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Send Your Questions to AGL and APA by 31 March 2019!

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Dale Stohr

AGL and APA have a new survey available for local residents to raise their concerns and and ask questions about the Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline project.

The survey may be found here.

The closing date for this survey is Sunday 31st March 2019.

Under the Environment Effects Act 1978, all public comment from the community must be formally collected, recorded and considered by AGL and APA during the consultation period.

Issues raised by the community will also be presented to the Technical Reference Group (TRG) – a group of local councils and state government agencies (e..g EPA, WorkSafe, Parks Victoria).

The TRG will review all AGL/APA technical studies and provide advice for the Environment Effects Statement (EES) to ensure potential impacts to the environment and human health are properly addressed.

Save Westernport strongly encourages all local residents to submit questions to AGL and APA about any aspect of the project that concerns them.

KeepCalmAndPosters.com

AGL and APA release new map of proposed pipeline for Hastings

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Candy van Rood

Released this week-

Streetview map of the proposed route/s of AGL/APA’s high pressure gas pipeline to be constructed through the streets of Hastings.

Give your feedback/ express your concerns in this survey until March 30

Special Report – ABC News On AGL Gas Import Terminal

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Dale Stohr

The environmental concerns about AGL’s gas project for Crib Point were broadcast on ABC News Victoria (Sunday 24th February 2019).

Watch the full report until 27 February 2019 on ABC iview at 19:50 minutes here

Read the full story “Australia is the biggest exporter of liquid natural gas so why is Victoria facing a future shortage?” on the ABC News website here

ABC News reporter Jessica Longbottom delivered a summary of the issues around AGL’s proposal to import liquified natural gas (LNG) via Westernport Bay despite Australia being the world’s biggest gas exporter.

This special report included interviews with Westernport Bay mussel farmer Michael Harris, local landowners Sue and John Allnut, Louise Page from Save Westernport, Tony Wood of the Grattan Institute and Phaedra Deckart from AGL (GM of Energy Supply).

Ms Deckart stated “…People aren’t going to be able to turn on their heaters or we’re not going to be able to run gas-fired power generators because there just won’t be enough gas.”

“We know [the community] are … taking one for the team, I suppose, in helping Australia and particularly the southern states meet their energy supply needs,” Ms Deckart said.

This is despite the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) believing it will be another decade before gas demand outstrips supply.

Landowner Mr Allnut said “People, businesses, manufacturers, they need energy. I understand that, but I just wonder whether it’s more about making dollars than supplying us with energy.”

Mr and Mrs Allnut’s land backs onto the Ramsar wetlands and a new APA gas pipeline would create a 30-metre wide corridor through their property in Pearcedale.

Mussel producer Mr Harris is worried about the impact of chlorinated water on his mussel farm near Flinders.

“Mussels filter [and eat] algae from the water, and if anything is going to potentially harm those algae levels in Western Port Bay, then I’m concerned,” he said.

“They’re like the canaries of the sea.”

Louise Page from Save Westernport said, “We have no studies of the long-term effects that will have on the immediate environment and further afield.”

“There could be cold water plumes that could disturb the very sensitive marine life there … [the organisms in the seawater] are going to be dead when the water’s disgorged,” Ms Page said.

Despite fierce opposition to the project by Mornington Peninsula residents and local community groups, AGL is 100% committed to the project and is currently working on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for State and Federal Government approval by the end of 2019.

ABC News

Latest AGL News – EES Consultation Plan For Crib Point Project Now Available

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Dale Stohr

Time to start reading!

The Planning Minister Richard Wynne MP and DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning) have released the Final Scoping Requirements for the Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project.

These are the “terms of reference” that determine which matters need to be investigated as part of the EES (Environment Effects Statement).

DELWP has a Crib Point: AGL/APA project website with more information here

A new 40 page EES Consultation Plan has also been prepared by AGL and APA to seek feedback from the community and stakeholders on the Project.

This Plan details the EES process, describes the Gas Import Jetty and Pipeline Project and provides information on the community feedback received to date.

The EES Consultation Plan may be found here

AGL and APA will jointly deliver an EES report that assesses the potential impacts of the gas project as well as conduct a series of technical studies that form the basis of the EES report.

The EES will investigate matters such as effects on native flora, fauna and their habitats, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, adverse effects on the Western Port Ramsar site, etc.

The 28 page Scoping Requirements document can be found here

The Scoping Requirements FAQs may be found here

Save Westernport recommends that all residents take the time to read through the Plan and documents to learn about how the EES process works.

AGL and APA will also be holding new Community Drop-In Sessions from Saturday 23 February until 2 March 2019.

Local residents and stakeholders can meet AGL and APA employees (again), learn about technical studies and speak with specialists in key study areas (e.g. marine biodiversity).

See dates and locations below:

Cowes

When: Saturday 23 February, 12pm – 2pm

Where: Cowes Cultural Centre

91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes 3922

Crib Point

When: Tuesday 26 February, 7pm – 9pm

Where: Crib Point Community House

7 Park Road, Crib Point 3919

Officer

When: Wednesday 27 February, 7pm – 9pm

Where: Officer Public Hall

16-18 Tivendale Road, Officer 3809

Pearcedale

When: Thursday 28 February, 7pm – 9pm

Where: Pearcedale Community Centre

710 Baxter-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale 3912

Hastings

When: Saturday 2 March, 12pm – 2pm

Where: Hastings Community Hub

1973 Frankston – Flinders Road, Hastings 3915

DELWP, AGL & APA

“The Bentley Effect” Film Fundraiser On Saturday 23 Feb + Westernport Festival This Weekend!

Posted on February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 by Dale Stohr

Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council (WPPC) are hosting a fundraising screening of the award winning Australian doco film “The Bentley Effect” on Saturday 23 Feb at Rosebud (Peninsula Cinemas) at 6:00pm.

When the coal seam gas industry staked a claim on the Northern Rivers shire in NSW, alarm bells rang out. A critical mass of people from all walks of life organised themselves to rally against the unconventional gas invasion. Despite the enormous public opposition, the gas industry and the State Government were determined to see their gas plan through….

All proceeds to the No AGL Gas campaign. Get your tickets here and please tell your friends!

The 50th anniversary of the Westernport Festival in Hastings is on this weekend 22-24 Feb with the annual Hastings Day Parade on Saturday 23 Feb.

Where: High Street, Hastings – between Queen Street and Marine Parade.

Time: 12:15pm to 1:30pm (Hastings Day Parade)

Visit website here.

Save Westernport will also be having an info stall at the Womindjeka Balnarring Festival, on Saturday 23 March.

The festival celebrates Indigenous Culture, Sustainability and our own special community. FREE and family friendly, 10am-9pm.

WPPC

Western Port Festival Needs YOU! 22 – 24 Feb 2019

Posted on February 14, 2019February 15, 2019 by Dale Stohr

Western Port Festival invites YOU to help celebrate its 50th anniversary!

The 50th Western Port Festival is coming to Hastings Foreshore from Friday 22 February – Sunday 24 February 2019.

Festival organisers decided to refuse sponsorship from gas corporation AGL as AGL wants to build a huge, dirty gas import factory at Crib Point.

The organisers made a gutsy decision and we could not be more proud of them.

Everybody is invited to the Festival, so come and show your support and let them know we’re on their side!

You can join the parade at 12:00pm on Saturday 23 Feb and enjoy all the attractions, live music and great food.

Save Westernport and our supporters will be marching in the parade and the Big Green Chair will feature too!

We’re on board to celebrate our wonderful bay and the festival that brings us together.

Join in, have fun and spread the word!

Western Port Festival

Celebrate World Wetlands Day

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Candy van Rood

Celebrate World Wetlands Day on a beautiful twilight cruise with Save Westernport.

Come and join us for an evening celebrating our bay with great company, fascinating commentary and magical sights.

Relax and enjoy a drink* and complimentary canapes while cruising around our own precious Ramsar Westernport Bay.

Thanks to a generous supporter tickets are only $30.00 per person (normally $48.50)

Wildlife Coast Cruises has kindly offered to pick us up and drop off at Stony Point Pier.

Details:

Please be at Stony Point Pier at 6.45pm.

Boarding commences at 7.00pm with a 7.15pm departure. Returning at 8.45pm.

More information: 0412 860 606

bring binoculars!

*drinks available for purchase from licensed bar

book tickets

Thank You for Supporting the Peninsula’s Biggest Paddle Out!

Posted on January 11, 2019January 11, 2019 by Dale Stohr

What a great day for Westernport Bay!

Sunday 6th January 2019 will be long remembered as the day that local residents and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula gathered to protest peacefully against AGL’s plan to build a floating gas factory in Westernport Bay.

Almost 2,000 people met at Pines Beach in Shoreham to show their support for Westernport Bay and send a message to AGL as well as the Victorian Government and Federal Government that we will not stand idly by and watch the bay be degraded and exploited by big industry. The Victorian Government must act on behalf of all concerned residents of the Mornington Peninsula rather than the fossil fuels industry that has been the cause of such environmental damage in the past.

Hundreds paddled out and formed a heart-shape before splashing their support for the Bay with an atmosphere that was relaxed and put a smile on everybody’s faces! Having so many people attend this inaugural event made it a truly special day for our community and Westernport Bay.

We even made the Channel Nine News, Channel 7 News, Herald-Sun and a fantastic Western Port News front page!

Back on the beach and live music was performed by Amber Ferraro, The Warraines and Lachlan Dunne, Taylah Carroll and Bridget Allan—a brilliant soundtrack to the day. Thanks to Ron (@peninsulasc) for providing us with the power.

Save Westernport is proud to have supported the “Peninsula’s Biggest Paddle Out” and the many generous people who contributed their time to organising this enormous community action spearheaded by Hinetera Marino and her talented and enthusiastic team including Louise, Kate, Candy and all the volunteers. Thank you to Deidre and the Shoreham Foreshore Committee for their support and on-going management and protection of Shoreham Foreshore. Huge thanks to Andrew, Adam and all at Point Leo Surf Lifesaving Club for patrolling on the day.

Gratitude to Leyla (@leylabulmer) as our campaign designer for her beautiful artwork and gratitude to Zoe (@robo_photo) our campaign film maker. Thanks to @ayten and @lucyfound that plastered the Peninsula with “Paddle Out” posters to inform our local communities.

MCs Jack, Harry and Nathan did an amazing job and a big thank you to Daria (@whatisapoidea) for arranging organic, fair trade tees for us a week out from Christmas and the crew @sunbutteroceans and @salty_rose for providing your downright inspiring products!

Save Westernport thanks everybody that attended and contributed to the ‘Paddle Out’ and we look forward to seeing you again……

Photo Contributions

Peninsula’s Biggest Paddle Out – Car Parking Map and Advice

Posted on January 5, 2019January 5, 2019 by swpadmin

Sunday, January 6th is the day! Due to the incredible response to the “Peninsula’s Biggest Paddle Out” this Sunday, please note that car parking will be limited around Pines Beach at Shoreham where the event will be taking place.

With hundreds of people confirming their attendance on Sunday and a wedding at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Byrnes Road, Shoreham, the need for participants to car pool or organise a drop-off (and pickup later) is essential!

Please refer to the car parking map below and plan your journey to Shoreham before leaving home. Once the car park at the beach is full, car parking will be along Byrnes Road and Cliff Road with a short walk down to the beach. Look for anybody who may be dropping people off at the beach and find out if you can grab a lift.

Some people are also planning on parking at Point Leo and walking or paddling around. Be considerate of residents, and find a place that works for you.

Note: No car parking is permitted on Frankston-Flinders Road or on private property.

You can read our original announcement about the event for schedule information and other useful links.

Volunteers will be in attendance to assist in managing traffic and giving lifts—please be patient and arrive early before the “Paddle Out” begins.

To participate, you’ll need to sign a waiver when you sign-in on the day. Here is a copy for you to read in advance so you can save time:

Download the Peninsula Paddle Out Waiver here.

Save Westernport is pleased to assist the community by using its media avenues to get information to the public.

Then you can just…

Stay safe and enjoy this epic Paddle Out. We might even beat the world record (it’s only 511 paddlers!)

Parking Map for the Event

Get On Board! Peninsula’s Biggest Paddle Out, January 6th

Posted on December 24, 2018January 5, 2019 by swpadmin

Save Westernport is excited to help spread the word about this joyous Summer event, and to join with community in a peaceful protest of AGL’s floating gas proposal at Crib Point. Join us at Pines Beach in Shoreham from 2pm onward to show your support and meet members and supporters of the cause!

Refer to our latest update for information about where to park on the day, and any other instructions you may need.

Continue reading “Get On Board! Peninsula’s Biggest Paddle Out, January 6th” →