Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan launched a new campaign today urging Victorians to avoid risk-taking behaviour such as driving, swimming or playing in floodwater.

Mr Ryan said the important initiative was part of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) FloodSafe Week campaign running from 30 April to 6 May and would encourage flood risk awareness and preparedness.

“Floodwater is dangerous, you don’t know what you are getting into,” Mr Ryan said.

“We have seen first-hand the devastating effects flooding has had on our community and risk-taking behaviour like driving, swimming or playing in floodwater is just asking for trouble.”

Mr Ryan said from earlier this year widespread flooding had isolated communities, inundated homes and closed hundreds of roads in one of the wettest periods on record for some regions since the late 1800s.

“In the last 18 months alone, both regional and metropolitan Victoria has been hit by extreme and unprecedented rainfall, causing some of the worst floods in the state’s history,” Mr Ryan said.”

Mr Ryan said during the last three major flooding events in Victoria calls for help to the SES jumped ten-fold.

“The message is clear – don’t be fooled. Floodwater may look innocent and placid on the surface, but underneath it is a completely different story. It can change in a minute without warning,” Mr Ryan said.

“Driving through floodwater is the number one cause of adult deaths during floods and playing or swimming in floodwater is just as dangerous, and is the number one cause of child and teenage deaths during floods.

“Aside from the risk of death, floodwater is full of churning toxic waste and hidden debris such as barbed wire and tree branches.

“Even shallow water has enough force to wash your car completely off the road. Once you have lost traction, there is nothing you can do. You can become trapped within seconds.”

Mr Ryan said a new Victorian Government-funded advertising campaign would feature during FloodSafe Week to highlight the hidden dangers lurking within floodwater.

“The catch phrase of this campaign is ‘You don’t know what you’re getting into’, highlighting dangers and targetting risk-taking behaviour such as driving, riding, or playing in floodwater,” Mr Ryan said.

In conjunction with the campaign, SES volunteers will hold events in and around local communities to raise awareness about the dangers of floodwater.

For more information about FloodSafe Week go to www.ses.vic.gov.au.

Media contact: Clare Siddins 0429 507 541  Read More

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan was on hand at the 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo today to launch an innovative calendar highlighting local events in the Shire of Moorabool.

Mr Ryan said the unique calendar, 365 Days in Moorabool, was designed to highlight exciting opportunities available year-round in the region and help attract both visitors and new residents to the area.

“The calendar showcases so many excellent examples of the kind of celebrations and community events that regional Victoria has to offer,” Mr Ryan said.

“Moorabool plays host to a wonderfully diverse range of events from Oaks Day at the Plough in Myrniong to the Blackwood Spring Antiques Roadshow and the Titanic Ball at Ballan.”

Mr Ryan said the Strawberry and Cherries Festival at Bacchus Marsh, the Ballan Feast and the Autumn Festival at St Erth in Blackwood were particularly popular and highly anticipated events.

“This is the first time the tourism and events industries have worked together on such a calendar to highlight the all-year-round benefits of coming to live in a regional community such as Moorabool,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said Victorian Government funding of $20,000 was provided to the Moorabool Shire Council to help with their Regional Living Expo campaign and the development of the calendar.

“The Victorian Government is providing $3 million over four years to support the Regional Living Expo, which is a one stop shop for Melburnians to find out about the numerous advantages of living in regional and rural Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring Victoria’s regional and rural areas are an ideal alternative to metropolitan centres.”

The 2012 Regional Living Expo is taking place this weekend, April 27 to 29, at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, with free entry.

For more information visit: www.rdv.vic.gov.au/expo.

Media contact: Clare Siddins 0429 507 541 Read More

Twenty-five local sporting organisations from across Gippsland South have been awarded grants of up to $2,500 under the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation 2011/12 Active Clubs Program, Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan announced today. Read More

A co-ordinated strategy to crack down on farm crime and livestock theft was officially launched at the inaugural state conference of the Victoria Police Livestock and Farm Crime Specialist Group in Echuca today.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan officially opened the conference saying farming communities had welcomed the new focus on stamping out livestock and farm crime.

“Last financial year there were 250 recorded offences of livestock theft across Victoria, worth an estimated $1.7 million,” Mr Ryan said.

“This growing problem is now receiving the focus needed to prosecute thieves and criminals taking advantage of Victoria’s farmers.

“This important two-day event will be held twice a year to ensure Victoria’s team of 42 specialist Agricultural Liaison Officers (ALOs) build knowledge and specialist skills in this important area of policing.

“Farming industry representatives will be on-hand to help educate ALOs and ensure they have the skills, intelligence gathering and professional networks needed to investigate, prosecute and prevent these sorts of crimes.”

Mr Ryan said the Livestock Theft and Farm Related Crime Strategy 2012-15 would provide the framework for Victoria Police’s offensive against farm crime.

“The strategy will focus on four key areas; prevention, intelligence, enforcement and integrated operations,” Mr Ryan said.

“It also aims to build partnerships between police and industry at a local level to reduce the opportunity for these sorts of crimes.

“A strategic advisory group will be established to work with agencies to develop state-wide crime prevention programs for farmers and other regional Victorians.

“Under the strategy, Victoria Police will also establish an online ‘information hub’ to provide training to ALOs and access to up-to-date information on local crime issues.”

Mr Ryan said the delivery of targeted resources to crack down on livestock and farm crime offences was a key part of the Coalition’s regional law and order agenda during the 2010 election.

“It is pleasing to see this important initiative starting to make a real difference in regional and rural communities,” Mr Ryan said.

Media contact: Clare Siddins 0429 507 541  Read More

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan joined Victoria Police and community representatives in Elmore today to celebrate the official opening of the town’s new $400,000 police station. Read More