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Pratt pulls plug on drought-proof plan
3 May 2004
Visy Industries' Richard Pratt has withdrawn from the Victorian Government's plan to "drought proof" Werribee, which provides most of Melbourne's leafy green vegetables. A spokesman for Mr Pratt confirmed that the plan had fallen through in March. The involvement of businessman Frank Costa is also in doubt.
The original deal, which was announced last year, would have seen Mr Pratt and Mr Costa contribute $3 million to build a pilot plant to test the latest recycling and irrigation technology. Werribee vegetable growers would have then been able to use recycled waste water from the Western Treatment Plant; the plant would have been handed over to Victoria within a decade.
Mr Costa said he was "very frustrated" with the State Government's lack of action and seeming inability to communicate with growers. However, Regional Development Victoria said the Government is committed to the plan and is close to offering a farmer nominated by Mr Costa the opportunity to trial a pilot recycling and irrigation system that could begin this year.
The Sunday Age, 2/5/04.
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