samantha in the press

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Greens push to make rail a priority
Manningham Leader
by Shannon Nagyivan
6 Oct 2014

samantha in the press - environment

Anti-logging rally at Cement Creek
Leader Newspapers
by Staff Writer
15 Aug 2011

picnic at cement

Today saw local environment group, Warburton Environment, organise the Biggest Picnic Ever in the Forest, up near Cement Creek in the forests behind Warburton.

I joined with 150 community members to learn about the proposed logging of the Cement Creek area.

Many people spoke on the day about various subjects, some on the values of the forest, the endangered species that live in the forests and to highlight just how very special these forests are.

Thanks to Michael Nardella for this image.
I spoke about the history of Yarra Ranges opposing logging in water catchments which came about due to proposed logging in 2007. As a response to local concerns I moved a motion which saw The Shire of Yarra Ranges oppose logging in our water catchments and 14 other councils join with us in opposing logging in water catchments.

Greg Barber MLC, Greens Environment spokesperson was there, talking about Leadbeater's Possums and the immense value of our forests as terrestrial carbon stores.









Steve Meacher, committed community campaigner for the Toolangi forests, spoke about the campaign in Toolangi and the enormous effort of community to highlight the issues of logging this forest.

These areas are part of Melbourne's Water Catchments, integral to the supply of clean, fresh water to Melbourne. We can't enter but it seems the logging industry can.

Bernie Mace, was there too, Bernie has been instrumental in the Toolangi Forests campaign. Bernie has been studying the forests for many years and his knowledge of the forest and the creatures who inhabit it is extensive.

The support to stop logging our native forests continues to grow, to have 150 community members in this remote location is a testament to their commitment.

route 694 questioned in parliament

It was good to hear Greens MLC and spokesperson for Public Transport, Greg Barber, raise the issue of Route 694 in parliament this week.

Mr Barber asked a question without notice to the Minister for Public Transport, Martin Pakula.

Regular readers will know there’s been a question mark over the future of Route 694 as it has been recommended for removal in the Yarra Ranges Bus Review.

Mr Barber directly asked the Minister “Can the minister confirm that the recommendation of the bus review that route 694 be removed is not going to be followed?”

The Minister’s response, “ I am advised -- and I will advise Mr Barber further if this is not the case, but I imagine that he would not expect me to have encyclopaedic knowledge of every bus route in Melbourne -- and my advice to him and to the Parliament is that despite that recommendation there are no changes envisaged to bus route 694 at the current time.”

No changes envisaged...at the current time....What does this mean, not before the election? How long is “the current time” and can residents truly feel reassured?

Of concern is another part of the Minister’s response “Equally there are other recommendations in the bus reviews that are not now or in the future ultimately accepted by the department.” This leads to more questions, what other recommendations outlined in the bus review might not be “ultimately accepted by the department”?

The bus reviews set a lot of expectations in our community that we would get improved services throughout the shire, it’s up to us to make sure those expectations are fulfilled.

If you’d like to read the entire transcript of the question without notice click here.

station blitz public transport action

coming to a railway station near you – Monday 13 July

Look out for me and other Greens at Belgrave, Upwey and Boronia stations.

We will be handing out flyers to encourage commuters to attend the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Train Failures hearings on 21 July and to sign up for updates about the Inquiry.

The Upper House inquiry into train failures was initiated by Greg Barber MLC earlier this year and the public hearings begin on 21 July 2009. If you’d like to jump on board and help out visit http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/TrainInquiry.

It's not too late to make a submission to the Inquiry yourself. The Inquiry's terms of reference are to inquire into the factors leading to and causes of failures in the provision of metropolitan and V/Line train services.

You might like to suggest some answers to questions like:
- In what way have rail services failed?
- Why have train services failed?
- What should be done to improve train services?

Feeling inspired, do you know the answers, then it’s time to write your submission! Visit http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/TrainInquiry for the link to forward your submission.

yarra ranges deliver message on logging

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Yesterday the people of Warburton presented the Premier with a recycled cardboard forest with messages from across the Yarra Ranges community concerned about logging of Melbourne's water catchments.

The people went to Parliament to highlight the plight of Melbourne's water catchments.

The forest 'grew' on the steps of Parliament and a 30 metre scroll was unfurled with even more messages to the Premier urging him to stop the logging of our catchments.

"Dear Mr Brumby, Our community wants logging in water catchments to stop, this is the will of the people. Cr Samantha Dunn, Shire of Yarra Ranges."

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There is no doubt the momentum on this issue is growing. The people of Melbourne need to know their catchments are being compromised by logging activities. I congratulate the Warburton community for bringing their message to the city.

Water is precious, we cannot afford to further compromise supply by logging our catchments.

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Me and Colleen Hartland (Greens MLC for the Western Metropolitan region) enjoying the forest scene on the steps of Parliament. "

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Today in Parliament, Greg Barber (Greens MLC for the Northern Metropolitan Region), applauded the seven councils who oppose logging in catchments "I commend those municipalities that have joined together to oppose logging in Melbourne’s mountain forest water catchments, led by Cr Samantha Dunn of the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Seven councils have joined this push — the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Bayside City Council, Whitehorse City Council, Moreland City Council, Port Phillip City Council, Yarra City Council and Knox City Council — representing 800 000 Melburnians."

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To read the full statement on hansard visit http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard/pdf/Council/Feb-Jun%202008/Council%20Feb-Jun%202008%20Daily%2015%20April%202008.pdf