19 June 2009
COURT FINDING SUPPORTS PIPELINE WORKERS
Melbourne Water is pleased that its rights to legally enter private land have been confirmed in the Seymour Magistrates Court this morning.
This ruling was handed down in an obstruction case against Deb Bertalli, a landowner who obstructed Melbourne Water contractors as they carried out minor preliminary works on her Yea property in September 2008. The works were carried out as part of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project.
Melbourne Water Project Director, Rod Clifford, has welcomed the Court's decision.
"We are pleased this matter has been dealt with so we can get on with the job of delivering this project ahead of time and on budget," Mr Clifford said.
Mr Clifford has repeated his call on Plug the Pipe and its supporters to withdraw the remaining criminal trespass charges against five pipeline workers and contractors.
"The Magistrate has made it clear that land entry by Melbourne Water was legal under the Water Act so the trespass charges serve no purpose beyond making targets of individual workers and contractors who were just doing their jobs," he said.
"We have said from the beginning that we believe the land entry provisions of the Water Act are crystal clear. Today's ruling confirms that we are on rock-solid ground.
Mr Clifford said Melbourne Water would continue to ensure all future land entries were handled with due care and diligence, and in full consultation with affected landowners.
"Our approach is not just about the letter, but also the spirit, of the law. The level of cooperation and consultation on this project is of an exceptionally high standard and we will keep that up until the project is completed" Mr Clifford said.
The Sugarloaf Pipeline Project will reach a milestone today as the tunnel boring machine breaks through the end of the 830 metre tunnel under the Toolangi State Forest.
Significant progress is also being made along the pipeline route where there are now 50 Alliance crews working and 53 kilometres of pipe has been laid.
Construction of the two pump stations is well underway and the power sub-station transformer building is almost complete. The project remains on budget and pipe laying is expected to be completed by the end of July.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836