AS the Sea Lake community continues to wait for the outcome of the conservation management plan for Lake Tyrrell, voters believe the future of the Mallee Rally and the rise of tourism within Sea Lake are some of the major issues impacting the future of the town. On the eve of the state election, The Guardian asked Mildura electorate candidates to share their thoughts on these major issues impacting the town. Here’s what they had to say.
Sonia Brymer
Independent
INDEPENDENT candidate Sonia Brymer said she would do her best to fight for the region if elected, while listening to what people want.
“I would be interested to hear what the local constituents think is needed and how they feel a solution would best be reached,” she said.
Paul Matheson
Liberal
SHOWING his support for the return of Australia’s oldest off-road racing event, the Mallee Rally, Mr Matheson said he would work with traditional owners and the Sea Lake Off Road Club “to meet cultural heritage requirements, with the aim to return the Mallee Rally”.
“The event generated a massive boost for the local economy, and the shared use of the area opens up other entrepreneurial tourism ideas, and strengthens our communities,” Mr Matheson said.
“People travel from across the nation to Sea Lake each year for the event, generating massive public and tourist interest in the greater Mallee.”
Mr Matheson said a common-sense approach was needed, noting tourism and the Mallee Rally could coexist within the town.
“The Sea Lake and motorsport communities have been abandoned by the Andrews’ Labor government,” Mr Matheson said.
“We cannot allow any more iconic events to be cancelled.”
He said it was time to sit down and work through the issues.
“Too often we make excuses and hide behind rules and regulations,” Mr Matheson said.
“Let’s have a yarn, immediately finance the cultural heritage assessment and get on with the job. It has been left idle too long and the future of all events run by our volunteer-run community groups are at risk.”
The Liberal candidate said Lake Tyrrell was a mecca for tourists from around the world and everyone should be able to benefit from its popularity.
“Every time a local entrepreneur comes up with an outstanding idea, they hit a cultural snag. We need to break down the barriers and identify real solutions.”
If elected, Mr Matheson said he would provide better representation for regional communities, including Sea Lake.
Stella Zigouras
Australian Labor Party
MS Zigouras says a re-elected Labor Government would work hard to ensure Sea Lake’s tourism economy was well supported so that it could thrive.
“Labor recognises the Mallee Rally has a long history at Lake Tyrrell, and the benefits it brings to the regional economy,” Ms Zigouras said.
“We also respect the rights and decisions of Traditional Owners to protect Cultural and environmental values.”
Ms Zigouras said a re-elected Labor Government would continue to invest in projects that created jobs and attracted visitors.
“Labor has already invested more than $2.8 million for visitor upgrades at Lake Tyrrell, $800,000 for the Sea Lake Visitor Centre and Silo Art Trail Hub, and a share of the $4 million Streetscape Renewal Project to enhance the Sea Lake Streetscapes and town entrance,” Ms Zigouras said.
“Labor will continue to deliver the projects and services regional Victorians need and want – like lowering power bills, free kinder and more healthcare workers.”
Jade Benham
The Nationals
MS Benham said smaller rural towns such as Sea Lake have been overlooked by the Andrews Labor Government for too long.
She said The Nationals were the only party solely focused on regional and rural Victoria.
“We know our communities and the issues they face,” she said.
“It’s why we are investing $10 billion over 10 years in our roads, bringing back the Country Roads and Bridges program, with Robinvale-Sea Lake Road on our priority list for local roads.”
Recognising the contribution of the Mallee Rally to the local economy,” Ms Benham said she was awaiting the release of the cultural management plan.
“The Mallee Rally contributes to our local economy with competitors and spectators coming from across the nation, I look forward to working with key stakeholders so we can continue the Mallee Rally in a culturally appropriate way,” she said.
“I too am waiting with bated breath to read the contents of the cultural management plan for Lake Tyrrell, which I have not seen as yet.”
Ms Benham said rural towns faced “harsh and unnecessary” lockdowns under Labor, impacting tourism which has become a major contributor to the local economy.
“In regard to Lake Tyrrell, the cultural management plan will influence tourism significantly, and we wait to see what that report contains,” she said.
“Once this report is released, which I expect to be post-election, a Liberal and Nationals Government can start working with all stakeholders to protect sacred lands while at the same time bringing back Sea Lake’s largest event, not just in terms of dollars into the local economy, but in terms of town morale.”
Glenn Milne
Independent
MR Milne believes a unified approach is needed to ensure the Mallee Rally and the town’s tourism potential can co-exist.
“The lake is central to everything at Sea Lake and there must be a way to cater for all uses,” he said.
Recognising the importance of the Mallee Rally and tourism for the town, Mr Milne said he would make himself readily available to the community on a regular basis if elected.
“I fully understand the importance of such key events to small communities,” he said.
“I love the Mallee Rally and any other form of racing that involves engines.”
As a photographer, Mr Milne has also captured the beauty of Lake Tyrrell on many occasions and said he understood the town’s huge tourism potential.
“I believe the first step is to sit down with all players to understand the issues and hurdles and then work through possible options that can lead to reinstating the event and ensuring it remains long-term,” he said.
Mr Milne said trusting relationships were needed to find a solution that “unites the community while providing an acceptable outcome for all”.
“I believe it is important that permanent solutions be found for long-term planning and ensuring Sea Lake once again has a signature event that provides for a large financial gain for the community and community groups and allows small businesses to operate successfully in the area.”
With family ties to both dryland and irrigated farming, Mr Milne said he also retained a strong interest in farming and transport.
Ali Cupper
Independent
LAST week Ms Cupper, Member for Mildura, sought to set the record straight on her position on the Mallee Rally in the face of what she said were unsubstantiated attacks about her involvement.
“I have noticed a number of comments recently on social media suggesting that I don’t support the Mallee Rally or that I want it to be moved to a different town. Some even believe that it’s my fault that the rally was cancelled in the first place” she said.
Ms Cupper said she had always thrown her support behind the Mallee Rally, while seeking to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage at Lake Tyrrell and this was evident in her submission in relation to the Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Conservation Management Plan for Lake Tyrrell.
“In my view the peaceful coexistence between the ancient and modern cultural histories and traditions of Direl is entirely possible,” Ms Cupper said in her submission.
“In the bigger picture of reconciliation, compromise and co-operation would be preferable to the wholesale cancellation of the Mallee Rally in Sea Lake, or a significant curtailing of farming practices.”
Ms Cupper said she had had discussions with the Sea Lake Off Road Club, Buloke Shire, the Victorian Government, cultural heritage experts, traditional owner groups, farmers and other constituents to find a solution.
“In this case, the reality is that legislation exists to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and that Lake Tyrrell has been identified as a site of cultural significance. Both of these decisions were made before I was elected in 2018.
“So, the task at hand is to find a solution whereby the legislation can be adhered to, while also carving out a future for the Mallee Rally.”
Philippe Brougham (Freedom Party of Victoria), Felicity Sharpe (Labour DLP), Angylina Zayn (Animal Justice Party), Brad Stratton (Family First Victoria) and Katie Clements (Australian Greens) did not provide statements to The Guardian.
