Hartley Tobin and ‘Old Man Grass Tree’, one of the ancient giants of the Grantville grass tree forest. Photo: Meryl Brown Tobin By Neil Daly
I WOULD like to thank two remarkable environmentalists, Meryl and Hartley Tobin, for giving me permission to use the photo of the “Old Man Grass Tree”, and for their tireless work in helping to preserve our natural environment.
In our discussion, Meryl said “The Old Man Grass Tree has probably stood here since long before George Bass landed nearby at the mouth of the Bass River in 1798 and has seen our wildlife come and go for maybe 300-400 years or even longer.”
The longevity of this amazing plant reminded me that Western Port and its region is an ancient and precious ecosystem dating back to long before George Bass started us on the road to European civilisation.
I WOULD like to thank two remarkable environmentalists, Meryl and Hartley Tobin, for giving me permission to use the photo of the “Old Man Grass Tree”, and for their tireless work in helping to preserve our natural environment.
In our discussion, Meryl said “The Old Man Grass Tree has probably stood here since long before George Bass landed nearby at the mouth of the Bass River in 1798 and has seen our wildlife come and go for maybe 300-400 years or even longer.”
The longevity of this amazing plant reminded me that Western Port and its region is an ancient and precious ecosystem dating back to long before George Bass started us on the road to European civilisation.
Since then and in recent times, particularly on its coastal fringes, Western Port has been under constant threat from “civilisation” and its unquenchable need for sustenance and expansion. The attempt to turn this region into Victoria’s “Ruhr Valley”, to open a second container port for Melbourne at Hastings, and to install a gas import terminal at Crib Point are but three examples of a never-ending push to industrialise this fragile environment.
Each time the threat has appeared, local community action groups, often supported by some who holiday in the region, have fought off the industrialists and forced the government of the day to reassess its position.
But no sooner has one battle been won than another breaks out.
We now have the Save Western Port Woodlands group valiantly defending the “right of nature to survive”, for it would seem Melbourne’s appetite for infrastructure development and expansion to meet its growing population must be fed by sands from the Grantville region.
There are currently 26 sand mining work authorities in the forest corridor between Nyora and Grantville – 19 current and seven under application.
If the planned expansion of sand mining is sanctioned by the State Government, it has the potential to destroy much of the Western Port woodlands, thus calling into question the role of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and the environmental credentials of the Andrew’s Government to protect this environment from further desecration.
In an attempt to redress the situation kindled by George Bass, I’m saying the time has come for the Western Port region to be freed from the constant pressure of having to repel corporate raiders and for governments (federal and state) to realise the social wellbeing and economic future of this region is in:
To achieve this aim, I’ve asked the Andrew’s Government, the Coalition and the Victorian Greens to present a strategic management plan prior to this year’s state election. To assist, I offered them my document: Western Port Strategic Management Plan – Starter Kit, August 2021. In this case, the Western Port region comprises French Island, the four council areas bordering Western Port and Western Port itself.
The plan should be enshrined by an act of parliament and one that will thwart those seeking to industrialise and urbanise this environment.
It should be administered by one statutory authority. Melbourne Water is best placed to undertake this task for it is now the sole authority responsible for catchment and waterways management across the Port Phillip and Western Port region.
Each time the threat has appeared, local community action groups, often supported by some who holiday in the region, have fought off the industrialists and forced the government of the day to reassess its position.
But no sooner has one battle been won than another breaks out.
We now have the Save Western Port Woodlands group valiantly defending the “right of nature to survive”, for it would seem Melbourne’s appetite for infrastructure development and expansion to meet its growing population must be fed by sands from the Grantville region.
There are currently 26 sand mining work authorities in the forest corridor between Nyora and Grantville – 19 current and seven under application.
If the planned expansion of sand mining is sanctioned by the State Government, it has the potential to destroy much of the Western Port woodlands, thus calling into question the role of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and the environmental credentials of the Andrew’s Government to protect this environment from further desecration.
In an attempt to redress the situation kindled by George Bass, I’m saying the time has come for the Western Port region to be freed from the constant pressure of having to repel corporate raiders and for governments (federal and state) to realise the social wellbeing and economic future of this region is in:
- nurturing and developing its natural biodiversity;
- enhancing regenerative agriculture practices, horticulture activities and farm gate enterprises;
- promoting ecotourism and recreation pastimes; and
- building a sustainable future less reliant on fossil fuels.
To achieve this aim, I’ve asked the Andrew’s Government, the Coalition and the Victorian Greens to present a strategic management plan prior to this year’s state election. To assist, I offered them my document: Western Port Strategic Management Plan – Starter Kit, August 2021. In this case, the Western Port region comprises French Island, the four council areas bordering Western Port and Western Port itself.
The plan should be enshrined by an act of parliament and one that will thwart those seeking to industrialise and urbanise this environment.
It should be administered by one statutory authority. Melbourne Water is best placed to undertake this task for it is now the sole authority responsible for catchment and waterways management across the Port Phillip and Western Port region.
*****
Calling for a strategic management plan is not new. Fifty years ago, the Save Western Port Coalition published a document titled The Shame of Western Port – Speculator’s Dream … Environmental Nightmare, July 1971. You can order a copy through the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation.
At the time, many were concerned about Western Port’s future, and their opening remarks in the document stated: “Sixteen organisations of the Save Western Port Coalition worked together to prepare this report. We felt it was high time to reveal how the plan to destroy Western Port began, who will profit from it and how Australia will lose if it isn’t stopped.”
A legacy of this insightful statement is that one of the founding members of the coalition is still continuing its advocacy. The Westernport & Peninsula Protection Council, which recently celebrated its 50th year, has published a chronological account of its environmental work.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts of many, the never-ending struggle to protect this environment is still with us, and is likely to continue until such time as the people set the agenda.
In calling for this action, I am conscious of the fact that any “community resistance movement” relies on the dedication of a few to raise awareness of an issue, gather support and mount a campaign.
I’m also aware that it’s so easy for a government, and for that matter the opposition, to sit on the fence and watch events unfold, only making a commitment if it’s politically expedient.
But perhaps it is possible to change this endless cycle by empowering the community to state what it wants, set its policy agenda, and vote accordingly – and one organisation is showing the way.
Environment Victoria (EV) is conducting an online event known as “People Power Workshops”. So far, it has brought together a cohort of people from five regions across Victoria. They are calling on their federal MPs and prospective candidates to initiate faster and fairer Australian climate action.
This political campaign is geared to effect change by building a community movement to address the issues of clean energy, cutting pollution and protecting the natural environment.
Representing the Western Port region, the Western Port Climate Alliance is approaching businesses, community groups and individuals to sign their open letter.
Given Environment Victoria’s proactive approach to empowering the community, perhaps the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), now in the process of forming a new environmental group to protect the Western Port region, may like to consider the EV model.
At this stage, the group is made up of battle-hardened environmental veterans, including the Westernport & Peninsula Protection Council, the Save Westernport group and the Phillip Island Conservation Society.
It has formed a steering committee which is discussing the matter with the Western Port Biosphere Foundation, Save Western Port Woodlands, and Waterline community representatives and will soon announce a policy direction and a group name.
Once established, it is hoped the group will contact the councils bordering Western Port (Bass Coast, Cardinia, Casey and Mornington Peninsula) and also invite agricultural producers, local businesses and community associations to participate. It’s important that the policy platform is built on community-wide input and presents a united and a strategically orientated course of action.
Given that both Environment Victoria and the VNPA group are dealing with climate-related issues and are discussing the matter with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, I hope they’ll find a way to work together and present a united front.
The more pressure that can be brought to bear on our political representatives, the less likely we are to lose another 50 years in securing what was once, and still is, an aspirational goal: “Western Port can be saved, in spite of all argument to the contrary.”
At the time, many were concerned about Western Port’s future, and their opening remarks in the document stated: “Sixteen organisations of the Save Western Port Coalition worked together to prepare this report. We felt it was high time to reveal how the plan to destroy Western Port began, who will profit from it and how Australia will lose if it isn’t stopped.”
A legacy of this insightful statement is that one of the founding members of the coalition is still continuing its advocacy. The Westernport & Peninsula Protection Council, which recently celebrated its 50th year, has published a chronological account of its environmental work.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts of many, the never-ending struggle to protect this environment is still with us, and is likely to continue until such time as the people set the agenda.
In calling for this action, I am conscious of the fact that any “community resistance movement” relies on the dedication of a few to raise awareness of an issue, gather support and mount a campaign.
I’m also aware that it’s so easy for a government, and for that matter the opposition, to sit on the fence and watch events unfold, only making a commitment if it’s politically expedient.
But perhaps it is possible to change this endless cycle by empowering the community to state what it wants, set its policy agenda, and vote accordingly – and one organisation is showing the way.
Environment Victoria (EV) is conducting an online event known as “People Power Workshops”. So far, it has brought together a cohort of people from five regions across Victoria. They are calling on their federal MPs and prospective candidates to initiate faster and fairer Australian climate action.
This political campaign is geared to effect change by building a community movement to address the issues of clean energy, cutting pollution and protecting the natural environment.
Representing the Western Port region, the Western Port Climate Alliance is approaching businesses, community groups and individuals to sign their open letter.
Given Environment Victoria’s proactive approach to empowering the community, perhaps the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), now in the process of forming a new environmental group to protect the Western Port region, may like to consider the EV model.
At this stage, the group is made up of battle-hardened environmental veterans, including the Westernport & Peninsula Protection Council, the Save Westernport group and the Phillip Island Conservation Society.
It has formed a steering committee which is discussing the matter with the Western Port Biosphere Foundation, Save Western Port Woodlands, and Waterline community representatives and will soon announce a policy direction and a group name.
Once established, it is hoped the group will contact the councils bordering Western Port (Bass Coast, Cardinia, Casey and Mornington Peninsula) and also invite agricultural producers, local businesses and community associations to participate. It’s important that the policy platform is built on community-wide input and presents a united and a strategically orientated course of action.
Given that both Environment Victoria and the VNPA group are dealing with climate-related issues and are discussing the matter with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, I hope they’ll find a way to work together and present a united front.
The more pressure that can be brought to bear on our political representatives, the less likely we are to lose another 50 years in securing what was once, and still is, an aspirational goal: “Western Port can be saved, in spite of all argument to the contrary.”