nominations have been extended until 22 July 2011. State winners will become nominees in the biennial national Landcare awards 2012.

For more information visit www.landcarevic.net.au or contact my office 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton phone 58316944

State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell congratulated and commended Fruit Growers Victoria Ltd and fruit growers throughout the Goulburn Valley and across Australia in Parliament for organising a breakfast in Canberra to speak to the Federal Minister for Agriculture Joe Ludwig earlier this month.

Mrs Powell told State Parliament the breakfast was organised to alert the Minister and federal Members of Parliament to the risks associated with importing New Zealand apples into Australia and the impact this will have on fruit growers and the broader community.

“I wrote a letter of support to Fruit Growers Victoria to give to the Minister,” Mrs Powell said.

“I outlined the devastating impact allowing New Zealand apples into the country could have on the Goulburn Valley, which is known as the food bowl of Australia and produces about 85 per cent of Australia’s pears.”

Mrs Powell said New Zealand’s application to export apples to Australia had caused years of angst for growers.

“The major concern is that New Zealand has fire blight, a virulent disease which could devastate our apple and pear industry.

“It develops rapidly and no country has ever been able to eradicate fire blight once it has been established. Any introduction of fire blight will affect our fruit growers and have a massive flow-on effect to businesses in the Goulburn Valley.”

Mrs Powell recently received a letter from local businessman Daryl Gorman advising of his concerns about the impact of New Zealand apples imports to his machinery and tractor business, which is 50 per cent reliant on orchardists.

“This shows the flow on effect to businesses in the Goulburn Valley and the threat to employment.

“Orchardists, business owners and the community have been very vocal in their fight against the importation of New Zealand apples. In 2000, there were 5000 people marching on the streets of Shepparton, and in 2004, about 8000 people joined a fire blight rally.

“Our fruit growers currently have a clean, green image and the threat of virulent diseases such as fire blight will destroy that reputation,” Mrs Powell said.