Time to act...
- Please find time to read and email before Friday the 18th January –
WATER YES – DESAL NO !
As many may know the Victorian state Gov. is endevouring to build the largest desal plant in the southern hemisphere on the beautiful Bass coast…one that many of you may know… A coast that in the last 2months alone has had humpback,killer and southern right whales sighted, penguins,seals, fish feed off these waters and estauries etc etc – foul the foodchain and it can’t be good….
This proposed development will provide 150million litres of water to Melbourne/Geelong each year BUT…
- dump 200million litres of salty brine offshore at the mouth of the beautiful Powlett river and associated wetlands annually.
- create 30,000tonnes of iron rich landfill annually.
- burn electricity/CO2 equivalent to an extra ~280,000cars on the road annually…
If you live in the Melbourne/Geelong area your water will be owned by an international company negotiating their own rates for which the gov. will buy it from them.
Every home in Melb has 6-8times the water it uses fall on it’s own roof (clean & free forever) – it’s estimated if 60% of these homes had tanks there would be no water issue in Melbourne what so ever…
Concerned about drinking recycled water ? Countless cities in europe run on recycled water… a couple of the smaller upper reserviors of Melb already have recycled water from treatment plants feeding back into their catchments…
What about stormwater manangement/reticulation ? redefining how industries use/waste drinking water…
There are numerous options that many believe are more cost effective and sustainiable.
So finally the gov. is agreeing to do an Enviromental Impact Statement (EIS)..of sorts…one over a very very short period…ridiculous, as it should be much longer to evaluate the effects of things such as seasonal currents and migrations of birds,fish,whales etc….
more info and updates check/bookmark
http://www.yourwateryoursay.org
Please take a moment to read about the issues involved and just send an email to the gov. before friday the 18th…
follow the info below. (it has has some hints on key things to include in your email for potentially more impact)
HERE
As stated in the above document if you can mention things such as threatened species marine or land that may be effected is a subject holding lots of weight.
Title your email “Victorian Desalination Project” reference number 2008/3948
Email – epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au
– other recent Victorian government environment/social issue backdowns -
Did Niddrie or the Mallee get toxic waste dumps promised by this very government ? ? Did Tarwin Lower/Bald hills and Dollar get wind farms ? – NO – you can have a say and make a difference – a better future and place for all generations to enjoy,wonder,play,fish,swim,surf,walk,sunbathe and learn !
oh and photograph,paint,draw dream and write about ! :-D
the majestic mouth of the Powlett River
part of the Inspirationally wild Bass Coast
dazgwen
Will do it right now Tony !!!!!!
Tony Middleton
thanks Darren ! everyone’s voice counts !
despite what agenda this gov. is running atm…it is a democracy…. (I know people about to be kicked off the coastal hideaways for this with no option)
Tony Middleton
I must re-iterate…
WATER YES – DESAL NO
there are better and cheaper alternatives ! this desal is the gov’s way of getting foreign industry to pay for the water ‘solution’ via Melbournian and Geelong-ites future INCREASED water rates to FOREIGN compaines at the cost of our (all Australian’s) environment.
Tallulah
Thanks Tony, I will also be sending a letter….it all helps as you say…power to the people…hopefully. I love that you are so passionate about this issue and as you say, the solution could be as easy as every home having a water tank….remember years ago when it was illegal to have water tanks…the government couldn’t charge us for our rainwater if we did…...that has come back and bitten them on their arses.
Tony Middleton
thanks so much for your thoughts and support Lisa ! Yeah it is very ironic isn’t it !
Imagine if those 60% of homes did have tanks the % of less run off/stormwater when it does rain washing rubbish,ciggie butts and crap into the bay could be reduced as well….
Brumby – wise up ! lol
but WE know that if this project goes ahead and its contracted out then the gov. is not paying for this so called ‘solution’ to melb/geelong water crisis…. the people are through their increasing water rates to foreign company that will own your water and trade it to the vic gov. as a comodity…HOW backwards can we get !
cheers
t :)
MattTworkowski
Thanks heaps for the info Tony I gave it to them with both barrels,cant believe in todays enviromental climate the government will continually pull stunts like this.I wont even get started on the channel deepening thing,cheers mate
Tony Middleton
cheers Matt – you legend – I love you work and thrive on your description knowledge and details. I was going to suggest a dive down here but if this goes ahead that will be stuffed as well !
Adrian Rachele
They will not happy until they make us pay for the air we breath.
Cheers for exposing this plan. Hard to get info about these things over here in the UK.
I do not see anything no the Getup site. Might be right up there alley. They are great for exposure.
Tony Middleton
thanks Adrian – feel free to have your say via the above info !
I have not heard of that site.. I will look tomorrow as its very late here for someone that has to get up in less than 5hrs for work…lol
Karen Cougan
thanks for sharing that Tony….....we come from Brisbane and we were down there on the weekend ….........I did go to the places in your pics and we were stunned at the beauty and even though we come from God’s own Land…....Queensland, you know perfect and all….......we were both amazed by your coast line there…..........We saw lots of signs on fences and really didn’t understand what it meant…..........thanks for enlightening us on this issue…..............We had no idea…...........good luck on your crusade and keep on taking those fabulous pics of the area…...........xkc