Salt overload kills lakes' ecosystem – Greens

Greens candidate for Gippsland East Jill Redwood has accused the State government of thumbing their nose at the Gippsland Lakes communities, at environmental responsibilities and at the law.

Photo: A once common sight in spring, the Greens
say black swan populations are greatly reduced
since the dredging in 2008.
“Red tides, algal blooms and dead seagrass beds are a serious warning to us. The mass kill of shellfish, the disappearance of most swans, waterbirds and even the tough little water rats tell us that the lakes are in serious decline”, said Jill Redwood, Greens candidate for Gippsland East. “The Greens water policy recognises that healthy freshwater ecosystems are the lifeblood of a healthy landscape, and underpin the health of our communities and economies” she said.

“Many locals have noticed this latest death rattle of the Lakes. It could have been prevented if the local government authorities had have taken some advice, acted with caution and made a decision that favoured the community and Australia’s largest freshwater chain of lakes.

“But the government and local politician’s bull‐at‐a‐gate support for dredging the entrance has tripled the depth and ignored environment legislation. Even basic monitoring to understand impacts has been bypassed. The Lakes are now so salt laden they are toxic to its natural life.

“Without any consultation and without adhering to minimal regulations, a deep sea port has been constructed at Lakes Entrance at great cost to the Lakes. We were led to believe it’s for the fishing fleet, but evidence points to it primarily being to accommodate the needs of the offshore gas operations and Esso’s desire to have larger boats to service their rigs”.

“Now this disastrous decision has been executed, the Greens are urging the Brumby government to take urgent action and install barrage structures to protect Lakes King, Wellington and Victoria.

“The Greens in parliament have always spoken out against the close relationship between big business and government. Unless this is challenged, it will always skew our system of democracy. Corporate influences of political decisions often come at great environmental and social cost.


Further information: Jill Redwood, 5154 0145, jill.redwood@vic.greens.org.au
or Samantha Dunn 0429 29 29 04 or samantha.dunn@vic.greens.org.au