General News
10 October, 2024
Rainy day in Murtoa: hot topics on farming and soil health dominate
Murtoa farmers voice worries over mining impact on soils.
I was standing shivering in the rain on Saturday morning at my marquee at the Lake Market, Murtoa helping celebrate Murtoa's Big Weekend when two lovely ladies warmed my morning.
They were farmers and had smiles on their faces - we needed the rain.
As the morning progressed the good folk from Murtoa, Minyip, Rupanyup, Horsham and many places in between came up for a chat and in farming communities like Murtoa on a cold Saturday morning, topics do not get hotter than their right to farm.
While some locals are open-minded about the prospects of energy or mining operations for the region, far more farmers came one after another concerned about the way 'social licence' is being handled by these operations.
It might rankle some that I am talking about this topic again, but I would not be doing my job as federal Member for Mallee if I shirked from the number one topic constituents are raising with me.
By the way, my door is always open to your thoughts - feel free to email me anne.webster.mp@aph.gov.au to start the conversation.
I remembered those lovely ladies in Murtoa when I finished chatting with Laureate Professor Ravi Naidu whom I asked to come and see me in Canberra this week.
Professor Ravi is the Managing Director and CEO of crcCARE, the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment.
Quite a mouthful, hence the acronym!
What Professor Ravi doesn't know about soil isn't worth knowing.
I look forward to bringing him to the Wimmera to meet with farmers concerned about the impact of mining on their soils, crops and human environment.
Professor Ravi can advise about the use of Roundup, paraquat and/or diquat, and the impact on crops, soils and humans.
I am eager to bring the best soil science to the Wimmera so communities and landholders can make fully informed decisions.
Our health and food security depend on it.