In a time when the focus should be on water recycling, water tanks, upgrading aging infrastructure, stormwater capture and mandatory water sensitive design why do we have a government hell bent on poor water policy for Victoria?
The message of water conservation has been well heeded by Melburnians, people have shown their willingness to change their habits and live more sustainably. But with the government emphasis on the desalination plant, which will supply 150 gigalitres (150 billion litres) of water, government has signalled that there will no longer be a need for water conservation, an appalling response, given the substantial environmental consequences.
A $3.5 billion desalination plant, $2 billion being underwritten by the state government, causing untold environmental damage, consuming huge amounts of energy, a $1 billion pipeline which steals water from the farmers and a river system that is already stressed after 13 years of drought – this is not good water policy for Victoria.
This week was a dark week for Victorians opposed to the desalination plant in Wonthaggi. A pristine coastal environment will be trashed, thousands of marine organisms destroyed, more than 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases will be emitted during its construction.
Victorians want sensible, sustainable water solutions to secure our water future.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
in the press - public transport
Monster' fight adds bite to Rowville Rail
Monash Journal
by Kirsten Leiminger
27 July 2009
Rail Fight Gathers Steam
Knox Journal
by Kirsten Leiminger
27 July 2009
Monster fight for rail line
Yarra Ranges Journal
by Kirsten Leiminger
27 July 2009
Monash Journal
by Kirsten Leiminger
27 July 2009
Rail Fight Gathers Steam
Knox Journal
by Kirsten Leiminger
27 July 2009
Monster fight for rail line
Yarra Ranges Journal
by Kirsten Leiminger
27 July 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
a bastion of bad decisions
The recent turn of events in the chamber of the East Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC) in relation to Bastion Point is yet another slap in the face to locals opposed to the construction of a large breakwater and boat ramp in Mallacoota.
In June, Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, approved a plan to construct the facility, ignoring out of hand the recommendations in the Environmental Effects Statement commissioned by the government’s own Independent Panel Inquiry.
The EES found significant issues with all of the proposed options to build the breakwater and boat ramp in that “there is no overall societal benefit in progressing these options further and they should be discarded”.
As to upgrading the existing ramp the EES panel recommends “The Panel does not consider that breakwaters should be considered in the minor upgrading of the existing ramp. The present ramp is generally considered to be too narrow. Any contemplated upgrade should review its width and consider options to widen it”.
There were also some other recommendations for further studies in relation to parking to ensure there’s not an oversupply, road layout to minimise visual intrusion, whether the road sloping to the beach requires sealing and whether beach parking should be restricted or prohibited, or more effectively and actively managed to improve circulation, safety and amenity.
The panel also recommended that the local council (EGSC) establish a broadly based community advisory committee and appoint an independent facilitator to assist in developing the detailed design of the minor upgrade of the existing ramp, consistent with the general scope some of which is above.
In the face of all of these recommendations the Minister turned a blind eye and recommended the option known as 3b (the panel said of this option “meets none of the evaluation objectives well and three highly significant objectives poorly. Overall it is unacceptable; having no demonstrated overall societal benefit, and should not be considered further.”)
The minister has given approval to the EGSC to proceed with this construction in the face of overwhelming community objection and EES advice.
Mallacoota is a pristine wild coast region of Victoria and should be maintained as that. The strength of Mallacoota as an eco-tourism destination should be encouraged, the development of a 130mt long breakwater and ocean access boat ramp is an unnecessary and unwanted overdevelopment of the region.
The most recent decision of the EGSC is another nail in the coffin of community aspirations. The council has voted to move ahead with option 3b even though the EES found it has no demonstrated overall societal benefit. Part of the most recent motion included the establishment of an advisory committee, made up of community members as well as Marine Safety Victoria.
All is not lost for the people fighting to oppose this overdevelopment of the area. It still needs final sign off from the Minister for Environment, Gavin Jennings. Let us hope that our Environment Minister acts for the environment and recognises this region for its true value as a pristine and special wild coast area of Victoria.
In June, Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, approved a plan to construct the facility, ignoring out of hand the recommendations in the Environmental Effects Statement commissioned by the government’s own Independent Panel Inquiry.
The EES found significant issues with all of the proposed options to build the breakwater and boat ramp in that “there is no overall societal benefit in progressing these options further and they should be discarded”.
As to upgrading the existing ramp the EES panel recommends “The Panel does not consider that breakwaters should be considered in the minor upgrading of the existing ramp. The present ramp is generally considered to be too narrow. Any contemplated upgrade should review its width and consider options to widen it”.
There were also some other recommendations for further studies in relation to parking to ensure there’s not an oversupply, road layout to minimise visual intrusion, whether the road sloping to the beach requires sealing and whether beach parking should be restricted or prohibited, or more effectively and actively managed to improve circulation, safety and amenity.
The panel also recommended that the local council (EGSC) establish a broadly based community advisory committee and appoint an independent facilitator to assist in developing the detailed design of the minor upgrade of the existing ramp, consistent with the general scope some of which is above.
In the face of all of these recommendations the Minister turned a blind eye and recommended the option known as 3b (the panel said of this option “meets none of the evaluation objectives well and three highly significant objectives poorly. Overall it is unacceptable; having no demonstrated overall societal benefit, and should not be considered further.”)
The minister has given approval to the EGSC to proceed with this construction in the face of overwhelming community objection and EES advice.
Mallacoota is a pristine wild coast region of Victoria and should be maintained as that. The strength of Mallacoota as an eco-tourism destination should be encouraged, the development of a 130mt long breakwater and ocean access boat ramp is an unnecessary and unwanted overdevelopment of the region.
The most recent decision of the EGSC is another nail in the coffin of community aspirations. The council has voted to move ahead with option 3b even though the EES found it has no demonstrated overall societal benefit. Part of the most recent motion included the establishment of an advisory committee, made up of community members as well as Marine Safety Victoria.
All is not lost for the people fighting to oppose this overdevelopment of the area. It still needs final sign off from the Minister for Environment, Gavin Jennings. Let us hope that our Environment Minister acts for the environment and recognises this region for its true value as a pristine and special wild coast area of Victoria.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
no desalination plant for victoria
I sent this letter to the Premier and various politicians today (see below). As our water crisis deepens we do not see leadership from our government.
We can secure water for Victoria, but desalination plants and pipelines are not a step in the right direction.
Dear Premier Brumby and other Parliamentarians,
I write to express my concern about the proposed desalination plant in Wonthaggi, Victoria. Given the environmental damage, massive greenhouse gas emissions generated from the desalination plant it is time to rethink water policy for the people of Victoria. Compounding the water crisis is the lack of water flow for the nearly completed North South Pipeline and the continued loss of water from years of logging in Melbourne's water catchments.
Not keen on the idea of drinking recycled water? Perhaps it is time for a serious rethink for Melbourne.
The offspring and feedstock of the sea creatures listed below, and some of the creatures themselves (penguins, salmon trout, crayfish, gulls) are small enough to fit through the grate at the end of the 4-metre wide intake pipe of the proposed Desalination Plant.
Whales Dolphins Penguins Octopus Seals Salmon Crayfish
Their future is looking bleak when they are sucked into the intake pipe along with 380,000 small marine organisms per second, crushed and sieved through potential drinking water, then dumped as landfill, at 50 tonnes per day.
Adding to this environmental devastation will be 8000 litres of toxic effluent per second, discharged onto a rock platform, now abundant with marine life, just 1km off the now pristine Williamson's Beach.
Just a few kilometres around the coast from Williamsons Beach, where the government plans to build the desalination plant, is this......
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=75
the magnificent Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park.
Mr Brumby and other members of the Victorian ALP,
- You didn't announce desal before the last election, in fact your leader of the time said "Recycling and conservation will secure Melbourne’s water supply ... The energy generation [of a desalination plant] is enormous, the intrusion on the community is enormous and, of course, it’s extraordinarily expensive ... really, what a hoax it is. We’re into long term solutions."
- You haven't released a business case
- You didn't test it against alternatives during the EES
- You don't have a mandate
- It will add to climate change & pollute our precious coastline
- Conservation, recycling and sustainable sources of water are what we want.
· With Melbourne's water capacity at only 26% and dropping, the time for rolling out the water tanks and dual-flush cisterns throughout Melbourne is NOW! The time for diverting recycled water from the Eastern Treatment Plant to the La Trobe Valley is NOW, it makes sense, it is not too expensive, your reported business case cost $3.9 billion doesn't stack up.
· The time for North-South Pipeline and large-scale Desalination is NEVER!
What we want from government is sensible water policy to secure Melbourne’s future water supply.
No pipeline, no desal plant, no logging our water catchments.
Recycling, upgrading aging infrastructure, mandatory water sensitive design, water efficiencies/conservation, stormwater capture and water tanks are our water future.
I urge the Victorian Government to abandon its poorly devised 'Water Plan'.
Do not sign contracts for the Victorian Desalination Plant. I look forward to your response to these matters I have raised.
This was sent to:
John Brumby, Tim Holding, Maxine Morand, Gavin Jennings, Ted Baillieu, Peter Ryan, Justin Madden, Greg Barber, Candy Broad, Peter Hall, Kaye Darveniza, Matthew Guy, David Koch, Jaala Pulford, Gordon Rich-Phillips, Philip Davis, Damian Drum, Wendy Lovell, John Lenders, Edward O'Donohue, Sue Pennicuik, Gayle Tierney, Peter Kavanagh, Brian Tee, Bob Brown, Kevin Rudd, Peter Garrett, Malcolm Turnbull, Greg Hunt, Tammy Lobato and James Merlino.
We can secure water for Victoria, but desalination plants and pipelines are not a step in the right direction.
Dear Premier Brumby and other Parliamentarians,
I write to express my concern about the proposed desalination plant in Wonthaggi, Victoria. Given the environmental damage, massive greenhouse gas emissions generated from the desalination plant it is time to rethink water policy for the people of Victoria. Compounding the water crisis is the lack of water flow for the nearly completed North South Pipeline and the continued loss of water from years of logging in Melbourne's water catchments.
Not keen on the idea of drinking recycled water? Perhaps it is time for a serious rethink for Melbourne.The offspring and feedstock of the sea creatures listed below, and some of the creatures themselves (penguins, salmon trout, crayfish, gulls) are small enough to fit through the grate at the end of the 4-metre wide intake pipe of the proposed Desalination Plant.
Whales Dolphins Penguins Octopus Seals Salmon Crayfish
Their future is looking bleak when they are sucked into the intake pipe along with 380,000 small marine organisms per second, crushed and sieved through potential drinking water, then dumped as landfill, at 50 tonnes per day.
Adding to this environmental devastation will be 8000 litres of toxic effluent per second, discharged onto a rock platform, now abundant with marine life, just 1km off the now pristine Williamson's Beach.
Just a few kilometres around the coast from Williamsons Beach, where the government plans to build the desalination plant, is this......
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=75
the magnificent Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park.
Mr Brumby and other members of the Victorian ALP,
- You didn't announce desal before the last election, in fact your leader of the time said "Recycling and conservation will secure Melbourne’s water supply ... The energy generation [of a desalination plant] is enormous, the intrusion on the community is enormous and, of course, it’s extraordinarily expensive ... really, what a hoax it is. We’re into long term solutions."
- You haven't released a business case
- You didn't test it against alternatives during the EES
- You don't have a mandate
- It will add to climate change & pollute our precious coastline
- Conservation, recycling and sustainable sources of water are what we want.
· With Melbourne's water capacity at only 26% and dropping, the time for rolling out the water tanks and dual-flush cisterns throughout Melbourne is NOW! The time for diverting recycled water from the Eastern Treatment Plant to the La Trobe Valley is NOW, it makes sense, it is not too expensive, your reported business case cost $3.9 billion doesn't stack up.
· The time for North-South Pipeline and large-scale Desalination is NEVER!
What we want from government is sensible water policy to secure Melbourne’s future water supply.
No pipeline, no desal plant, no logging our water catchments.
Recycling, upgrading aging infrastructure, mandatory water sensitive design, water efficiencies/conservation, stormwater capture and water tanks are our water future.
I urge the Victorian Government to abandon its poorly devised 'Water Plan'.
Do not sign contracts for the Victorian Desalination Plant. I look forward to your response to these matters I have raised.
This was sent to:
John Brumby, Tim Holding, Maxine Morand, Gavin Jennings, Ted Baillieu, Peter Ryan, Justin Madden, Greg Barber, Candy Broad, Peter Hall, Kaye Darveniza, Matthew Guy, David Koch, Jaala Pulford, Gordon Rich-Phillips, Philip Davis, Damian Drum, Wendy Lovell, John Lenders, Edward O'Donohue, Sue Pennicuik, Gayle Tierney, Peter Kavanagh, Brian Tee, Bob Brown, Kevin Rudd, Peter Garrett, Malcolm Turnbull, Greg Hunt, Tammy Lobato and James Merlino.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
jobs - fundraiser at earthly pleasures - 5 aug
Join with me and Dr Richard Di Natale (Green's Senate candidate) to hear about how we can secure a prosperous future for the country and tackle climate change at the same time.
Hear Richard talk about the Green economy, whilst my focus will be on Green jobs.
It will be a great night at Earthly Pleasures Cafe in Belgrave, $30 per head will get you a fabulous organic feast, music as well as Richard and I.
click on image for more info
If you'd like to make a booking contact:
samanthadunn@vic.greens.org.au
or
linda@webassets.com.au
or book online at
http://cgn.org.au/
Authorised by:
Linda Hamilton - The Australian Greens Victoria Inc
377 Little Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000
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