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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ...