SWPW video shows threat to vital biolink By Catherine Watson
CAMPAIGNERS against the expansion of sand mining in Bass Coast’s rare coastal forests warn they will take the fight to the inner-city electorate of Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
Save Western Port Woodlands spokesman Tim O’Brien said that with the State Government pushing a construction-led COVID recovery, time is running out to save Bass Coast’s remnant coastal forest.
"Trading regional extinctions, and losing fragile lowland forest – the last forest remaining in the Bass Coast region – for bridges, carparks and tunnels for Melbourne is an appalling fail of public policy by Mr Wynne and the Andrews Government.”
CAMPAIGNERS against the expansion of sand mining in Bass Coast’s rare coastal forests warn they will take the fight to the inner-city electorate of Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
Save Western Port Woodlands spokesman Tim O’Brien said that with the State Government pushing a construction-led COVID recovery, time is running out to save Bass Coast’s remnant coastal forest.
"Trading regional extinctions, and losing fragile lowland forest – the last forest remaining in the Bass Coast region – for bridges, carparks and tunnels for Melbourne is an appalling fail of public policy by Mr Wynne and the Andrews Government.”
A Government report has identified large parts of the coastal forest corridor between Lang Lang and Grantville as “Extractive Industry Interest Area”.
If approved, sand mining in these areas would take precedence over conservation of a crucial biolink, home to threatened species including the southern brown bandicoot, powerful owl, lace monitor and white-footed dunnart.
It would also remove the right of communities, farmers and local government to object to sand mining in this area.
There are 19 current sand mining work authorities, many issued in the 1990s, and another seven under application.
If approved, sand mining in these areas would take precedence over conservation of a crucial biolink, home to threatened species including the southern brown bandicoot, powerful owl, lace monitor and white-footed dunnart.
It would also remove the right of communities, farmers and local government to object to sand mining in this area.
There are 19 current sand mining work authorities, many issued in the 1990s, and another seven under application.
Map of the forest corridor on the eastern side of Western Port shows the extractive industries interest area (in red) and existing work authorities for sand mines in yellow.
| Mr O’Brien said regional Victorians were sick of their environment being plundered, with no regard to community wishes, for Melbourne-centric policies. "Over the next 35 years, under this State Government's proposed protections for extractive industries over the objections of communities, councils and farmers, we risk losing this whole forest corridor to the mining industry. | Public meeting Save Western Port Woodlands will hold a public meeting at the Corinella Hall on Saturday, May 22, 2.30-4.30pm. The meeting will include the launch of the Save Western Port Woodlands short video, speakers from SPWP and allied conservation groups and a chance for the local community to express their views on the impacts of sand mining. |
"If Mr Wynne thinks he can plunder our fragile coastal forest environment for his 'Melbourne Build', let's see how he goes with his seat of Richmond under threat, because we'll be taking this campaign for this environment and this community into his seat.
“He came close to losing last election, and we're more than happy to shift the battle for this forest into his backyard."
And Mr O’Brien called for Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio to speak up for her portfolio.
“Right now we are losing habitat, and right now facing regional extinctions of the vulnerable powerful owl, the endangered southern brown bandicoot and a host of endangered and vulnerable orchids, grass trees and other flora. Why haven’t we heard from the Environment Minister?”
Catherine Watson is a member of Save Western Port Woodlands.
“He came close to losing last election, and we're more than happy to shift the battle for this forest into his backyard."
And Mr O’Brien called for Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio to speak up for her portfolio.
“Right now we are losing habitat, and right now facing regional extinctions of the vulnerable powerful owl, the endangered southern brown bandicoot and a host of endangered and vulnerable orchids, grass trees and other flora. Why haven’t we heard from the Environment Minister?”
Catherine Watson is a member of Save Western Port Woodlands.