Environment Victoria News · 2019-11-13 · FRONT COVER IMAGE: Frankston’s ... Farm near Kerang....

Environment Victoria NewsM O B I L I S I N G P E O P L E T O S A F E G U A R D O U R E N V I R O N M E N T ISSUE 30 • SPRING 2018

Join the electioncampaign!

PLUSAGL’s dirty gas plan exposed

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UNPRECEDENTED HEATWAVES ANDwildfires in the northern hemispherewhile bushfires rage through winter inVictoria – it’s never been clearer thatwe have a climate emergency on our hands.

That’s why November’s state electionis so important. This is our chance tomake sure that our next stategovernment becomes the globalleader we need to tackle climatechange and restore our environment.

With your support we’re running thebiggest election campaign for ourenvironment ever seen in Victoria, andit’s starting to pay dividends. In recentweeks the Andrews governmentannounced a plan to put solar on650,000 Victorian homes over the nextdecade and to create jobs in the

Latrobe Valley to drive this program. As I write the Premier has just

announced the results of the firstVictorian Renewable Energy Targetauction: six massive new wind and solar farms, which will lowerpower prices and create hundreds ofjobs. The Greens have announced acomprehensive plan to power the statewith 100 percent renewable energy by2030. The Coalition hasn’t yet joinedthe race to the top, but there’s stilltime to convince them.

That’s where you come in. We’vecommitted to making 100,000 calls tovoters in key seats, letting them knowwhere the main parties stand onprotecting our environment. This willkeep up the pressure on critical issues,like having a plan to repower Victoria

with renewable energy andimplementing the Great ForestNational Park. It will also make surethat climate change and theenvironment is top of mind whenVictorians cast their vote in November.

Can you join us in making historyand turning Victoria into a globalleader for our environment? The mostimportant thing you can do right now is to help us make these phonecalls – find out how and where on thenext page.

Thanks for your support and foreverything you do to bring about abetter world. As some of you alreadyknow, this will be my last Environment

Victoria News as CEO – read more onpage 14. Let’s make the environmentcount this election.

Mark Wakeham, Chief Executive Officer

Editorial

Environment Victoria NewsM O B I L I S I N G P E O P L E T O S A F E G U A R D O U R E N V I R O N M E N T ISSUE 30 • SPRING 2018

Join the electioncampaign!

PLUSAGL’s dirty gas plan exposed 3 4

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I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Environment Victoria NewsIssue 30, Spring 2018

Design 2Fish Productions

Print Digital House

Contributing writersMark Wakeham, Dean Rizzetti, Nick Aberle,Juliet Le Feuvre, Emma Horsburgh, Cat Nadel,

Erwin Jackson, Jonathan Storey, Anne Martinelli,Heather Bruer, Jane Stabb, Adele Neale.

Editor Greg Foyster, Alex Merory(03) 9341 8125 [email protected]

Sub-editor Jenny Lee

Membership enquiries (03) 9341 8100 [email protected]

Media enquiries (03) 9341 [email protected]

Environment Victoria News is an Environment Victoria publication. For more information, visitwww.environmentvictoria.org.aufacebook.com/environmentvictoria

@EnviroVic

Vic kicking goals onrenewables

Breakthrough still needed for our forests

Beyond Canberra’s NEGligence

On the election trail

AGL’s dirty gas plan

CAMPAIGN UPDATEEPA limits on climate pollution

CAMPAIGN UPDATEThreatenedspecies

Dial 1 forclean energy

Victoria is kicking goals for clean energy and action on climate change, and together we can lock in and extend this inspiring progress.

Authorised by M. Wakeham, CEO, EnvironmentVictoria, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, 3053.

Printed by Digital House, 70 Wirraway Dr, Port Melbourne VIC 3207.

FRONT COVER IMAGE: Frankston’s Repower Victoria Hub is the volunteer headquarters for our state election campaign. PHOTO BY JULIAN MEEHAN.

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, VICTORIAhas made incredible progress on tacklingclimate change and building more cleanenergy. From retiring Hazelwood powerstation to establishing a VictorianRenewable Energy Target (the VRET), ourstate has taken the lead. Plus with Labor’slatest announcement of support for theinstallation of solar panels for 650,000homes across the state, there is a lot to beproud of.

We’ve been able to achieve thisbecause the overwhelming majority ofVictorians support clean energy, andthey’re willing to stand up for it with theirvoices and their votes.

We’ve built support across the stateover many years, but our electioncampaign focuses on four communities inMelbourne’s southeast – Frankston,Carrum, Mordialloc and Bentleigh. Theseare four of the most marginal seats in thestate.

Because these seats decide elections,politicians look closely at the issues thatmatter to people here. This means we cansupersize our impact by building supportfor clean energy in these communities.

Research from Sustainability Victoriashows that four out of five Victorianssupport the VRET and want to live in astate that is leading the way on climatechange. But not many people actuallyknow where the major parties stand onthese issues – and there’s actually amassive difference between them.

If elected, Matthew Guy’s Liberal Partywill scrap the VRET, sabotaging our localclean energy industry. They’ve arguedagainst the Solar Homes program andhave even talked about re-opening dirtyold Hazelwood power station.

Voters deserve to know these policy

Dial 1 for cleanenergy

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This election will be critical forclean energy and action onclimate change in Victoria, sowe’re making 100,000 phone callsto voters by 24 November.

Jane StabbCommunity OrganisingProgram Manager

Help us reach 100,000 phone calls to voters by 24 November.Sign up at repowervic.org.au

Make calls for clean energy!

positions. So we’re making phone calls topeople in these seats and elsewhere fromnow until polling day, to make surethey’re informed when they go in tovote. The more calls we make, the moresupport for clean energy we can build –and it’s really easy to get involved.

Our volunteers have been hostingcalling parties from their homes and our#Repower Victoria Hub on Young Street inFrankston, or you can make calls byyourself from home whenever it suits you.

We’re teaming up with our friends fromother progressive and environmentgroups for the World’s BiggestPhonebank on October 24.

On the website, you can also find all our

calling resources: instructions for usingyour mobile phone to make calls with ournew dialling tool, a suggested script and afew tips and tricks for having greatconversations with people. You don’t needto be a policy expert – all the info is therefor you, and we have a new calling toolbased on technology used in thesuccessful marriage equality campaign.

There is a lot at stake this election. Thefuture of clean energy and action onclimate change in our state hangs in the balance. But with your help we canmake this the moment when Victoriasteps up to tackle our environmentalcrises. Find out more and sign up atrepower.vic.org.au

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Vic kicking goals on renewables

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PLACESwith heaps of renewable energy, youmight think of California, Denmark andmaybe South Australia. In a few yearstime, you may be able to add Victoria tothat list.

Brown coal still dominates our energysupply with 4650 megawatts (MW) ofcapacity (which is why Victoria’s percapita carbon pollution is so terrible).But with booming construction of windfarms in particular, we’re approaching a position of genuine leadership onclean energy.

Victoria has 20 major wind farms inoperation with capacity to generate1525 MW of power. Eleven more windfarms are under construction or havefinance approved, which will add afurther 1806 MW.

Seven large-scale solar farms – 712MW worth – are in development, addingto the existing 60 MW Gannawarra SolarFarm near Kerang.

Then there’s the “Star of the South”project: a massive 2000 MW offshorewind farm proposed for the waters offeast Gippsland, which would be the firstof its kind in Australia.

All this comes to a whopping 6000MW of renewable energy capacity –excluding rooftop solar, which could addanother 2600 MW if the Andrewsgovernment is re-elected and deliverson its 650,000 solar homes commitment.Boom times indeed!

In July, we crunched the numbers andfound that the amount of renewableenergy currently under construction will

produce enough clean energy topower all Victoria’s homes. Andwe weren’t the only ones excitedby that – two weeks later, PremierAndrews shared the message on Twitter.

In early September, theVictorian government announcedthe results of the first VictorianRenewable Energy Target (VRET)auction. The six wind and solarfarms will deliver 928 MW ofrenewable energy, generate $1.1billion of economic investment,create more than 900 jobs andreduce our reliance on pollutingcoal-burning power stations.

But as we know, this future isnot guaranteed. The VictorianCoalition is still insisting on itscommitment to scrap the VRET ifthey win the November election.Their recent announcement thatthey want even higher localcontent requirements than theexisting VRET rules (which arealready very difficult to reach)could be interpreted as aunderhanded way to preventlarge wind farms from being built.

Matthew Guy talks about“doing renewables right”, but theCoalition still hasn't articulated a planthat will make sure this clean energyboom continues. “Doing it right” couldbe code for “slowing it down”, and thatwould be a disaster for our efforts totackle climate change.

With the election just around the

corner, we’ve been putting clean energyon the agenda and pushing for morecommitments from all the parties. So far,we’ve averaged a new mainstreammedia story each day. As we approachcrunch time, we’re hoping to see thatprominence turn into policy that willkeep renewables booming.

Dr Nicholas Aberle Campaigns Manager

S A F E C L I M AT E

The forecast for Victoria’s renewable energy industry is lookingbright — so long as current policies remain in place.

From media release to news story to Premier’s tweet: our analysis paved the way for some big announcements on clean energy in the election campaign.

Thank you to everyone who donated to our election campaign appeal in June!

PHOTO: ED DUNENS, FLICKR (CREATIVE COMMONS)

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IN THE LEAD-UP TO THE 2014 STATEelection, the Andrews Labor Oppositionannounced that, if elected, it wouldestablish a taskforce advising thePremier on priorities for the future of thelogging industry and protecting ourforests.

Since then, our colleagues at theWilderness Society and otherenvironment groups have worked hardon the Forest Industry Taskforce tosecure protection for our forests and thedeclaration of the Great Forest NationalPark. Trade union, industry andconservation negotiators reached clearagreement that: “new parks andconservation reserves, including nationalparks, are an agreed essentialcomponent of Victoria’s conservationfuture. They will protect forestedecosystems and ecosystem services, andwill maximise the persistence ofvulnerable species in the wild, especiallythe Leadbeater’s possum.”

But so far the Andrews governmenthas failed to respond to the taskforce’s

recommendations. Every single day, we lose more rainforest and habitat forendangered species.

It’s time to stop this madness. In aperiod of global warming and drought,we need to protect our native forestsand water catchments, not destroythem.

In September this year, the majorretailers of wood and paper sourcedfrom Victoria’s native forests put theindustry and the government on notice.From 2020, they won’t accept productsthat don’t carry Forest StewardshipCouncil (FSC) certification, which state-owned logging company VicForests hasrepeatedly failed to achieve.

We urgently need leadership on thisissue and a plan to protect our highestconservation-value forests by creatingnew national parks. We also need tosupport the industry’s exit from nativeforests and into plantations, andencourage new transition industriessuch as timber plantations and tourism.

Environment Victoria will continue tosupport those organisations, like theWilderness Society, leading on this issue.Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Victoria wasleading the way not just on stoppingglobal warming, but also protectingnature and supporting life on Earth?There’s still time for election 2018 todeliver for both nature and our climate.

1On social media, call for an end to destructive logging using thehashtags #GFNP and #SpringSt

2Email Premier Daniel Andrews ([email protected])and tell him you support the Great Forest National Park

TAKE ACTION THIS ELECTION

N AT U R E

While we’re starting to see some great climate and energyelection announcements, we’re still waiting for the majorparties to protect the state’s forests from logging destruction.

Breakthrough still needed for our forests

In September, logging recommenced in Kinglake, including inforest that was burned in the 2009 fires and still recovering. PHOTO: KARENA GOLDFINCH, COURTESY WILDERNESS SOCIETY.

Mark WakehamChief Executive Officer

No environment policy for over 4300 days


E L E C T I O N 2 0 1 8

IT’S BEEN OVER 4300 DAYS SINCE the Victorian Liberals had anenvironment policy. This means theycontested both the 2010 and 2014elections without telling Victorians whatthey would do to protect theenvironment if they formedgovernment. Even worse, today’s LiberalParty has gone backwards since 2006.

In 2006, the party recognised thatbrown coal was the most pollutingsource of energy and pledged toincrease funding for new, cleanersources. Fast-forward to 2018, andMatthew Guy has promised to slash theVictorian Renewable Energy Target,while his candidate for Morwell hasfloated the idea of building a new coal-burning power station.

The Liberal Party also supported thecreation of new national parks in 2006,continuing its long tradition ofdeclaring new national parks andestablishing Victoria’s Green Wedges.But in 2018 this support hasevaporated, with the party proposingto impose a five-year moratorium onestablishing new national parks in theCentral Highlands.

In 2006 the party wanted to upgradethe performance of government buildingsto improve water and energy efficiency.But in government it discontinued theGreener Government Program, which wasdriving efficiency and reducing costsacross government buildings.

Similarly, the 2006 Liberal Partyproposed “a $50 million SustainableVictoria Fund to promote energyefficiency across Victoria”, saying thatthe 5-star energy rating of householdswas “inadequate”. But today, energyefficiency is derided and ignored.

Finally, the 2006 Liberal Party was afriend of the Victorian EnvironmentProtection Authority (EPA). Their policyrequired the EPA to exercise its powersto their fullest capacity, report monthlyon the number of prosecutions andpublish the names of polluters. Sadly, in2018 this commitment has gone and

the Liberals have voted against themost comprehensive reform package inthe EPA’s history to give the agencygreater enforcement powers and moreresources to prosecute polluters.

Politicians from across the politicalspectrum face the common challengeof driving down greenhouse gaspollution. We simply can’t stop climate

change if one side of politics hasabrogated its responsibility to putforward a responsible environmentpolicy. This election we’re calling on allparties to put forward policies thatmatch the scale of the challengeVictoria faces. The Liberal Party is up tothis challenge – it just has to find a littlebit of 2006.

Dean RizzettiPublic Policy and Advocacy Manager

Victorian Liberal Party

environment policy comparison

The Victorian Coalition’s most recent

pre-election environment policy was

released in 2006, 615 weeks ago. It

states the Liberal Party would “lower

greenhouse gas emissions” as “there

is no doubt that climate change poses

environment”.

“The Liberal Party is determined to

act to reduce Victoria’s reliance on

greenhouse gas emissions and we are

committed to acting swiftly to reduce

the impact of climate change.” 1

However, since 2006, the Victorian

Coalition has retreated from this

aspiration. It opposed many of

these articulated policy goals while

in government and has actively

worked against them in Opposition.

This position looks increasingly

irresponsible as the science of

climate change has become

universally accepted, the impacts

to reduce emissions are now more

affordable, accessible and exciting.

This document compares the

Coalition’s 2006 policy with its actions

in government and Opposition. While

there have been some unfortunate

backwards steps, there is still a

strong basis to forge policies across

the political spectrum that can cut

greenhouse gas pollution, create jobs

and protect our natural environment.

Read more in our new report

Our new report compares the Coalition’s 2006 policy with itsactions in government and Opposition. Visit envict.org/2006policy

WITH CHAOS IN CANBERRA OVER THENational Energy Guarantee (NEG) andthe Coalition’s backdown on settingpollution targets for the electricitysector, it’s easy to forget that Victoria isin the midst of a clean energy boom.

We already have 20 major wind farmsand one large solar farm operating, plus11 wind farms and seven solar farmsunder construction (read the details on page 4).

Until now, the growth in Victoria’srenewable energy sector has relied onthe certainty provided by the state andfederal Renewable Energy Targets,combined with falling technology costsand Victoria’s excellent renewableenergy resources. But with the federaltarget not expected to increase past2020 and no other national policy, wehave been left asking “what next?”

For years, investors have been callingon Canberra to define a credible policyto support renewable energy projectsafter 2020. Australia needs billions tofund infrastructure, but every politicalbackflip scares investors off. With themayhem in Canberra, investors are likelyto say “Stuff it” and turn their attentionelsewhere.

This is why Environment Victoria hasbeen working with other environment

groups, business and social agenciestowards a national bipartisan policy forthe electricity sector – one that actuallyreduces pollution and promotes cleanenergy investment.

We initially focused on showing thatthe core problem with the proposalsunder the NEG was the Turnbullgovernment’s do-nothing pollutionreduction target. The nuts and bolts ofthe policy improved over time, butwithout a strong target the mechanismwould not result in any additionalinvestment in clean energy in Australia.

Our next step was to proposesolutions. The Turnbull governmentwanted to lock in weak targets for morethan a decade, so we needed to makesure that the federal target could bechanged easily. We worked publicly andbehind the scenes to get support for ourproposals, getting 27 news stories in The

Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian

Financial Review and The Guardian whilethe NEG was being debated.

By the time state and federalgovernments met to discuss the policyin August, our solutions were beingchampioned by the Victorian, ACT andQueensland governments, business andother environment groups.

Unfortunately, the internal politics of

the federal coalition have now destroyedany prospect of agreeing on a nationalpolicy until the next election, and we areback to square one federally. TheCoalition’s capitulation on the NEGshowed again what happens whenideology takes charge.

So what now? Federal Labor haspromised to significantly increaseinvestment in clean energy, and there isstill a chance they could salvage thenational policy, but the Victoriangovernment can’t pin its hopes onCanberra. Victoria’s priority should bethe prosperity and future of our state,and that means having real plans todrive our booming renewables industryto be bigger and better. Once again,everything hinges on the outcome ofthe state election.


C L I M AT E P O L I C Y

For all the generous donationsto our climate changecampaign. With a lack ofaction at the federal level,Victoria's leadership is moreimportant than ever!

THANK YOU

From policy backflips to botched coups, Canberra’s chaos has dominated the debate about climate change and energy this year. Here’s how we’ve been pushing for better solutions.

Erwin JacksonSenior Climate and Energy Adviser

Beyond Canberra’s NEGligence


E L E C T I O N 2 0 1 8

On the election trail5 KEY STRATEGIES

ENGAGE TARGET VOTERSWe’re delivering Environment Victoria’s biggest-everfield campaign, mobilising hundreds of volunteers tomake 100,000 phone calls to community membersabout environmental issues in our target areasacross the state. In July we launched the new#Repower Victoria Hub in Frankston, providing avisible shopfront, advertising space and a volunteer-run campaign HQ (see cover photo). To date we’veheld ‘Repower Your Home’ forums about cleanenergy, a ‘water in the Hub’ event about rivermanagement, lots of stalls and movie nights. We’vealso handed out thousands of flyers and held dozensof ‘calling parties’ to contact voters. The centralNetwork Support Team of incredible youngvolunteers is facilitating local calling parties anddelivering our peer-to-peer SMS campaign. You cansign up to get involved at www.repowervic.org.au

RAISE THE PARTIES’ AMBITIONWe’ve been meeting with politicians from across thepolitical spectrum to make sure they know about ourpolicy agenda and to ensure that every party goesinto this election with ambitious climate change andenvironment policies. Both Labor and the Greenshave announced strong renewable energy policies,which have started to harness the tremendouspublic support for clean energy demonstrated inpolling. Over the coming months we’ll develop apolicy survey that will give all the parties a chance toshow how their policies meet the challenges facingVictoria. We’ll also be developing scorecards to helpvoters make informed choices when they go to theballot box.

HELP YOUNG PEOPLE ENROL TO VOTEWe know people aged 18–24 care deeply about climate change, but about 13 percent of them aren’t enrolled tovote. In the last few months we’ve created a new brand called Young Votes and have enrolled more than 300people in key areas through a website, social media campaigns, talks at high schools and peer-to-peer SMS, whereyoung volunteers text message other young people, encouraging them to enrol. The electoral roll closes on 6November, so we’ll be gearing up to reach our target of enrolling 1000 young people across the state. And if webeat it, that’s a bonus!

Volunteers from Repower North-East delivered postcard petitions toShadow Minister for Renewables David Southwick.

A big crowd joined us for the launch of Frankston Hub in July.

Sign up to get involved at www.repowervic.org.au


YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN!

With Victoria’s renewable energy target and climate change policies at stake,this election is a crossroads for our environment. That’s why we’re running ourbiggest campaign ever to show that the community supports clean energy andcutting pollution. Here’s the latest about what’s happening on the ground.

PRESSURE THE BLOCKERSOur volunteers in Bulleen have been hitting the streets,handing out flyers to remind everyone that MatthewGuy’s Liberal Party is planning to strangle clean energyin Victoria. Our Repower groups in Melbourne’s north-east are keeping the pressure on Guy and Ringwood MPDee Ryall, calling out their anti-renewables and anti-climate action positions. It’s not good enough that in2018 we still have a major political party opposed tosolving the climate crisis. We also had a billboard up inCaulfield, home of shadow energy minister DavidSouthwick, asking why the Coalition still doesn’t realisethat renewable energy is the future. Their negativelanguage on renewables is starting to soften, but theyhave a long way to go.

HIGH PROFILE FOR OUR ISSUESTo cut through in the 24-hour news cycle, youneed a consistent message. In the last fewmonths, we’ve had more media coveragethan ever before. Through print media, radiointerviews, opinion pieces and online stories,we’ve been amplifying the importance of theissues where we want big commitments thiselection: continuing Victoria’s renewableenergy boom, putting carbon pollution limitson coal power stations, setting energyefficiency standards for rental properties,fixing our recycling system and establishingstronger laws for environmental protection.

How the Herald Sun covered the Solar Homesannouncement. Our election policy agenda called forthe Victorian government to repower 250,000 homeswith solar and energy efficiency, but the Andrewsgovernment is aiming for 650,000 homes.

Volunteers in Bulleen took part in the global Rise for Climate action on 8 September.

Mentone Girls’ Secondary College is one of 11 high schools we’ve visited aspart of the new Young Votes campaign. A huge response to our call for donations in June

helped fund this massive campaign. Thank you!

AGL IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST ENERGYcompany and biggest climate polluter.Now they have a plan to construct agigantic new gas import terminal inbeautiful Westernport Bay, about 80kilometres south-east of Melbourne.

The scheme involves building a 290-metre floating gas terminal in the heartof an internationally recognised marineecosystem. Each year, up to 40 gianttankers would transport liquid gas to theterminal, where it would be ‘re-gasified’,then pumped through a pipeline thatwill cut across some of Victoria’s mostproductive farmland.

AGL plans to import gas into Victoriafrom the international market eventhough Australia already produces moregas than we use. Energy companies havebeen making big profits exporting mostof Australia’s gas since 2015. Now thisproject could see us buying it back.Macquarie Bank has reported that thiswill not lower costs and could even forcegas prices to increase.


Westernport Bay is a wetland sanctuary, but big energy companyAGL wants to turn it into a giant gas import terminal, with apipeline running all the way to Pakenham. Climate campaigner Cat Nadel exposes their dirty plan, and how we can stop it.

AGL’s dirty gas plan

S A F E C L I M AT E

Weedy Sea Dragon. PHOTO: SASCHA SCHULTZ

Fairy Penguins.

Australian Fur Seals.PHOTO: LISA SCHONBERG

Humpback Whale.PHOTO: LISA SCHONBERG

Climate disasterThis project will massively increaseVictoria’s climate pollution. It will pumpup to 160 petajoules of gas into Victoriaevery year, almost doubling the amountof gas currently flowing into our state.

Worse still, because the imported gasis in liquid form and requires processing,it will be 20 per cent more polluting thanthe gas we currently use. There will befugitive emissions leaking out into theatmosphere all along the way.

AGL can’t guarantee where the gas willcome from, so it may be gas fromfracking. This dangerous process hasbeen banned in Victoria because itcauses immense damage to theenvironment and water sources and isdangerous to human health. Yet AGL’sterminal could create a new market forfracked gas here.

Huge risk to nature Westernport Bay is an internationallylisted ecosystem, recognised by UNESCOand under the Ramsar Convention as aunique tidal bay and wetland.

Environmental lawyers have said thatthe project is likely to impact on habitatfor up to 65 threatened species and 59migratory species, including theSouthern Right Whale, HumpbackWhale, Curlew Sandpiper, Fairy Tern,Swift Parrot, Australian Grayling, twospecies of Ghost Shrimp, SouthernBrown Bandicoot and coastal saltmarsh.

Cat NadelSafe Climate Campaigner


Thanks to everyone who hasdonated to our appeal about this campaign in August.

5 WAYS TO STOP THISPOLLUTING PROJECT1. Tell AGL to scrap their dirty plans by

signing the petition atenvict.org.au/stop-AGL

2. If you are a customer or shareholder you can write to AGL in this capacity to express your concerns. Email new CEOBrett Redman [email protected] andInvestor Relations Manager Chris [email protected]

3. Write to the Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne or the federal Environment Minister MelissaPrice by 8 October expressing yourdisapproval of the project. [email protected] or [email protected]

4. If you live near Westernport Bay, get intouch and we’ll connect you with the local groups.

5. Donate to the campaign atenvironmentvictoria.org.au/give

If you’ve got other ideas please get in touch with Cat Nadel [email protected]

Fairy Tern. PHOTO: JJ HARRISON

Local groups Save Westernport andWesternport & Peninsula ProtectionCouncil, among others, have been buildingstrong opposition to AGL’s project.

Along with destroying vital habitat,AGL’s project threatens nature by itspotential to:• Dump millions of litres of cold and

chlorinated water into the bay● Suck small marine life into the

terminal’s heat exchanger● Introduce pests like the Northern

Pacific Sea-star● Significantly increase shipping through

Westernport Bay, which could lead tomore vessels striking marine mammals

● Cause fuel spills ● Cause air, noise and light pollution.

Where is the project up to?AGL has just submitted these plans tostate and federal governments forenvironmental approval. EnvironmentVictoria has been working with localgroups to make sure the company facesthe strictest possible assessments.

Together, we’re engaging with thegovernment approvals process and havealready forced AGL to submit theterminal and pipeline as one project,ensuring the total impacts areaccounted for.

But AGL will make its final decisionnext year, so we urgently need todemonstrate a groundswell ofopposition.

How can we stop it?AGL has committed to a greenhouse gaspolicy and in recent years has told apublic story of caring for theenvironment. They have also taken somepositive steps such as committing toclosing Liddell power station. We needto call out this polluting gas project forbeing inconsistent with thesecommitments and remind them that thefuture is renewable energy. This is one ofthe messages we delivered at a rallyoutside AGL’s annual general meeting on26 September.

We can also support the already verystrong local opposition. Nature tourismand fishing are important parts of theWesternport economy, and thecommunity is very proud of the area’snatural beauty. We’re working with manylocal groups to demonstrate that thecommunity doesn’t want this pollutingproject to go ahead.

THANK YOU!

IMAGINE A VICTORIA THAT’S FOREVER GREEN.Where future generations can still hear frogs croaking intheir local creeks, have the breathtaking experience ofentering an old-growth forest, watch birds nesting infloodplains, and live in a sustainable world powered by thesun and the wind...

From its beginnings in 1969, when Environment Victoriaarose out of the campaign to save the Little Desert inwestern Victoria from agricultural development, we havemade a real and lasting difference towards a future forVictoria that’s Forever Green.

We’re here because we love Victoria’s environment andwe’re committed to protecting and safeguarding our homeand our climate for generations to come.

Your future gift in your Will to Environment Victoria willinspire, empower and lead people and communities to takeaction to achieve a healthy environment, safe climate andthriving Victoria. Will you be Forever Green?

F O R E V E R G R E E N

Be Forever GreenLeaving a gift to Environment Victoria in your Will isan exceptional gift for future Victorians who willinherit this beautiful state from us.

It’s a simple change when you next review your Will.The wording below is a guide for your solicitor ortrustee:

"I give to Environment Victoria Inc. (ABN: 84 495 053605) of Level 2, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Vic, 3053for the purpose of safeguarding Victoria’senvironment [the residue [or….%] of the residue of my

estate] or [....% of my estate] or [the sum of $....] or

[specified property….] free of all debts, duties or taxesand declare that the receipt of an authorised officershall be a sufficient discharge for my executor(s)”

To find out more contact Lena Herrera Piekarski on 9341 8109 or email [email protected]


BEQUEST VOLUNTEER WANTEDEnjoy creating interesting conversations and listening to people’s stories?We’re looking for a person to thank some of our most loyal and committed donors by phone. They may haverecently made a donation, responded to a campaign, experienced a birthday or a significant life event, or wouldjust like to hear a little more about our work from someone who cares as much as they do.As part of the conversation, you’d be asking them to consider giving a future gift of a bequest in their Will. If you’reinterested, please call Lena Herrera Piekarski for a chat on 9341 8109 or email [email protected]

A gift in your Will to Environment Victoria is an exceptional gift to future Victorians.

FOREVER GREEN

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S U S T A I N A B L E L I V I N G

CAMPAIGNS UPDATEFrom securing efficiency standards for rentalhomes to rescuing our recycling industry, we’vehad some big wins in recent months. Here’s aquick round-up of what’s been happening.

Efficiency standards for rental homes

On 6 September, theVictorian Upper Housepassed landmark reforms toour rental laws, givinggovernment the power toset minimum efficiencystandards for rentalproperties. This is a huge winfor Victoria’s 1.2 millionrenters, and we all have tothank the 15,000 supporterswho signed our petition andhave been involved in thecampaign over the last twoyears. Whoever wins theNovember election will nowneed to move quickly tooutline energy efficiencystandards such as insulationand draught-proofing,ensuring more comfortablehomes, lower power billsand less greenhouse gaspollution.

A sample of media coverage of our rental standardscampaign.

Earlier this year we joined doctors, nurses, otherhealth professional and community members(organised by Healthy Futures) to demandtougher limits on Victoria’s biggest polluters –coal-burning power stations – at the EPA’s headoffice.

RecyclingChina’s ban on foreign recycling threw the waste industry into a crisis,but also created an opportunity. Through media stories, a petition anda letter to the minister, we put forward a five-point plan to fix ourrecycling industry. This helped secure $37 million in funding from theVictorian government. This work has a long way to go before we reachour goal of a truly circular economy, but it’s a start.

EPA limits onclimatepollutionThe EPA was going to review coalpower station licences behindclosed doors until we forced themto open it up to communityconsultation. At their publicmeeting in August in Traralgon, wepresented a petition signed by3700 people calling for limits onclimate pollution. It had a bigimpact and made the TV newsacross Gippsland. We’re hopeful theEPA will do the right thing andannounce climate pollution limitsfor coal-burning power stationssoon.

More than 15,000 people from across Victoria signedour rental standards petition, which we delivered toMinister for Consumer Affairs, Marlene Kairouz inJuly.

WIN!

WIN!

WIN!

Threatened species

N AT U R E


AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, I WILL BE LEAVINGEnvironment Victoria at the end of the year after theall-important state election. This will be my last editionof Environment Victoria News.

I want you to know what a privilege it has been towork here over the last decade. I am really proud of allwe have achieved together and have been constantlyinspired and fuelled by the passion of our supporters,staff, Board and volunteers.

As activists we are trying to achieve difficult things: arapid transformation of government, business and ourcommunities to prevent further global warming,

sustain nature and save life on earth. I’m convincedwe’re making real headway in Victoria, but I also knowwe have so much further to go.

While we work on realising this change, we can alsomodel what we’re trying to achieve in our actions. I’vebeen so impressed and humbled to be part of awonderful Environment Victoria community re-makingthe world, starting right here in Victoria.

Thank you for your support and for everything youdo to bring about a better world. As Arundhati Roywrote, “Another world is not only possible, she is onher way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

The Andrews government’s review ofthe Flora and Fauna Guarantee Actconfirmed that the law neededupdating. Working with EnvironmentalJustice Australia, the Victorian NationalParks Association and the WildernessSociety, we pushed bureaucrats andpoliticians towards stronger laws.Unfortunately, the final bill that went toParliament was only a modestimprovement, and it’s unlikely to passbefore the pre-election caretaker periodcommences. To achieve more significantreform in the next term, we need topersuade government to prioritise theprotection of healthy ecosystems.

With NSW experiencing record droughtand water running short in northernVictoria, we’re forced to defend hard-wongains for our rivers against those eager totake more water for irrigation. We’ve beenworking with River Ambassadors acrossthe Murray-Darling Basin to help themdevelop local campaigns to mobilisecommunities and bring their concerns topoliticians. We’re working with a diversegroup of people from Queensland toSouth Australia, and we’ve given evidenceto the South Australian Royal Commissioninto the Basin Plan, which is confirmingour concerns about how the plan hasbeen developed and implemented.

Thanks for the privilege of working togetherAfter 11 years with Environment Victoria, Mark Wakeham will be stepping down as CEO after the Victorian state election.

Mark Wakeham,Chief ExecutiveOfficer

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CAMPAIGNS UPDATE

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Chief Executive OfficerMark Wakeham

CAMPAIGNS & PROGRAMSCampaigns Manager Nicholas AberleHealthy Rivers and Nature CampaignManagerJuliet Le FeuvreSafe Climate Campaigner Cat NadelSenior Climate Campaign Advisor Erwin JacksonEfficiency Campaigner Anne MartinelliPublic Policy and Advocacy Manager Dean RizzettiCommunity Organising Program Manager Jane StabbCommunity Organiser Adele NealeCommunity Organiser Emma Horsburgh

Communications Managers Alex Merory, Greg FoysterCommunications Officer Cameron Wheatley

OPERATIONSFinance Manager Kate Rogers Accounts Officer Jing LuOffice Manager Cate HoyleAdministration AssistantSharon HargreavesFundraising Director Jonathan StoreyFundraising Officer Heather BruerMajor Donor and BequestsCoordinator Lena Herrera PiekarskiDatabase Officer Karly Roolker

BOARDPresident Emma HumannVice-President Tim WattsPaul BaileyPeter ChristoffElaine MontegriffoTabatha FulkerBen KrasnosteinRalf Thesing (leave of absence)

REGULAR VOLUNTEERSEnvironment Victoria would like to thank our amazing crew of regular volunteers, who are now too numerous to mention.

TALK TO USPhone (03) 9341 8100 [email protected] (03) 9341 [email protected]/environmentvictoria

PO Box 12575A’Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006www.environmentvictoria.org.au

Authorised by Mark Wakeham, CEO,Environment Victoria, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, 3053.

WHO’SWHO AT

It’s been a crazy year in the schoolyard ofAustralian politics. Join us as comedianSammy J, star of ABC’s Playground Politics,

shares his favourite satirical songs, and riffson the tantrums, thrills and leadershipspills of 2018.

Plus there’ll be food, drinks and ourinspiring Community Environment Awardsto celebrate individuals and groups who’veachieved incredible things for theenvironment this year.

Tickets are free for members and donors– but you’ll need to book asap!

WHENWednesday 31 October 2018 6pm-7:30pm (Complimentary snacks and drinks from 7:30pm onwards)WHEREAuditorium, Australian Nursingand Midwifery Federation(Victorian Branch)535 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC3000RSVPEssential by Friday 26 October at envirovic2018.eventbrite.com.auOr by calling 9341 8100

AWARDNOMINATIONSKnow an individual or groupgoing above and beyond forour environment? Nominatethem for a CommunityEnvironment Award! Visit envict.org/2018awards.Applications close Monday 8 October.

Environment Victoria News · 2019-11-13 · FRONT COVER IMAGE: Frankston’s ... Farm near Kerang....

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Transcript of Environment Victoria News · 2019-11-13 · FRONT COVER IMAGE: Frankston’s ... Farm near Kerang....