Suzanna Sheed
  • Home
  • About
    • About Suzanna
    • Shepparton District
    • How Suzanna can help
  • Priorities
    • Agriculture
    • Education
    • Health
    • Infrastructure
    • Our Achievements
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Blog
    • Parliament
    • Photos
  • Resources
    • Newsletters
    • Out & About with Suzanna
    • COVID-19
  • Contact
    • Request a
      Congratulatory
      Message
    • Subscribe to our
      newsletter
  • Menu Menu

HERITAGE BILL UPDATE PASSED

November 29, 2016/in Media Releases

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has reflected on the historical icons in the electorate, as the Heritage Bill 2016 was passed through the Lower House last week.

The Bill modernises earlier legislation, which Ms Sheed noted had not been closely looked at in the last 20 years.

“We have some fabulous buildings on the Victorian Heritage Register, and it is so good to see funding provided to save those buildings of particular historical interest in our regions,” Ms Sheed said.

“Shepparton was built on agriculture. It did not enjoy the great wealth of the gold rushes such as Bendigo, Ballarat and other goldmining areas.

“Shepparton is young, and as such, its heritage sites are much more recent.

“We have the German War Cemetery at Tatura. It was the first foreign war cemetery to be established in Australia by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It provided for the reburial of German internees and prisoners of war who died while they were detained in Australia during World War I and World War II.

“We have the Bangerang Cultural Centre. Sandy Atkinson was one of our senior elders who died only this year. I would like to acknowledge Uncle Sandy Atkinson, who was born on Cummeragunja Mission in 1932. He was just an amazing contributor to Victoria and to Australia. Uncle Sandy showed me through the Bangerang Cultural Centre only last year and it is a wonderful collection of historical artefacts and photographs precious to our past and more recent heritage” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed also told an attentive Parliament about the Calder Woodburn Memorial Avenue.

“This has 9.5 kilometres of trees alongside the Goulburn Valley Highway heading into Shepparton. It was planted between 1945 and 1949 by Mr Woodburn as a living memorial to his son Calder, who lost his life while serving with the Royal Australian Air Force.   There are now 100 memorial plaques on various trees going into Shepparton which recognise soldiers from our local district. Each memorial plaque was placed to face the home of the fallen soldier”.

Ms Sheed said, while the buildings of the past are important, it is what the community and governments do today which will be significant for the future.

“We have to consider what we are building, because I dare say that many of the buildings that are going up quickly around our cities and towns will not be buildings that will be honoured if they are not built in a way that reflects who we are now and what we think is of real value, rather than just chasing the quick dollar,” she said.

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-29 05:16:402020-02-07 02:45:42HERITAGE BILL UPDATE PASSED

RESEARCH INSTITUTES MUST BE RETURNED

November 25, 2016/in Media Releases

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has highlighted the need to build climate change, water and agricultural research institutes in regional areas in Parliament this week.

Speaking on the Energy Legislation Amendment (Feed-in Tariffs and Improving Safety and Markets) Bill 2016, Ms Sheed said people are searching for ways to be more environmentally-conscious.

“Energy is one of our greatest challenges and goes hand-in-hand with climate change.

“The Bill makes a number of amendments to Victoria’s energy legislation in relation to renewable energy feed-in tariffs and national energy markets,” Ms Sheed said.

“I hear farmers talk more and more about climate change, about variability in climate, recognising that there are drier times around us, that we are in a situation where we know that we will have less water in our future,” she said.

Ms Sheed also highlighted the growing interest in solar opportunities.

“The price of energy is certainly an issue for everyone, but people are looking at and wanting to adopt alternative ways to achieve energy savings for themselves, and in our area solar energy has always been regarded as very doable.

“We have more sunlight in Shepparton than probably anywhere else in Australia. Back in the 1980’s there was the notion that Shepparton would become a solar city. It was a vision that just did not seem to get up at the time, and it is probably now, 30 years later, everyone is getting on board,” Ms Sheed said.

She has encouraged the State Government to seek opportunities to put research institutes back into regional areas.

“I really bemoan the fact that so much of the research that used to take place in our communities — for instance, at the Tatura Research Station and the Kyabram Research Centre — has all gone back to capital cities, with all research now being done in major institutions in areas that are remote from our communities.  Yet it is our communities who will adopt so much of what they discover.

I urge government to go back to the grassroots, go back to our communities and put research in those places where it belongs,” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed used the examples of GV Community Energy, which has been operating since 2008, to prove the benefits of putting research back into the Shepparton District.

She also highlighted proposals for future projects, including a solar farm for the Moira Shire.

 “The solar farm enables you to buy in, probably at a similar cost to putting panels on your roof. You then receive a commensurate benefit for being a part of that without having the panels on your roof,” she said.

“There are currently legislative impediments that will stop the Moira Shire from undertaking the project, but it’s keen to meet with government, talk about these sorts of projects and see whether it is something that it can get up.

I congratulate the Moira Shire Council for the work it’s doing in relation to sustainability and renewable energy,” Ms Sheed said.

“There is a lot of innovation happening in our communities, and governments need to legislate to ensure the facilitation of projects which will ultimately reduce our greenhouse emissions and of course household energy costs,” she said.

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-25 02:58:182020-02-07 02:45:42RESEARCH INSTITUTES MUST BE RETURNED

VICTORIA COMMITS TO FINDING A BETTER BASIN PLAN

November 22, 2016/in Media Releases

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she is encouraged by the response of the Victorian Government on water policy, as she and the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) Water Leadership Forum continues to advocate for adjustments in the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Today in Parliament, Ms Sheed asked Water Minister Lisa Neville to outline the Government’s policy in relation to the 450GL of upwater, which has been widely debated since the tumultuous Ministerial Council Meeting held in Adelaide on Friday.

“Victoria…has done the heavy lifting.  We’ve already delivered 711GL, most of which is high reliability water.  We’ve got 116GL as part of our water recovery projects, including the Connections Project.  We’ve got 19 business cases for environmental projects,” Minister Neville said.

The Victorian Government is due to release its own socio economic report soon, which Minister Neville said “has already indicated that there is potential for significant impact on horticulture and dairy”.

It echoes the findings of the GMID Water Leadership Forum report released in October, which showed $550mill worth of production has been lost the region annually, since the implementation of the current Basin Plan.

“Minister Neville acknowledged we need to ‘do something differently’ to deliver the 450GL,” Ms Sheed said.

“She also reiterated, under the Plan, that water can only be delivered if there is a neutral or improved socio economic outcome for communities. Clearly, the evidence is already suggesting otherwise.

“Minister Neville has committed to no further government buybacks, and no movement on the 450GL, unless it can be shown there is a neutral or a better socio economic impact.

On the back of today’s recommendation by the Basin Authority that it will be reducing its recovery from the Northern Basin by 70GL, the Victorian Government’s commitment is a positive sign for our communities,” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed has backed the appointment of an Independent panel to find the best environmental outcomes in the plan, with the minimal impact on communities.

“Our GMID Water Leadership Forum is advocating that other ways to achieve the water for the environment be found, other than taking it from the consumptive pool,” she said.

However, she is disappointed South Australia has not supported the measure.

“South Australia should come on board with Victoria and New South Wales, to find the best possible outcomes for their communities.

“I can only hope Minister Neville’s South Australian counterpart will return to the table with a positive agenda for achieving environmental outcomes without further detriment to our Basin communities, including his own,” Ms Sheed said.

 

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-22 04:55:292020-02-07 02:45:40VICTORIA COMMITS TO FINDING A BETTER BASIN PLAN

GV HEALTH REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

November 17, 2016/in Media Releases

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she’s pleased to see work progressing on the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health.

It follows the appointment of Sandy Chamberlin as project manager, full-time to the plan.

Ms Chamberlin this week arranged for members of the GVH Community Advisory Group to travel to the Northern Hospital in Epping, along with critical Shepparton staff members, to explore a similar project.

“The Northern Hospital has been undergoing staged redevelopment for some time,” Ms Sheed said.

“We were taken through the medical ward, midwifery, paediatric sections and the emergency department which has 55 cubicles.

“We all had the chance to talk to the staff on the wards about what had worked for them and what didn’t work on the practical day-to-day basis,” she said.

“Some good connections have been made which will be very useful as we move ahead.”

The Shepparton redevelopment will include:

  • Three new operating theatres;
  • Two new wards;
  • The refurbishment of existing theatres;
  • The extension of the emergency department to include extra treatment bays;
  • The refurbishment of the maternity unit;
  • And a new special care nursery.

The schematic design phase is due to conclude next month.

Detailed designs are set to be released in April 2017.

As chair of the Community Advisory Group, Ms Sheed said she looked forward to creating opportunities for the community of Shepparton and the surrounding townships to see those designs once they are completed.

“There is a very positive team approach in play and some vigorous discussions will no doubt be had along the way,” Ms Sheed said.

“It is exciting to be involved in these early design phases and to see the enthusiasm of our staff who are so keen to see the best result possible.”

 

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-17 22:00:522020-02-07 02:45:39GV HEALTH REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

HEALTH MINISTER TO ADVOCATE FOR RADIOTHERAPY SERVICES

November 14, 2016/in Media Releases

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she’s pleased the Victorian Health Minister has agreed to advocate for radiotherapy services at Goulburn Valley Health.

“The Garvan Research Institute Report, released two weeks ago, stated a person is more likely to die from cancer within five years of diagnosis, the further they live from a major city,” Ms Sheed said.

“It further highlighted the need for Shepparton to be a base for radiotherapy services,” she said.

This week in Parliament, Ms Sheed formally called on the Health Minister Jill Hennessy to appeal to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Sussan Ley, to fund the provision of these services at Goulburn Valley Health, complementing the redevelopment of the hospital.

“Albury-Wodonga opened its cancer service in September.  It’s a $65mill facility, fully funded by the federal government under Victoria’s health pool, despite the fact that it is located across the border in East Albury,” Ms Sheed said.

“Shepparton has a local oncology service, thanks largely to philanthropic donations, which matched half of the Victorian government’s contribution. However, at $1.9 million and with only 12 chairs and 2 beds, it is a small service.

“Meanwhile, according to Cancer Victoria statistics to 2011, the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Greater Shepparton alone each year is double that of Wodonga,” Ms Sheed said.

Minister Hennessy agreed to take the matter further.

“I am absolutely more than happy to advocate to the Commonwealth, and explore what more can be done in respect of radiology services at Goulburn Valley Health,” Ms Hennessy said.

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-14 22:44:432020-02-07 02:45:40HEALTH MINISTER TO ADVOCATE FOR RADIOTHERAPY SERVICES

GMID LOOKS TO FUTURE

November 14, 2016/in Media Releases

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on the Federal and Victorian Governments to make adjustments to the Murray Darling Basin Plan to ensure that there are no more water buybacks from farmers and to remove the requirement to provide the additional 450GL of up water currently legislated for in the Plan.

She also called on both federal and state governments to work with communities in the GMID to help transition the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) to a future with less water.

It follows the release of the GMID Water Leadership Forum’s study into the socio economic impact of the Murray Darling Basin Plan last month, and the group’s Water Summit this morning.

“The study showed, without change to the Basin Plan, our viability as a prime irrigation District will be challenged, particularly during a drought,” Ms Sheed said.

“But even if we do have the change we would like to see with the Plan, we must concede, climate change is happening.

“The Water for Victoria Plan showed that we would have up to 20 per cent less runoff in streams by 2065, under a medium climate change projection, all while our population and therefore our water needs continue to grow,” she said.

“In our region the impact of the loss of water has been a gradual process, thereby masking the economic impacts, particularly through loss of jobs in the area.”

Ms Sheed has asked for governments to consider policies and programs which will ensure the region, and ultimately Victoria is better prepared for a drier future.

“We used to have major research centres based in the Shepparton District – they must be returned,” Ms Sheed said.

“The Tatura trellis is a great example of what can happen at a regionally-based research centre, but outside of that, our industries are doing great things, and exporting their products all over the world.

We call on both federal and state governments to work with our local communities throughout the GMID, to provide the resources to enable us to prepare for the future. Investment in innovation and change in our region will be a much better one than remedial action later on. It is important that we are able to prepare for our future, a future with less water,” Ms Sheed said.

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-14 03:38:132020-02-07 02:45:40GMID LOOKS TO FUTURE

WOOLWORTHS MUST STAND BY FRUIT DEAL

November 10, 2016/in Media Releases

Woolworths must abide by its 2014 agreement to source its canned fruit product from SPC Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed said in the Victorian Parliament this week.

“It was distressing to learn that the supermarket giant was reviewing its agreement with our local homegrown company, a company which has been an icon in the Shepparton district since 1917, and even more disappointing to learn that the tomato deal was axed less than twelve hours after the news broke,” Ms Sheed said.

“It is an agreement being disregarded only two years into what was a five-year, $70 million handshake, making it well beyond a huge disappointment, with ripples across the Goulburn Valley.

“A Woolworths spokesperson was quoted in the Herald Sun this week, stating the company regularly reviews its sourcing agreements to ensure it is getting great produce at the best value for its customers, but at what cost?

The headlines alone drive uncertainty through the fruit-growing community, as orchardists hear the echo of 2012, when SPC was forced to axe contracts just as orchardists were preparing trees for the next season,” she said.

Ms Sheed reflected on when the supermarket deal was struck in 2014, when SPC was in “dire straits”.

“The then Napthine government financed $22 million, with SPC’s parent company, Coca-Cola Amatil, investing a further $78 million to ensure the icon would remain.

“The Australian community rallied, the social media campaign #SPCSunday took off and sales of SPC products soared by more than 50 per cent in one week,” she said.

“People want Australian produce. When they pick up a can of fruit they want to know that it is clean, quality fruit, and the best way they can ensure that is by buying smart and buying local.

Here we see Woolworths failing to stand by a five-year deal when it should be securing future contracts for Australian-made produce,” she said.

“My understanding is the negotiations for the canned fruit products are ongoing, as part of an annual review.

“Our orchardists can’t afford to supply to the company at any cheaper rates, just as SPC can’t afford to supply to the supermarket at a lower cost.

“When the deal was struck in 2014, Woolworths said it was “standing beside” the SPC suppliers “for the long-term”.

It’s time for Woolworths to show it’s true support for the Aussie farmer,” Ms Sheed said.

 

Ends

Media contact

Sueanne McCumstie 0428 743 880│sueanne.mccumstie@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

Click here for PDF

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.jpg 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2016-11-10 21:56:422020-02-07 02:45:40WOOLWORTHS MUST STAND BY FRUIT DEAL

Pages

  • About Suzanna
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • COVID-19
  • Get Involved
  • Home
  • How Suzanna can help
  • Media Releases
  • News
  • Newsletters
  • Our Achievements
  • Our Vision
  • Out & About with Suzanna
  • Parliament
  • Photos
  • Request A Congratulatory Message
  • Shepparton District
  • Subscribe to our newsletter

Categories

  • Blog
  • Latest News
  • Media Releases
  • Newsletters
  • Parliament
  • Uncategorized

Archive

  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015

Get in touch with Suzanna

Share this page and show your support.

Subscribe

5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton
T 03 5831 6944
E suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

Keep up-to-date.
Follow us on social media.

Get in touch with Suzanna

Share this page and show your support.

5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton
T 03 5831 6944   F 03 5831 6836
E suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

Keep up-to-date.
Follow us on social media.

Scroll to top
Subscribe to our newsletter