Catchment Management Authority rates

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Patrick McNamara, has responded to concerns over Catchment Management Authority (CMA) rates.

Mr McNamara said CMA rates replaced River Management Authority rates in most areas and would allow protection and improvement of rivers and streams.

Minister McNamara said Melbourne residents had been paying such a fee for many years.

"All rates go back to the CMA's so they can address significant waterway health, water quality, floodplain and rural drainage management issues throughout Victoria.

"Your CMA is a local authority, made of local community members, who are collecting local money which is used to create safe waterways and safe catchments for the future of your local area.

"In some areas the rates enable communities to fund flood prevention, river erosion, and salinity.

"These problems limit agricultural productivity and opportunities to invest in higher value enterprises. Without this funding costs of flooding, river erosion and poor water quality will escalate.

"The State Government has increased waterway management funding from $5.5 million to $8 million.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Agriculture and Natural Resources, 26 November 1998)