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Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari: “Time is running out. Caretaker provisions start next week.”
By Brett Tessari
BASS Coast Shire Council is still waiting for a State Government decision on interim Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO) protection for the Western Port Woodlands.
For years, Council, community groups and environmental advocates have undertaken the work needed to demonstrate the significance of these woodlands.
Council has funded investigations, completed strategic planning, responded to every request, and committed $500,000 toward biodiversity studies and long-term protection measures.
These woodlands support threatened species, including the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Powerful Owl and critically endangered Strzelecki Gum. Once these environmental values are lost, they cannot be replaced.
The State Government has everything it needs to act. With the stroke of a pen, the Minister for Planning can introduce interim planning controls through Amendment C181 and provide immediate protection.
This amendment only seeks to protect an area that the state has already agreed is environmentally significant through its own Statement of Planning Policy.
"The State Government has everything it needs to act."
Brett Tessari, Bass Coast Mayor
Despite that policy, the State Government waited more than four months after Council’s request to ask for further information – information it already had.
Time is running out. Caretaker provisions start next week, leaving only a short window for the Minister’s signature.
The community has done its part. Council has done its part. Now the State Government must do its part and sign the paperwork before the clock runs out. It’s time.
Brett Tessari is Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council.