Greens candidate for Gippsland East, Jill Redwood, said that the Greens is the only party which has onsistently and actively supported the return of flows to the Snowy River. It is also the sole voice in Parliament that has spoken out for the low impact community plan to upgrade and protect Bastion Point.
“Sadly, the saga of the Snowy River highlights the Labor government’s contempt for the far flung voters of this electorate. This government has dishonored its own promises and its own law. We have seen a major betrayal on the Snowy,” said Jill Redwood. “The river is as parched as when our politicians promised to rescue it 10 years ago.”
“Last year we should have seen 15% of its natural flows returned and next year 21%. Just recently our political representatives celebrated a piddling 6% as a great achievement. It’s too grim to even laugh about”, said Ms Redwood. “Do irrigators across the range and the Snowy Hydro Corporation have more weight in the 'balancing act’ than East Gippsland or adhering to written laws?”
“The other 10 year battle has been for Mallacoota’s beautiful Bastion Point. Despite the majority of locals wanting a more sensitive and cost effective plan to upgrade the boat ramp, the $6.5 million industrial scale earthworks is supported by Mr Ingram and the Labor party. Although part of the Wilderness Coast, they want a breakwall, large scale clearing, roading and ongoing dredging.”
“The industrial upgrade would destroy a stunningly beautiful coastline”, said Ms Redwood. “Even the Supreme Court Judge commented during the legal challenge that the plan was overkill.”
"Minister Madden and Mr Ingram are both ignoring the advice of the Government’s independent expert panel. It tendered a 200 page report recommending that the proposal be abandoned due to the high risk of boats exiting and entering broadside to the waves, and the break-wall would inhibit visibility."
“The community’s low impact, engineer-endorsed plan is less than one-fifth the cost of the current plan. The Greens in Parliament supported this as it improves ocean access, upgrades the boat ramp, provides safety for all and maintains the beauty of Bastion Point."
“We need political representatives who are for the local community.”
For comment: Jill Redwood 5154 0145
Further information: Samantha Dunn 0429 29 29 04 or samantha.dunn@vic.greens.org.au
Showing posts with label bastion point. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bastion point. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
mallacoota fight dismissed by court
Last Thursday was a dark day for the community who have been tirelessly campaigning against the construction of a large breakwater and boat ramp at Bastion Point, Mallacoota. The latest Supreme Court decision is disappointing for locals who’ve campaigned hard to see the development stopped.
“The Planning Minister, true to form, once again turned his back on local communities and gave the approval to proceed with this construction in the face of overwhelming community objection and EES advice”The Minister for Environment, Gavin Jennings, now has the final say as to whether the project goes ahead. What is hard to believe is that Planning Minister, Justin Madden recommended the option that “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,” (according to the EES panel).
“The Planning Minister, true to form, once again turned his back on local communities and gave the approval to proceed with this construction in the face of overwhelming community objection and EES advice,” said Samantha Dunn, Greens Upper House Candidate for Eastern Victoria.
Mallacoota is a pristine wild coast region of Victoria and should be maintained as that. 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 Justice Robert Osborn is another nail in the coffin of community aspirations. 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,” said Samantha.
“Let us hope that the Environment Minister acts for the environment and the people and recognises this region for its true value as a pristine and special wild coast area of Victoria. “
Will the government do what is right and just to reject this unwanted overdevelopment?
“The Planning Minister, true to form, once again turned his back on local communities and gave the approval to proceed with this construction in the face of overwhelming community objection and EES advice”The Minister for Environment, Gavin Jennings, now has the final say as to whether the project goes ahead. What is hard to believe is that Planning Minister, Justin Madden recommended the option that “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,” (according to the EES panel).
“The Planning Minister, true to form, once again turned his back on local communities and gave the approval to proceed with this construction in the face of overwhelming community objection and EES advice,” said Samantha Dunn, Greens Upper House Candidate for Eastern Victoria.
Mallacoota is a pristine wild coast region of Victoria and should be maintained as that. 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 Justice Robert Osborn is another nail in the coffin of community aspirations. 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,” said Samantha.
“Let us hope that the Environment Minister acts for the environment and the people and recognises this region for its true value as a pristine and special wild coast area of Victoria. “
Will the government do what is right and just to reject this unwanted overdevelopment?
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.
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