Photo: Philemon Yalamu
By Neil Daly
IT’S hard to know what George Bass would think if he sailed into Western Port now, for much has changed, but he would probably be heartened by the Andrews government’s decision not to proceed with the AGL gas import terminal at Crib Point.
Perhaps the most important speculation is what the original custodians of this region would think of this decision – I could say they would be pleased.
IT’S hard to know what George Bass would think if he sailed into Western Port now, for much has changed, but he would probably be heartened by the Andrews government’s decision not to proceed with the AGL gas import terminal at Crib Point.
Perhaps the most important speculation is what the original custodians of this region would think of this decision – I could say they would be pleased.
It would be fair to suggest that, as well as the 6058 individuals and groups that made submissions to the AGL inquiry, there are many other Victorians and others across Australia and beyond who are pleased.
It’s a great moment, and to all who helped the government reach this milestone, take a breather – but not for too long.
For as Anne Heath Mennell, one of the many who helped thwart the AGL proposal, said, “Now is the time to put in place a Western Port Strategic Management Plan, to ensure that no-one needs to go through another undertaking like this ever again to protect Western Port, arguably Victoria’s most important Blue Wedge. The environment is the key to Western Port’s economic future, not its industrialisation.”
Anne’s plea is echoed in the replies to “Hello Spring Street, are you listening?”, “On centre stage”, and “Some have heard the call”.
Thank you to all for your comments, for your commitment and support, which has seen the Western Port Strategic Management Plan concept “reach the Premier’s desk”.
Even though we are still some time out from the next state election, it is important to keep focusing our MPs’ attention on the long-term wellbeing of Western Port.
As Julia Stockigt commented, “Save Westernport hopes to use the momentum of the extraordinary community engagement resulting from the No AGL campaign, which we know influenced the decision to stop AGL.
“Working with other local groups, we want to see awareness and appreciation of the rare and remarkable ecosystem that is Westernport Bay continue to grow.”
And so, to the next milestone:
While we wait, perhaps you may like to say what the next milestone(s) should be.
It’s a great moment, and to all who helped the government reach this milestone, take a breather – but not for too long.
For as Anne Heath Mennell, one of the many who helped thwart the AGL proposal, said, “Now is the time to put in place a Western Port Strategic Management Plan, to ensure that no-one needs to go through another undertaking like this ever again to protect Western Port, arguably Victoria’s most important Blue Wedge. The environment is the key to Western Port’s economic future, not its industrialisation.”
Anne’s plea is echoed in the replies to “Hello Spring Street, are you listening?”, “On centre stage”, and “Some have heard the call”.
Thank you to all for your comments, for your commitment and support, which has seen the Western Port Strategic Management Plan concept “reach the Premier’s desk”.
Even though we are still some time out from the next state election, it is important to keep focusing our MPs’ attention on the long-term wellbeing of Western Port.
As Julia Stockigt commented, “Save Westernport hopes to use the momentum of the extraordinary community engagement resulting from the No AGL campaign, which we know influenced the decision to stop AGL.
“Working with other local groups, we want to see awareness and appreciation of the rare and remarkable ecosystem that is Westernport Bay continue to grow.”
And so, to the next milestone:
- the Government’s reply to the Sustainable Australia Party’s question; and
- a response from the Liberal Nationals to the WPSMP proposal.
While we wait, perhaps you may like to say what the next milestone(s) should be.