pipeline pressure continues

Me and Lorraine Leach (member of c4 Healesville) holding a sprig of Round Leaf Pomaderris, a critically endangered plant with only 100 mature specimens known to exist in the Toolangi - Castella region, right in the path of the pipeline. Its future is threatened by the construction of the pipeline.

Sunday saw the ongoing campaign to highlight issues around the construction of the North South pipeline to people who live in the city of Melbourne. To date the campaign has been driven by the community in rural areas. Plug the Pipe are doing a great job, now Friends of the Earth have joined the campaign to raise awareness in the city.

I was joined by approximately 50 other people from around the district to see for myself the destruction already caused by works on the pipeline. The works are an environmental disaster and present as a harsh scar on the landscape. In an area of forest under a special protection zone (SPZ) the vegetation has been cleared to bare dirt. It is a conservation tragedy and even more tragic given the still unproven water savings the project will deliver.

Council is opposed to the construction of the pipeline until claimed water savings can be demonstrated. Back in February, 2008 council resolved:
Extract from YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES -12/02/08
Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline
Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Dunn
That:
The State Government and Federal Government be advised that we oppose the construction of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Interconnector project until claimed water savings can be demonstrated.
A report providing a synopsis of the environmental, social and economic impacts for the Shire be prepared by officers and presented to the next Council Meeting.
A division was called.
For: Crs Dunn, Avery, Keane, Cliff and McRae
Against: Crs Smith, Warren, Cox and Heenan

We still haven’t had a sufficient response from government and yet without any real evidence of water savings construction has begun with untold consequences for the social fabric of our communities and to the detriment of our natural environment.

There are many alternatives to securing water for Melbourne, the most simple, water tanks. Melbourne receives 5 times the water it uses, it literally goes down the drain. Other options include upgrades to the Eastern Treatment and Western Treatment Plants, stormwater harvesting and of course ceasing logging in Melbourne’s water catchments. Whilst our government continues to concentrate on building massive infrastructure at a huge cost to the taxpayer, the environment and climate change, our water security is being squandered.

pipeline not popular

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This recent poll shows that many in the community share my view, the view of the Yarra Ranges Council, the view of The Greens and countless others; that the North South pipeline is a pipe dream. There are far more effective ways to augment Melbourne's water supplies, when will Mr Brumby listen to the electorate, we do not want a North South Pipeline. What we want is a secure water future which could be achieved by:

Water Tanks

Recycled Water

Infrastructure Efficiencies for industy, agriculture and domestic use

Stopping logging of Melbourne's water catchments

A wholistic approach must be taken to secure our water future.

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Thanks to PlugthePipe for the poll graphic.

the pipeline muster

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Me and Councillor Jeanette McRae join the muster.
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It was great to see a contingent from the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

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The Shire asked the state government to provide evidence of claimed water savings, we still have not seen any evidence to support their claims.

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The convoy through the city begins.

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The death of rural towns and the environment.

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Even the dogs are out of a job.
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By no means is this crowd "the usual suspects", on this issue the state government has got it wrong.

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Mr Brumby - don't let this be your downfall.

plug the pipe muster...3 june...more info

TUESDAY 3RD JUNE 2008

LOCK UP THE FARM,

SHUT UP THE SHOP,

TAKE THE DAY OFF

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BRING GRANDMA, GRANDPA AND THE KIDS

JOIN THE CONVOY DOWN THE HUME FREEWAY WITH YOUR UTE, CAR, TRUCK, SEMI

(Placards, signs, revolving flashing beacons on vehicles if you can)

>>>MEET: 10.30AM SHARP KILMORE MAIN STREET AT THE TOILET FACILITIES NEXT TO THE BOWLING CLUB AND OPPOSITE LANCEFIELD ROAD TURN OFF VICROADS P293 REF: O9
>>>BRIEFING THEN DEPART KILMORE 11AM SHARP
>>>ARRIVE: 12.30PM PARLIAMENT HOUSE, SPRING STREET

BYO FOOD & DRINK

Details of where to meet in YARRA RANGES: Dixons Creek, Steels Creek, Yarra Glen

If you wish to join the convoy meet in Yea at 9.30am, in the main street outside the swimming pool.

Alternatively go direct to Melbourne and meet at Parliament House. Look out for me, I'll be there and I hope a huge contingent from Yarra Ranges will be there too!

More info - vist http://www.plugthepipe.com/

from the round table - 13th May

It was a busy night at council this week with a lot of late items up for discussion, sometimes that’s just how it falls. "Late items through the chair" is always on the agenda and enables councillors to bring up any matters not listed on the agenda. Below is a short summary of some the issues raised this time round…

Wood and Water Project
"The Wood and Water Project - Harvesting in State forests supplying water to Melbourne" was set up as a flow from the 21st Century Melbourne: a WaterSmart City report and the Water White Paper. The project is to provide information for the Government to make decisions about the sustainable management of the State Forests that supply water to Melbourne. I sit on the Sustainability Assessment Stakeholder Reference Group and was very concerned to hear that of all the forestry management options being considered for assessment, ceasing logging immediately (2009/10) was not even on the table for consideration. I am concerned as to how government can make a fully informed decision if a full range of options including ceasing logging are not considered. As a result of my concerns I moved the following motion to see if council shared my concerns. I’m pleased to report that council unanimously supported me and my concerns.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and McRae
That Council writes to:
The Premier, John Brumby, the Minister for Water, Tim Holding, the Minister for Environment, Gavin Jennings, Ms Nina Cullen, Director, Public Land Policy, Department of Environment and Sustainability, Ms Mary Crooks, Chair Wood and Water Sustainability Assessment Project, Ms Joanne Wallace, Senior Policy Officer, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Ms Jodi Newcombe, Economist, URS Pty Ltd before the next Stakeholder Reference Group Meeting on the 2nd June, 2008, detailing the case for including as part of the assessments for the Wood and Water Project the option of ceasing logging in Melbourne's water catchments by 2009/10 and including reference to the 8 councils who have recently opposed logging in Melbourne's water catchments.
A Division was called.
For: Crs Heenan, Warren, Smith, Dunn, Avery, Keane, McRae, Cliff and Cox
Against: Nil

Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline Project
This project continues to move ahead in spite of a groundswell of opposition and a lack of information supporting the claimed water savings. Council requested that information on the claimed water savings be provided, to date we’re still waiting. In the latest turn of events seismic testing has been taking place in the Toolangi State Forest, there is a great deal of uncertainty as to whether this type of activity is allowed under a “controlled action”, our community needs to know so we hope the Federal Minister for Environment responds swiftly to our request.

Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Dunn
That Council writes to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett:
1. Requesting that compliance auditing be undertaken under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in regards to the seismic surveys currently being undertaken, in respect of the proposed Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline project, in the vicinity of the Toolangi State Forest.
2. Seeking advice as to the legality of the blasting actions so that our community can be informed.
That this letter be faxed through to the Minister on Wednesday, 14 May, 2008.

That a copy of this letter be provided to the State Minister for Planning and Community Development, Justin Madden.

GM Free Municipality
It was with some concern that our last request to the state government via the Premier to declare our municipality a GM free zone with powers available under section 21 of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 was dismissed with the government response being: “With regard to your suggestion that the Government establish GM and Gm-free areas, the Review Panel considered the issue of segregation and concluded that the market is well placed to ensure segregation of GM and non-GM crops should there be sufficient market demand, and that there is no need for Government involvement”. I’m not sure the government understood our request so I thought it was important that we re-request our municipality be declared a GM free zone.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Keane
That Council writes to the Premier, John Brumby, to request that the state government use its powers under the policy principle in Section 21 of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000, to declare the Shire of Yarra Ranges a GM free municipality.

Feed in Tariff Scheme
I was disappointed to hear that the recent Feed in Tariff Scheme announced would only pay out on excess energy fed into the grid. A system like this does little to stimulate the solar energy sector and discriminates against those who are at home during the daytime. Our community wants to do its bit to generate renewable energy <http://www.eps.vic.edu.au/renewablenergy/> but with policy like this in place it makes it very difficult for anyone to calculate their payback period or be enthusiastic about the change over to solar power generation.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Keane
That Council write to the Premier, John Brumby and the Minister for Energy, Peter Batchelor, expressing disappointment with the recently announced Feed in Tariff Scheme that will only provide financial return on excess energy fed into the grid, that such a scheme provides minimal and uncertain financial return and does little for the development of the solar industry in Victoria.

Further to that Council supports a Feed in Tariff Scheme that is based on Gross Production Metering Systems, which has a mandated price over a guaranteed time period to provide certainty for investment and provides fair financial returns to solar panel owners and does not discriminate against families, the elderly and those at home during the daytime (home businesses) who consume electricity during the day.


Federal Government Funding
I was very angry to learn of the axing of funding for the Burrinja Performing Arts Centre Project. This project was due to get funding from the Regional Partnerships Program. On Tuesday night the Rudd Government axed this program and with it funding for Burrinja (see blog entry 14/05). It is important to do all we can as a council to retain this federal funding and I for one will be working hard to ensure we keep the Burrinja project alive.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Cliff and Dunn
That Council support a campaign to retain the Federal Government funding for all projects subject to current funding requests including those within the Regional Partnership Program as well as seeking other sources of funding.

pipeline going down brumby's drain

There has been much news about the Sugarloaf Pipeline of late, much of it centred around what a flawed project it is. I couldn't agree more.
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How many more times does Premier Brumby have to hear how stressed the Murray Darling Basin is, before he puts a stop to the North South pipeline project?
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On a recent trip I needed to drive the length of the Melba Highway from the Shire of Yarra Ranges through to the Murrindindi Shire and beyond. I was impressed by the number of anti pipe signs on properties along the entire length of the highway.
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There is no doubt that there is serious community opposition to this project and with good reason. We are still to see any evidence of claimed water savings.
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Excerpt from YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES -12/02/08
Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline
Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Dunn
That:
1. The State Government and Federal Government be advised that we oppose the construction of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Interconnector project until claimed water savings can be demonstrated.
2. A report providing a synopsis of the environmental, social and economic impacts for the Shire be prepared by officers and presented to the next Council Meeting.
A division was called.
For: Crs Dunn, Avery, Keane, Cliff and McRae
Against: Crs Smith, Warren, Cox and Heenan

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It is hard not to be cynical about Seymour being on Stage 1 water restrictions. I was shocked to see people watering their gardens in the middle of the day and then saw the signage confirming that Stage 1 water restrictions apply to Seymour. Lake Eildon is at 14% capacity, Seymour is not awash with water. There is no spare water for Melbourne. .

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Toolangi State Forest is yet another loser, a 30 metre wide construction zone is required, all this vegetation will go, this is a very high price to pay for a pipe that will have no water running through it.

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There are much better options for water for Melbourne, lets hope that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will immediately implement his pre election policy statement * "in almost all of our cities we still waste more water than we should, with million of litres of storm water literally going down the drain. The combined volume of waste water and storm water discharged from households in each of Australia's major cities is far greater than the volume of water demand at each location. This is one of the areas where Labor hopes to encourage local innovation".

* Labor's National Plan to Tackle the Water Crisis - Election 2007 Policy Document.

the trouble with the pipeline....

In February Council resolved to oppose the pipeline until claimed water savings could be demonstrated, we are yet to see details of these savings.

In March Council resolved that our submission to the PIA seek a construction zone easement limited to 10 metres.

The panel hearings are currently underway as part of the process in response to the Project Impact Statement (PIA) released for the North South (Sugarloaf Interconnector) Pipeline. I have so many concerns in relation to this project it's difficult to know where to start. I attended the Shire presentation to the hearing at Yering on 8th April where the following matters were highlighted as significant, outstanding and unresolved issues:

1. The PIA relies very heavily on further detailed reports to finalise the works, this makes it very difficult to respond adequately and curtails the ability of the Shire (or the community) to respond comprehensively to the project
2. The further reports alluded to have not been completed so cannot be commented on by either the shire or the community
3. There is a need for an independent audit group to be established to oversee the implementation of the project
4. There is a need for a comprehensive communication strategy; to date communication about the project has been a major shortfall
5. Construction and final easements are massive, currently construction easements are anticipated to be 30mts with final easements being 15mts
6. It is still not clear whether the project will apply for planning permits through the shire or the minister will amend the planning scheme to exempt the project from planning scheme requirements
7. Loss of significant stands of vegetation, both in forested areas (Toolangi State Forest) and on roadside reserves
8. Fragmentation of habitat and impact on many threatened species
9. Loss of food and shelter for fauna and disturbance of breeding habits
10. Loss of canopy and understorey connections for fauna
11. Irreplaceable loss of large and medium old trees
12. Significant levels of construction traffic, noise and dust
13. Little consideration to compensating the broader community for impacts which go beyond direct compensation to affected landowners
14. Lack of detail with regard to proposed crossing methods for the 187 waterway crossings
15. Lack of assessment of all waterways, the 144 waterways that have been assessed have only been via roadside inspection and there has been no consideration that assessments have been undertaken during a period of extended drought
16. Energy required to pump water - this should be renewable energy
17. The sustainability assessment gives far too much weighting to economic impacts (at 60%), the weighting should be equally distributed between environment, social and economic impacts
18. Shire roads will deteriorate with construction traffic movements, estimated at 40,000 over the life of the project without including minor traffic movements estimated at around 10,000 traffic movements
19. There has been little effective communication and liaison between the Alliance (project managers) and the Shire, this needs significant improvement
20. Where will the excess fill be dumped?
21. Will the roads and roadside assets (drains, signs and bus shelters) be reinstated after the project?
22. Will dust suppression be applied to unmade roads, temporary access roads, stockpiles and disturbed areas?
23. How adequately will traffic be managed during construction?
24. Will the project operate 7 days a week?
25. Will the pipeline be at a depth to allow for future council underground drainage?
26. The impact on tourism will be great, currently tourism brings in around $330 million to the region, how will the community be compensated for both short and long term impacts?
27. The value of agricultural production in this region (wine industry) is currently valued at $235mil per annum, 30% of this production is within 5 kilometers of the planned pipeline route

This list is by no means exhaustive, there are many matters of concern, this list highlights some of the local concerns. It does not begin to address alternate sources of water for Melbourne or the broader issues in relation to water security for Victoria.

When our Minister for Tourism claims there will no effect on tourism, he is wrong. Should this project go ahead, I hope the Minister takes the time to visit affected communities, brings his wallet and makes up for the shortfall that will happen as a consequence of this project.

report from the round table 8/4

Thought I'd start a new regular entry in my blog about council meetings, this week I'm going to focus on a section of our meetings called reports from delegates (this is a section where councillors report back on their activities for the last two weeks), read on to find out more....

SELBY CFA - 2nd April

I had the great pleasure of presiding over the elections at the Selby CFA AGM. This year saw the longstanding Captain of the brigade, Neville Oldham, retire. Neville was Captain for 14 years, a record at Selby CFA. The strength and cohesiveness of the brigade is a great credit to his leadership over the years.

It was great to see two women contesting the position of Captain, Sandra Jenkins won on the night, my congratulations to Sandra, I look forward to working with Sandra in the future.

MAV SEAG - 3rd April

Also known as the Municipal Association of Victoria Strategic Environment Advisory Group. I attended a meeting of this group whose role it is to discuss a range of issues in relation to local government and the environment.

Of particular note was a presentation by Associate Professor Brian Finlayson who presented detailed information on the impact of logging in Melbourne's water catchments. The information confirmed Yarra Ranges stance to opppose logging in our catchments. There is no doubt that logging effects water yield - dramatically.

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VLGA Forum - 3rd April

Also known as the Victorian Local Government Association. I attended a forum focussing on logging in Melbourne's water catchments. This issue is really gaining traction in the local government sector - read my last blog entry for more info on this one.

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Leader Newspaper Public Transport Forum - 7th April

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I attended a forum for a campaign Leader Newspaper is running to improve public transport in the Upper Yarra corridor.

Many of the issues faced by the Upper Yarra community are very similar to those in the Dandenong Ranges who do not live close to Belgrave station. It is very clear what our community needs is a well connected and frequent public transport service, this is critical to address social isolation, climate change and peak oil. Lets hope those in power are listening.

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North South Pipeline Hearings - 8th April

The panel hearings are currently underway in Yering (Yarra Valley) in relation to the Project Impact Statement (PIA) for the North South (Sugarloaf Interconnector) Pipeline. There are so many concerns in relation to this project it's difficult to know where to start (I've done a separate blog entry with more info). I attended the Shire presentation on Tuesday 8th April where the staff did a great job detailing our concerns.

where are the water savings????

Tonight (12/2/08) council resolved to oppose the Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline until we have seen evidence to support claimed water savings.

It is my view that this project is yet another example of poor water policy from the Brumby government. There will be massive destruction of our environment and to date we have seen no evidence that the claimed 75 gigalitres will actually flow through the pipeline to Melbourne.

I believe this project has been flawed from the start, we cannot rob Peter to pay Paul, to take water from our agricultural sector (those who grow our food) is outrageous and foolhardy.

There are many opportunities for Melburnians to gain water savings. The Brumby government should be concentrating on stormwater harvesting, efficiency gains throughout the system, recycling and making water tanks mandatory on all new developments. There are many more options than the pipeline.

Our precious environment will be carved up with a 30 metre construction zone required for the majority of the pipeline. This is massive destruction for unproved savings.

When will the Premier, the Ministers and local members start to listen to their constituency?

If you'd like to know more or get involved in the campaign visit http://www.plugthepipe.com/index.html

the sugarloaf pipeline, no ees for yarra ranges

I was greatly disappointed to learn that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) will not be required for the Sugarloaf Pipeline, as announced by Planning Minister Justin Madden in late December, 2007.


“Having reviewed all the information from Melbourne Water I have concluded that an Environment Effects Statement is not required for the Sugarloaf Pipeline,” Mr Madden said.

“The flexible alignment of the pipeline means potential environmental effects can be avoided or mitigated as has been the case with the construction of other pipelines in Victoria including the Goldfields Superpipe and the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline which didn’t require an EES.”

The study area through the Shire of Yarra Ranges for the project covers a north/south corridor between 2 and 4 kilometres wide from Mt Slide to Sugarloaf Reservoir. The region is characterised by:
> High value conservation areas including the Toolangi State Forest, waterways, wetlands and stands of significant indigenous vegetation.
> High quality agricultural land.
> Yarra Valley tourism including vineyards and bed and breakfast style accommodation.
> Townships including Yarra Glen, Dixons Creek and Steels Creek.
> Cultural and heritage values.

I hope the Minister is true to his word and the alignment of the pipeline does avoid any environmental impacts in the Shire. From the information given to council I have fundamental concerns about the short and long term impact of this project on the region. The construction phase incorporates a disturbance corridor some 20 to 30 metres wide, which will have an immediate and detrimental impact. Restrictions on the future use of the easement will reduce the opportunity for rehabilitation and alter the way the land can be used in the longer term thereby permanently affecting the character of the region.

Threats in terms of damage to waterways and further fragmentation of remnant vegetation and fauna habitat cannot be mitigated with rehabilitation and offset planting. The short term disruption and the impact of the restricted use of easements will have a long lasting impact on the agricultural, wine production and tourism activities in the region.

Council has no control of the planning process, it has been taken out of our hands. As the level of government closest to the community I have a high degree of concern about the project as does our community. Given the sensitivity of our precious environment in Yarra Ranges I hope that the Minister reconsiders the alignment, it is paramount that the pipeline's flexibility avoids any environmental impacts rather than mitigate them.

It is unfortunate that the state government is taking this direction to secure water for Melbourne, there are many other ways to secure our water future; like embracing water sensitive design principles, capturing stormwater, providing better incentives to retrofit existing buildings, meeting water efficiency targets and reusing storm water.

Pipelines, Desal plants, logging our precious water catchments are not the long term solution to water supply for Melbourne.

the sugarloaf interconnector pipeline

the story so far: A report on Friday's activities at Toolangi.

After dismissive and insightful comments by Minister Holding after the Yea Wetlands meeting with concerned people opposed to the North-South Pipeline, he was again confronted in a peaceful manner, by more concerned people when he visited Toolangi (21/09/07) in the upper reaches of the Goulburn Valley.

It was ironic that the Minister was present to launch a Tourism Guide for the Murrindindi Region, when his actions as Water Minister will destroy some of the wonderful attributes the guide seeks to promote (Lake Eildon, Goulburn River, and the aesthetically pleasing Melba Highway drive).

With people becoming extremely stressed as representatives from Melbourne Water try to gain access to private property, tensions are rising and people wanted proper answers from the Minister for Water, Mr. Holding.

When questioned the Minister gave answers to the people that relied on the Government spin and rhetoric, which didn't stack up against the detailed questions put to him by those present.

The Minister was then asked to name the major agricultural product grown in this part of the Goulburn Valley in Toolangi. He was not able to answer; he had no knowledge of the agricultural crops his Government's actions were impacting on.

Toolangi is the home of a $100 million fresh strawberry industry. Around 80% of the nations strawberry runners, which are required to grow fresh strawberries, come from farms around Toolangi.

These farmers are stressed by lack of water and cannot understand how water can be stolen from the Goulburn Valley, when it is desperately needed to grow fresh produce for the people of Melbourne and beyond.

This incident may have been embarrassing to the Minister, but it clearly demonstrated to those present the city centric nature of the Labor Government.
















Demonstrators confront Minister Holding in Toolangi

The Minister's exit was delayed as the concerned people were not happy as the Minister had not answered all their questions and they voted not to release his car from the carpark. This demonstrated the contrast with the Government dealing with a unelected, unrepresentative, and unaccountable group in Shepparton on the future of our water.

The Minister avoided answering further questions by walking out of the car park to another vehicle and was whisked away back to the safety of Melbourne.

The concerned people reminded him that everytime he visits the Goulburn Valley they will continue to hold him to account for his Government's bad and rushed water policy on the North-South Pipeline, that steals water from a stressed catchment, which puts the lives and livelihoods of Victorian people at risk and gains a undertaking from him or the Premier that his government will fulfill its pre-election commitment to not take water from North to South of the Great Dividing Range and to find other answers for Melbourne's water crisis.

Want to know more? Visit: http://www.plugthepipe.com/ or email pipeline.resistance@gmail.com

Words by Mike Dalmau (thanks Mike)