Western Port plan in limbo

14/4/2024

The plan will drift unless the four bayside councils are united. Photo: Jim Worrall

By Neil Daly

In response to my article The battle for Western Port, Christine Grayden reminded us that “Politicians are not mind readers. They rely on us to be responsible citizens and let them know our concerns loud and clear”.

That time has come, for the proposed strategic framework for Western Port highlighted in my article is in limbo.

The framework calls for a:

new strategic plan for Western Port;
new collaborative management partnership; and
dedicated Western Port fund, similar to the current Port Phillip Bay approach.

My concern is that the four councils bordering Western Port, who in August 2023 were united under the notice of motion seeking to “encourage the Victorian State Government to implement the framework”, are no longer working as one and seemingly letting the matter drift. I base this on my questioning of the councils and their varying responses.

In a letter dated 26 December 2023, the Minster for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos replying to the councils’ motion expressing their commitment to the framework, referred to the Marine and Coastal Act 2018, the Marine and Coastal Strategy 2022, and the Protecting Victoria’s Environment - Biodiversity 2037 just to mention a few, but avoided making any commitment or support for the concept.

Perhaps in desperation from this outcome, two councils wrote to The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Environment and Water seeking the minister’s guidance and support.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire’s letter of 6 February 2024, spoke of the value of having a strategic framework for Western Port and its surrounding catchment area. It restated that the framework’s roadmap would enable a complete and integrated management approach and strike a balance between “sustainable development and preservation of the natural and cultural heritage.” It emphasised the need for a collaborative effort on the part of all stakeholders to ensure the framework’s success.

Believe it or not, just as the publication deadline was about to tick over, Mornington council received a ministerial reply. It’s not good news.

Ms Plibersek responds: “Under existing Government programs, dedicated funding is not available to support implementation of either the Western Port Strategic Framework or biosphere reserves.”

So it seems the Western Port plan is going nowhere. The councils promoting the framework are at sixes and sevens. The Allan government is non-committal. And now the Federal Government’s message is for the council to consider funding approaches within Minister Plibersek’s portfolio that includes “programs that support biodiversity conservation projects and natural resource management.”

I believe Christine is right. It’s time for you to say what needs to be done, “loud and clear”. For all the hard work people put in to develop the framework, it is marooned.

10 Comments

Jenny Date

20/4/2024 11:51:40 am

A very timely article from Neil. If the Federal Minister I can't see how critical it is for the whole of the Westernport catchment to be protected I am at a loss where we go now. Our efforts to protect just a small part ie the Corinella Foreshore Reserve have been met by obstacles from both DEECA and the Minister who seems totally disinterested despite the RAMSAR listing. I note that the minister has intervened to stop the Toondah development in a RAMSAR listed are of Moreton Bay. Maybe we need to see what strategies the groups opposed to the development used to achieve this wonderful outcome

Neil Daly

21/4/2024 08:46:25 am

Thanks Jenny. I guess over 60,000 signatures could not be ignored by Minister Plibersek in her decision to stop the Toondah Harbour proposal in Moreton Bay. Considering the number of people who visit the Western Port region, perhaps it’s time to ask for their help to encourage the state government to implement a strategic framework.

Jen Rutherford

21/4/2024 08:09:48 pm

Thank you Neil, from the critters and the trees.
What would we do without you and your persistence in saving the future for them?

TIM OBRIEN

22/4/2024 01:42:52 pm

The problem we have Neil, I feel, is a State Labor Government that lacks courage and real conviction on the environment. It mouths all the right platitudes, all those environmental 'motherhood statements' - committed to climate action, committed to sustainability, committed to protecting forests, committed to preserving habitat - all those things it says, but when push comes to shove, consistently fails community wishes 'on the ground': to preserve THIS strip of forest, THIS green wedge, THIS foreshore, THIS habitat, THIS stand of significant trees. These wishes - the small things - consistently fall before the juggernaut of development, for all those 'sustainable' freeways and tunnels for Melbourne. You may be interested that one of the arguments given by the Victorian Earth Resources Regulator for sand mining in the Western Port Woodlands, is sustainability: "because it's closer to Melbourne, there is less distance to travel to access the resource, therefore it's more sustainable!" That's the argument; transparent bullshit of course, a failure of reason and entirely indefensible as an argument. And, ask the Swift Parrots, Southern Brown Bandicoots, and other endangered species there, even less defensible as a moral position in this time of extinction crisis. So, what to do? Christine is right, yes, we need to tell government what we expect of them. But we need them to listen. The DAL may surprise, but I don't get a sense that this government is exactly "all ears" when it comes to community concerns about its environment, you know, the one just outside the door.

Neil Daly

23/4/2024 04:26:21 pm

Thank you for your thoughts Tim. As a reader said to me about your comment, “You’ve hit the nail on the head.” You’ve also reminded me of my article “Let’s get together”, Bass Coast Post, 25/1/2023. It spoke of the visionary plan put together in 2014 and called for a follow up scenario workshop that would give everyone the chance “to listen” as you say, and once and for all settle the matter. It can’t drag on any longer.

John Taylor

23/4/2024 05:40:01 pm

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Tim O'Brien's comments regarding where the problems lie. Not enough cash to go around, both outside the prime vote area of metropolises and certainly within these heavily populated zones where the big (loan) monies are being spent without care as to how this money will be repaid by our children and their children ad infinitum. Totally irresponsible in so many ways.

So, how can governments continue working for the populations who put them there? Think about that and how it affects you especially.

Low or even nil experience in real life and with their business constantly drip fed by your taxes rather than having to spend only what they can afford, like families. Dad or Mum comes home without a decent wage for an honest day's work and can't pay the bills.

Not enough cash left to do what needs to be done for the environment amongst other pressing factors. What is the way out? Sell off whatever can be sold off. Ignore the needs, both short term and long term and take easy cash to prop up the economy. Spend up big on unrealistic monuments to the past leaders and let someone else worry about repaying huge loans.

Ministers can't administer effectively without funds to do so. Long term projects get shoved aside. All levels of government have to prune their expectations. Work by dedicated volunteers and the projects they work on for their environments and their communities are wasted.

The only way to force the issues such as Moreton Bay did is to use a system that puts pressure on decision makers using similar methods that have a real chance of success. Multi thousand signatures delivered to the door cannot be shoved under the carpet.

If the Councils have lost the will, we need to go to the public and gather support for our Westernport Strategic Framework that Neil has been leading so assiduously. We need support from everyone who has an interest in preserving our heritage. Will you put your hand up for your children and theirs? Your signature is needed now. Let us avail ourselves, friends, our visitors and like minded folks who value what has been left to us to cherish. Use the Engage Victoria system or similar that are there for anyone. Complete a short online survey and submit, as the Victorian National Parks Association are doing about protection of Victorian bushland. Bigger scale but same way to go.

Neil Daly

25/4/2024 02:38:14 pm

Thank you John for your perceptive comments. The theme arising from other replies also suggest a public petition is the way forward. Perhaps this could be taken up by the Western Port Strategic Framework Steering Committee. The committee is made up of representatives from the Victorian National Parks Association, Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Save Westernport and the Phillip Island Conservation Society.

Sue Boggan link

24/4/2024 04:31:15 pm

This is such an important matter. Yes, we need all the community support we can get. Voice of the people.
A petition at least to initiate further action.
Government speaks with a forked tongue.

Anne Heath Mennell

6/5/2024 03:11:41 pm

What a sorry position to be in! A recent Age editorial, no less, argued that we should give taxpayers money to support a sports business (rugby)! The latest thing is a new arena at Flemington focused on ABBA!! Both would involve millions of dollars and yet no-one seems interested in saving the Proving Ground or Woodlands.

So, a HUGE list of voters, aka a petition, might make a difference. I hope the Steering Committee will take the lead. Needs to be both online and paper and available everywhere in the WP catchment area, especially the larger population centres. It might help if all the relevant Councils put their support in writing. Mass signing meetings in community centres/libraries etc.? What about a full page in the Age with acknowledgements from all the relevant community groups, environment groups etc.? I'd be happy to contribute $$ for that.
Maybe then we could get the TV current affairs shows interested ... Stunts on steps of Parliament House? Toot for the Proving Ground demos outside the gates on the highway. We have to create a stink to shame the government into action. It worked for Moreton Bay ...

Neil Daly

10/5/2024 11:57:38 am

Anne, thank for your call to action and encouraging us to pick up your ideas.

Of the councils involved, The News, Mornington Peninsula (April 30, 2024) in its article: “Calls for Western Port ‘framework’” says, MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is again calling on the state government to “develop a strategic framework” for Western Port. According to the shire the framework should include the restoration and protection of Western Port’s marine environment and catchment area. It would also establish an “ecologically sustainable and thriving economy”.

Importantly it went on to say, “The shire’s meeting was held later on the same day that the business lobby group Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula held a Future Forum which will also see state and MPs come under pressure over developments in Western Port.” I say importantly, for the “Future Forum” is a call I’ve made in my Bass Coast Post article “Let’s get together” (25/1/2023).

I commend the forum initiative but if the Western Port region is to reach the “ecologically sustainable and thriving economy” goal, all councils and business lobby groups bordering Western Port should hold a joint forum as suggested in my article. The region is interdependent and ultimately should become one distinctive areas and landscapes (DAL) environment.

Western Port plan in limbo

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