On a glorious sunny afternoon on July 1 2018 many hundreds of people came down to the Hastings foreshore to add their numbers to the growing opposition against the two ill-considered industrial proposals currently threatening the Bay.
Locals and lovers of Westernport gathered to protest the AGL/APA Gas import facility at Crib Point, and the Kawasaki coal-to-hydrogen project that would export through the Port of Hastings. Though the day was festive and colourful, the main focus of the gathering was to raise community awareness about the risks associated with these outdated fossil fuel technologies, and to discover what we can all do to make sure that these projects are scrapped, and common sense prevails.
The successful rally was organised by Save Westernport and Western Port Protection Council, (WPPC) with support from Crib Point Action Group, Environment Victoria and Friends of the Earth.
Speakers outlined the inevitable dangers of the two proposals, and the alternatives that are available to promote the enormous Environmental and economic value of Westernport Bay in its healthy state.
Supporters of the Campaign assembled into the shape of an enormous ship, just half the length of the 295m floating gas factory that they propose to permanently moor at Crib Point jetty.
On such a glorious winter afternoon, it was wonderful to see the community engage in appreciation of our beautiful Bay, and in their determination to defend it from the onslaught of inappropriate development.