greens oppose second lot of draconian stop and search powers

Greens MLC, Sue Pennicuik

For the second time in seven months, the parliament has passed legislation to dramatically increase police powers to stop and search people. The Greens opposed the expansion of the laws in parliament yesterday as they opposed the first bill late last year.

"One of the worst aspects of the new laws is that police will now be able to search children of any age and people with impaired intellectual functioning, in an unplanned designated area, without a parent, guardian or independent person present," said Ms Pennicuik. "It is unbelievable to me the Labour, Liberal and National parties can vote to remove these protections just to make it easier for the police."

"This is an outrageous violation of human rights generally, the rights of the child and the rights of people with disabilities," Ms Pennicuik said. "It is completely unwarranted and simply indefensible."

Under the first set of increases to coercive powers, which came into effect in January, police were given the authority to randomly search citizens without reasonable belief, going even further than the UK anti-terrorist laws. The random search legislation is so broadly drafted it can also be applied to lawful protestors. The latest legislation relaxes even further the circumstances under which random searches of citizens may occur.

"In preparing to debate that bill I studied jurisdictions around the world that already have such regimes. It points to their ineffectiveness and the almost guaranteed negative outcomes of such legislation," she said. "Regrettably, the government ignored that wealth of research and has introduced laws that not only breach the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and responsibilities, but have also been shown to be ineffective."

During the debate last night Ms Pennicuik again moved a reasoned amendment to have the bill removed from Parliament until a comprehensive review of the new powers, introduced in January, could be undertaken.

"I moved this amendment, as I did previously under the first bill, because these are very serious issues, and our approach must be evidence based, not based on manipulation of the community anxiety," Ms Pennicuik said.

The legislation has also come under fire for removing several police reporting requirements.

"There is no justification for doing away with record-keeping," Ms Pennicuik said. "The government keeps saying, without evidence, that these powers are required. Well how will we know when the act no longer requires full record keeping?"

"It is unfathomable that the government is taking Victoria down this road particularly as Victoria enjoys a relatively low crime rate," Ms Pennicuik said. "The government's populist stance is resulting in negative outcomes for Victorians, with policies that simply do not address the causes of crime."

record investment in solar? record rate of pulling money out of solar!

Greens Senator Christine Milne

Far from their advertising slogan of 'record investments in solar and other renewables', the Labor government is pulling money out of solar power at a record rate, the Australian Greens said today.

In addition to the $220 million pulled out of the Solar Flagships program and $150 million from solar hot water rebates to fund cash for clunkers, the Greens have learned that the world renowned UNSW Centre for Excellence in Photovoltaic Research has been de-funded.

At the same time, the Liberals are proposing cuts to climate programs as part of their savings initiatives, leaving the Greens as the only party with credible policies for climate action.

"The government is cynically using Australians' love of solar power as an advertising slogan while ripping money out of what little funding programs they have," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"After three years of ALP government, the Australian renewable energy industry is still struggling to compete with entrenched coal while, around the world, renewables are booming.

"The renewable energy industry has lost count of the number of times new programs have been announced and suddenly disappeared, to be replaced with new labels which still don't receive the funding promised.

"The uncertainty this causes means investment has stalled, and jobs and opportunities lost.

"The UNSW Centre for Excellence is celebrated around the world for its innovation. It trained the world's first solar billionaire, Dr Zhengrong Shi.

"But with renewable energy clearly such a low priority for both the government and opposition, there is no direct funding of the centre and the ongoing research funding has not been renewed.

"Australian governments have repeatedly made millions available to coal companies and car companies. Why are they so reluctant to actually properly fund world-leading renewable energy innovation, even though they are happy to claim credit for doing so?

"The Centre for Excellence is an investment of a few million dollars a year to create some 70 jobs, a great global reputation and, of course, wonderful technologies that will help us tackle the climate crisis.

"The Greens are the only party that has the vision to take Australia beyond coal, looking to plan the transition to 100% renewable energy and implement the policies to get us there."

greens only party leading on climate change

Dr Richard Di Natale VICTORIAN GREENS

Voters looking for strong leadership are moving to The Greens after the major parties continue to play politics with climate change, says Dr Richard Di Natale, Greens Senate Candidate for Victoria.

"The Greens are the only party with the courage to take real action on climate change," says Dr Di Natale.

"Last night's debate exposed the monumental failure of leadership from both the old parties on an issue that Australians are deeply concerned about.

"This talk of citizens assemblies and green armies are just distractions from the real action this country needs on climate change – The Greens' carbon tax, which Labor's own advisor Ross Garnaut supports.

"The real winner of the leaders debate last night was long term Greens leader Bob Brown – both the new leaders, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, had their chance to show leadership on climate change, but chose instead to spout empty clichés."

Dr Di Natale's comments come after today's Galaxy Poll shows The Greens are on 15%, almost double what they polled in the 2007 election.

"Polls come and go, but I do feel a groundswell moving towards The Greens because voters wants leadership, and The Greens are the only party to provide it in this time of poll driven politics," says Dr Di Natale.

gillard "moving backwards" on climate crisis

Greens Senator Christine Milne

Prime Minister Gillard's climate change policy announced today is an excuse for more delay on the climate crisis, the Australian Greens said today.

"Prime Minister Gillard is showing a complete lack of leadership on the climate crisis," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"The Greens stand ready to work with a re-elected Gillard government to deliver a carbon price fast, and the community is clamouring for action, but the Prime Minister is making excuses for more delays instead of embracing the opportunity.

"Ms Gillard's announcement today does nothing to give certainty to business. Meanwhile, China is moving fast towards a carbon price and India already has a tax on coal, leaving Australia far behind.

"What we have heard from the Prime Minister is recycled rhetoric from the past four years, a repeat of Labor's old failed climate approach, not any commitment to real action.

"Ms Gillard's talkfest is nothing more or less than trying to re-educate the community about the fatally flawed emissions trading scheme.

"We already have 150 people being elected right now to debate and make decisions on climate change – it's called Parliament, Prime Minister.

"Leadership on climate would have seen the Prime Minister saying 'no more coal'. Instead, her promise on emissions standards for coal fired power stations is meaningless.

"There are 12 coal fired power stations on the books for Australia right now and Prime Minister Gillard's promise will not apply to these.

"The UK recently dropped its commitment to making new coal fired power stations 'carbon capture ready', acknowledging that it was meaningless. Instead they have committed to building no more coal fired power stations unless and until carbon capture is proven and adopted.

"Whilst the Greens welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of $1billion for the renewable energy grid, this is a drop in the ocean over 10 years. Compares it to the $2.5 billion already allocated to carbon capture and storage and it is patently nowhere near what is needed to drive a renewable energy revolution.

"For all of this year, the government has argued that it will not move on a carbon price because it does not have the Senate numbers to do so.

"Prime Minister Gillard is now saying that she will not support the Greens' proposal for a carbon levy even the Greens and Labor have the numbers to deliver one in the new Senate because we have to wait for her talkfest to finish.

"The community will not accept that excuse and neither will the Greens."

winter warmer dinner

You are invited to come and support the Dandenong Ranges Greens campaign for the federal seats of Latrobe & Casey by joining with us at our Winter Warmer Dinner. Enjoy delicious food, congenial company and live music.

Where: Earthly Pleasures Organic Cafe
1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
A short walk from the Belgrave train station

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When: Wednesday 11 August at 7pm

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Cost: $38 per head or $50 keen green

To Book online: http://www.jimreiher.com/

or email: dandenongrangesbranch@vic.greens.org.au

or phone: 0429 29 29 04

Featuring Jim Reiher Greens candidate for the federal seat of Latrobe

Brendan Powell Greens candidate for the federal seat of Casey and

Jo Tenner Greens candidate for the state seat of Monbulk

I'll be your MC for the night.

This event is hosted by the Dandenong Ranges Branch of the Greens with all funds raised going toward our Latrobe and Casey election campaigns.

replace hazelwood word spreads

Last weekend I joined with Dandenong Ranges community members concerned about Hazelwood Power Station. The event was part of the Replace Hazelwood National Day of Action.















I was joined by over 30 locals who staged a sit in and then marched around Belgrave to highlight the issue.

Hazelwood Power Station, originally commissioned in 1959, is the developed world's dirtiest power station, responsible for 15% of Victoria's total greenhouse gas emissions and 3% of Australia's emissions.

In speaking to the group I talked about the alternatives to coal fired energy including wind and solar, with already proven technologies and the need to start planning a transition. I also talked about the need for a comprehensive energy retrofit across the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. Efficiency measures implemented in smelters would translate into important reductions in energy consumption.

The development of alternative fuels and small scale electricity generation are also part of the mix, not to mention compliance ratings for energy efficient buildings.

I went on to talk about the Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan, published by the Melbourne University Energy Institute and Beyond Zero Emissions.

A peer reviewed plan, it maps out a transition to 100% renewable energy in the space of 10 years. It is a plan that must be looked at seriously by government as a way to make the deep and necessary cuts to greenhouse gas emissions that the scientists are telling us we need to make.

The people of the Dandenong Ranges came out to show that they want to see a transition from coal fired power to renewable energy. We need a positive response to support our energy needs into the future. That's a future based on renewable energy and a reinvigorated manufacturing industry. What we need is a transition plan out of old fossil fuel technologies to a bright new and secure future in the manufacturing and the renewable energy sector.

in the press - replace hazelwood

Protest highlights power station
By Tania Martin
Mail Newspapers
20 Jul 2010

greens announce junk food and alcohol advertising levy

The Australian Greens have called for a levy on junk food and alcoholadvertising similar to the levy which has applied in France since 2004.

Launching the policy with Victorian Greens Senate candidate, Dr Richard di Natale in Melbourne today, Greens leader Bob Brown said thea dvertisers could choose the option of including health information in their advertising or pay the levy.

"This type of levy has been working in France since 2004. Australiashould not allow junk food and alcohol companies to make billions at the expense of the health and well being of Australians," Senator Brown said.

"The alcohol industry spends $109 million on advertising per year while fast food companies are among the top 50 advertisers in Australia, spending around $165 million on advertising per year."

"At the same time the costs to individuals and the community as a result of consumption, in terms of health effects, social costs and lost productivity, of these products is enormous. Alcohol use in Australia costs $15.3 billion and obesity costs are estimated to be around $58.2 billion," Dr Di Natale said.

The levy could potentially raise around $4 million in revenue for A Health Promotion Advertising Fund, under the National Preventive Health Agency. It would be used to provide health information to consumers through social marketing campaigns," said Dr Di Natale.

The Greens will introduce legislation to:
* Introduce a requirement to include health information on alcohol and junk food advertising (the standards and nature of the health information to be determined by a National Preventive Health Agency);
* Provide advertisers with an option to pay a 1.5% levy on alcohol and junk food advertising rather than include the informationthemselves;
* Create a Health Promotion Advertising Fund to allocate the funds for health information and to replace alcohol or junk food sponsorshipin community sports clubs.

greens support building workers protesting abcc

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert

The Australian Greens today put their support behind the building and construction workers rallying around Australia for the removal of the undemocratic building and construction laws at the time when a worker is facing goal for taking a stand against the ABCC.

"The Greens remain committed to the principle of one law for all workers. Australians working in the building and construction sector should not be singled out for more punitive treatment," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for Employment and Workplace Relations says the Building Construction Industry Improvement legislation has now been in operation longer under the Labor Government that it was under the Howard regime.

"The Greens have proven our commitment to workplace equality, but the Government and Coalition have failed to do so. We helped negotiate the end of Work Choices and we will not be letting the Government 'forget' about its promise on the ABCC.

"The ALP Government was elected to remove inequality in Australian workplaces. That commitment was made to thousands of Australian workers and their families and it cannot be ignored.

"The Greens continue to be the only party truly standing up for the rights of building workers in this country," concluded Senator Siewert.

preferences – take control of your vote

FICTION: A vote for The Greens is just a vote for Labor

FICTION: If you vote Green, you 'risk' Tony Abbott.

FACT: Your vote is your choice. You determine where your preferences go.

If the Greens are not elected, it is you, not any political party, who determines where your vote goes.

The Greens want to make sure that everyone can make a formal vote that best reflects their political wishes. The How-To-Vote cards that the Greens and the other parties will give you are guides, and you can choose whether or not to follow them.

Take control of your vote – click here to read how.

abbott ignorant on climate: india and china leaving australia behind

Greens Senator Christine Milne

Greens' response to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's comments at a press conference this afternoon, that China and India would not introduce a carbon price so Australia would not have to do so:

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said:

"Tony Abbott, leader of the party of miners and deniers, clearly has no idea about what is going on with climate action around our region.

"While both Labor and Liberals dig us deeper and deeper into coal, China and India are leaving us behind. Cornering the market in coal while the world powers ahead with renewables and efficiency is about as short-sighted as it gets.

"India has already introduced a tax on coal - both domestic and imported - with the revenue to be invested in renewable energy developments. China is powering ahead of Australia in closing polluting industry and investing in renewables and efficiency.

"As developing countries, neither China nor India should be expected to act before Australia does, and yet they are both leaving us far behind them.

"If Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard continue saying Australia won't act until developing countries act, they will ensure that Australia keeps undermining moves to a global treaty. That will do none of us any favours."

Consensus with deniers and polluters is 'Waiting for Godot'

"The Prime Minister's insistence on 'consensus' is increasingly being seen as an excuse for delay and denial. She is 'Waiting for Godot' and she knows it if she wants consensus from the deniers and the big polluters.

"Julia Gillard should sideline the deniers in the Coalition and polluting industry and move to consensus with those who want action. The Greens stand ready to act with a carbon tax on the biggest polluters which can start as soon as next year."

For more on India's coal tax click here.

in the media – replace hazelwood national day of action

Replace Hazelwood NDA – Belgrave Protest

Indymedia

By Flowerpower

17 Jul 2010

our disappearing forests community forum in Warburton

OUR DISAPPEARING FORESTS . . .

WHY SAVING OUR FORESTS MEANS SECURING OUR FUTURE

A Community Forum with guest speakers and presenters,

sponsored by Warburton Environment

When: SATURDAY 24TH JULY, 1PM-4PM

Where: MECHANICS HALL, UPPER YARRA ARTS CENTRE, WARBURTON

This forum is an opportunity for our local community to hear and be informed about what is happening and being planned for logging in our Central Highlands native forests from a range of perspectives, and what are the consequences for our community, our environment and our future industries.

Invited speakers include representatives from environmental groups, The Shire of Yarra Ranges, all major political parties and forest industry representatives.

Confirmed presenters include Steve Meacher (MC- Chairman Healesville Environment Watch), Christian Nielsen (Warburton Environment), Sarah Rees and Adam Menary (My Environment,) Samantha Dunn (Shire of Yarra Ranges, The Greens), Bernie Mace (Friends of Mt St Leonard) and Chris Taylor (architect).

Questions to be addressed include "should our native forests be logged for wood chips" and "what are the consequences of clear fell logging in the Central Highlands forests and Melbourne's water catchments?" How does this contribute to climate change, species extinction, carbon reduction and water conservation? What is the future for local industries, including tourism, logging and sustainable businesses?

For more info email warburtonenvironment@bigpond.com

greens offer stable leadership, climate change action

Greens Senator Bob Brown

"A strong safe crossbench in the Senate"

"I offer the electorate experienced and stable leadership, and the progressive policies and clear vision for Australia's future which the big parties are ignoring," Australian Greens Leader Senator Brown said in Canberra today.

"Moving forward will mean a carbon tax on polluters; bringing home safely Australia's troops from Afghanistan; a universal dental care scheme; humane treatment of asylum seekers in Australia; protecting our forests and wildlife."

"This election is also about the Senate and a strong crossbench delivering better outcomes for Australians. The Greens are the responsible alternative to a deadlocked Abbott controlled Senate."

"The Greens will campaign strongly on environmental issues including climate change action, the creation of marine national parks, protecting native forests and wildlife and saving the Darling Downs farmlands from 40,000 coal seam gas drill holes and open cut coalmines," Senator Brown said.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown flew to Canberra from Sydney this morning to get the Greens' national campaign off to a flying start.

Senator Brown, who spoke last night to a packed campaign dinner in Sydney for Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon MLC, will be in Canberra and Hobart on Sunday, and Adelaide on Tuesday morning.

taxpayer funded labor government health television ads should stop immediately

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert

Taxpayer funded television spots advertising the Labor Government's health package should be taken immediately off air said Australian Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert today.

The advertisements for the Government's updated health package were still on air after noon on Saturday 17th July.

"Those advertisements should have been pulled weeks ago and the money spent on mental health," said Senator Siewert.

"Now the election has actually been called there is no excuse for this misuse of public money.

"The Government should withdraw them immediately.

"Prime Minister Julia Gillard should tell the public how much these advertisements have cost all together."

replace hazelwood event in belgrave

Be part of the Hazelwood National Day of Action
Saturday July 17
10.30AM to 11 AM only

Meet in front of Safeway Belgrave (Main St. Belgrave)

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Bring a chair, a sit in will be held outside James Merlino's office at 1635 Burwood Highway Belgrave.

Jo Tenner, Greens candidate for Monbulk and Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria will be speaking.

Please bring your own folding chair and if possible, a 'Replace Hazelwood' sign. You definitely need a chair for this unique and very brief event.

Concerned about climate change - come along and show your support.

there is no substitute for carbon price action now – greens

Senator Bob Brown

The Australian Greens want action now on a carbon price set by legislation as critical for climate change action Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Canberra today.

"Energy efficiency, renewable energy measures and saving forests – as already put to Parliament by the Greens - are needed but are not substitutes for a carbon price," said Senator Brown.

"There is an estimated $50 billion investment in electricity production awaiting a carbon price signal.

"We are ready to set this signal with either a Gillard or Abbott Government after the election.

"However the Gillard delay until 2012 and worse still, the Abbott delay until 2015, before putting the price mechanism to Parliament is not on.

"It leaves business uncertain.

"It leaves the Australian electorate fearful of failure on climate change.

"The Greens' option of the Garnaut-style carbon tax set up to facilitate a future carbon trading scheme is now the live option around which political debate will take place," Senator Brown said.

greens to jump start the drive to electric cars

Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria Samantha Dunn today announced a new election policy on electric cars which will jump start the drive to electric vehicles, including $75 million in new funding.

The funding, which partially restores cuts made by the Federal Government to the Green Car Innovation fund, will be invested in electric vehicle development and trials, as well as recharging infrastructure.

Electric cars are a great way to secure a clean future for the Latrobe Valley. We see the rest of the world moving towards electric vehicles, but Australia is being left behind. If we want to transform to a clean energy economy, electric vehicle manufacturing provides workers and families in the Latrobe Valley with long term clean energy jobs.

Only last month the conservative government in Germany announced a plan to put a million electric vehicles on the road. Electric cars are central to moving to a clean energy economy.

We've seen little support for families in the Latrobe Valley in the existing fossil fuel industries, long term investment in the valley and into manufacturing will secure a bright future for communities and return apprenticeship training to the valley.

The Federal Labor government has cut $200 million from the green car fund and is focused on existing fossil fuel technology. The Greens want to change that.

14% of Australia's carbon pollution comes from transport and 70% of our liquid fuel is sourced overseas. Moving to electric vehicles, along with investments in public transport, will mean we can cut climate pollution, increase our energy security and keep a car industry in Australia.

A shift to electric cars powered with clean energy will also enable better management and storage of renewable energy using a smart grid.

We want a secure future for people in the Latrobe Valley, creating new manufacturing industries is a way of securing that future.

To move forward Australia needs a plan for the transition to electric cars. The Greens want to work with Federal, State and local governments to develop a comprehensive regulatory and industry policy for electric vehicles.

in the press – no marina in mornington

Mornington residents rally against harbour revamp

Mornington Peninsula Leader

by Nadja Poljo

5 Jul 2010

heritage listing is meaningless as heritage property is bulldozed

Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik

Greens spokesperson for Roads and Ports and member for Southern Metropolitan Region, Sue Pennicuik expressed dismay today as Linking Melbourne Authority (LMA) brought forward its plans to bulldoze part of the heritage listed Westerfield property, despite an appeal, which could result in less of the land being needed, still pending.

"I understand that the Frankston Council will be considering a motion tonight to ask LMA to wait for the outcome of the appeal," Ms Pennicuik said. "If LMA goes ahead today regardless, then that shows all Victorians that there is no due process when it comes to the road lobby.

"We now know that Heritage Victoria listing on a property or piece of valuable bushland is totally meaningless because 1) a permit can still be granted to bulldoze a freeway through them, and 2) even though an appeal has been lodged under the legislation, works can still proceed despite the appeal still pending," she said.

"The whole process around this unnecessary and expensive freeway has been flawed from the start when the consideration of public transport and other viable road upgrade options were excluded from the EES study," she said. "The Peninsula Link is little more than a 'make work' project for the LMA. It should have been abandoned when it became clear how much biodiversity will be lost along its 22km route, including habitat for the southern brown bandicoot at the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve."

"Now we hear that Joyce and Simon Welsh, owners of the historic Westerfield property in the Green Wedge south of Frankston, were notified that clearing will begin today, on 2.656 ha of the pristine remnant bushland on their property," she said. "The proposed freeway alignment will destroy most of the remnant bushland including a dam immediately south of Robinson's Road, which provides habitat for the Great Egret and other visiting birds. This should never have been allowed under the heritage listing."

I call on the Transport Minister Tim Pallas and Environment Minister Jennings to halt the bulldozing until the Heritage Council makes its decision and until vegetation offsets are in place. The Heritage Council decision could see the reduction of the area of bushland to be destroyed and could require compliance with conditions regarding the minimisation of vegetation removal and the relocation of rare plants.

"Last month, I visited the Willow Road Reserve after known populations of sugar gliders, birds and arboreal frogs were deprived of habitat or killed and hollow trees marked for retention or relocation as habitat trees were destroyed," she said.

another missed opportunity for national 10c container deposit scheme

Greens Senator Scott Ludlum

Today's meeting of environment ministers in Darwin represents a missed opportunity for the Federal Government to finally act on establishing a national Container Deposit Scheme, the Australian Greens say.

"Although progress was achieved on a number fronts, there is more stalling on bringing in a nationwide beverage container deposit scheme with the Council deciding to undertake a Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement," said Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

"This initiative has been smothered under studies for years, and this decision means further delay on a scheme we know can work and is cost effective.

"South Australia is obvious proof of this. The Northern Territory has moved to start a scheme next year, and NSW says it will proceed to create one. It's time for the Federal Government to catch up.

"I am pleased that the Commonwealth has finally relented to our calls to release the previously 'secret' reports which back an Australia-wide scheme.

"The Regulatory Impact Scheme must be the final word: now it's time to get on with it," Senator Ludlam said.

To read about the Shire of Yarra Ranges advocacy on CDL click here.

no marina for mornington

Yesterday I went to the No Marina public gathering on Mother's Beach in Mornington. Over 200 community members gathered to express their concern about a proposed Marina development and planning scheme amendment, which if approved, would see a 210 boat Marina constructed in Mornington Harbour with a 210m long concrete wave screen wall, rising 4m above high tide and extensions to the heritage listed Mornington Pier.

There's no doubting that Mornington Harbour is an iconic part of Melbourne, not only to those who live locally but to visitors too. To think a 4 metre high wave wall would extend into such a beautiful vista is appalling.

The public meeting included speakers who addressed a full range of implications should the Marina proposal go ahead. Concerns were raised by local environmentalists, the Blue Wedge coalition and Master Mariner, Alan Clark.

I spoke about the importance of the planning scheme and how community members should base their concerns using the planning scheme.

The Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme Clause 21.03 says "Mornington Peninsula - Regional Role and Local Vision acknowledges the environmental values within the Mornington Peninsula and recognises that the Peninsula's coastal and foreshore areas are of special recreational significance in Melbourne". Already the council recognises the importance of the region.

The proposed planning scheme amendment would rezone the land from a Public Conservation and Resource Zone (PCRZ) to a Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ).

The harbor is currently zoned Public Conservation and Resource Zone "to indicate coastal areas and other public land with high environmental value and limited capacity to absorb development". This is the appropriate zoning and I think the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council got it right when they first zoned this area.

The last thing the community want to see is a rezoning to Public Park and Recreation Zone as this will give the green light "for the more intensively utilised areas of public land, including sections of the Port Phillip Bay foreshore".

Not only that the site has an Environmental Significance Overlay and a Heritage Overlay (HO228 Mornington Pier) which "aims to conserve and enhance heritage places of natural or cultural significance and ensure that development does not adversely affect the significance of heritage places".

It is a much loved community place however should the development go ahead it will become a place restricted and not available for the public to use.

The impacts are extensive and key to that is the impact on amenity, the planning scheme is all about amenity and I encouraged community members to make sure their submissions talked about the impact on their amenity.

We heard about the environmental impacts with Master Mariner, Alan Clark, talking about the inevitability of pollutants entering the environment and sand migration from the construction of the wave wall.

There is no doubt that the development would impact on users of Mother's Beach due to increased sand accumulation, increased number of boats and increased water pollution. Also of concern the increase in traffic and congestion.

I outlined the Greens position. The Greens believe that all planning decisions should give greater weight to environmental factors, to deliver sustainable, human-scaled, livable communities.

The Greens also believe that local communities and governments need ongoing, substantive, and meaningful opportunities to participate in planning decision-making.

The Greens want to create a public assessment process to be used prior to any alienation or change of use of public land.

The Greens want a strengthening of the Environmental Effects Statement process, to enable proposals that result in a loss of biodiversity or a reduction of the areas of parks and reserves to be blocked.

I explained that councillors must be open and fair minded to both objectors and the applicant and would not be able to publicly comment on the application, however I encouraged community members to continue to contact their councillors, make public submissions and continue to highlight the issue in the local media.

Ultimately it is up to Councillors to make the decision and it is important that community members keep in contact with them.

I wished the community well in their endeavours to stop the development and planning scheme amendment proceeding.

It is a beautiful place, a stunning vista. The proposed marina is an overdevelopment of the harbour which would see an inappropriate, intensive use of public space and be an ongoing blight on the landscape.

belgrave ‘replace hazelwood’ event

Be part of the July 17, National Day of Action

Saturday July 17
10.30AM to 11 AM only.
Meet in front of Safeway Belgrave (Main St. Belgrave)






















Greens Senator Scott Ludlum and Samantha Dunn in front of Hazelwood Power Station in 2009.

Please bring your own folding chair and if possible, a 'Replace Hazelwood' sign. You definitely need a chair for this unique and very brief event.

If you'd like to know more email pcook@wildcoast.net.au

If you are concerned about Climate Change then come along.

rising tides in port phillip bay – is channel deepening to blame?

Sue Pennicuik MLC

State Member of Parliament for Southern Metropolitan Region

"There have been growing reports of higher tides, beach erosion, faster currents and an increase in swell (surge from Bass Strait) since the Entrance to Port Phillip Bay was deepened," Greens MP, Sue Pennicuik said today.

The Office of Environmental Monitor (OEM) is reported1 as saying that there is no evidence to suggest that dredging is to blame for erosion at Portsea beach; and that the most likely explanation was natural erosion caused by the local impact of storms and seasonally high tides, exacerbated by the swell rolling in from Bass Strait.

"Tidal data that I have obtained from the Port of Melbourne Corporation and have had analysed, supports what so many residents, swimmers, divers and other businesses in the southern part of part Phillip Bay have been reporting since channel deepening: that tides are higher in the south of the Bay" said Greens MP, Sue Pennicuik today.

"Preliminary analysis of wind data from the past ten years suggests that wind beach erosion, particularly at Portsea was not caused by seasonal weather events alone," she said.

"I am very worried about the tidal changes that are being seen at many places round the south of Port Phillip Bay," said Ms Pennicuik. "It is one of the most serious effects of the channel deepening project that the government was clearly warned about at the time."

"The preliminary analysis that I am releasing today strongly suggests that the average daily high tides have increased significantly at four points in the south of the Bay, by much more than was predicted by the Port of Melbourne on the basis of 'expert advice' in the Channel Deepening Project (CDP) Supplementary Environmental Effects Study2. However, more data is needed about tides, swells, currents and weather events to be able to know for certain what is happening in the south of the Bay", Ms Pennicuik said.

"Unfortunately, the five metres of sea bed and rock can't be put back at the Entrance and Port Phillip Bay may be permanently damaged as a result of the expensive channel deepening project that we didn't need," she said.