Green Action News - Spring 2008

WORK I N G T O G E T H E R P R O T E C T I N G V I C T O R I A ’ S E N V I R O NM E N T ISSUE 5 Z SPRING 2008

Turning up the Heat Why we’re raising the temperature on the State Government.

Saving the MurrayRiver Red Gums

People’s ActionPlan Gears Up

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3Turning Up

the Heat on

the State Government

4Young Leader Steps

in to Protect the

Environment

4MECU Launches First

Conservation Landbank

6Eco-Wise Senior

Passes It On

7Step Out for the Walk

Against Warming

8Victoria’s Red Gums

Hanging in the Balance

9Celebrating

Hattah Lakes10Faces of the

Yea River

12 13What’s Up

with Waste

T H I S I S S U E

State Government’s

Climate Credentials

Under Fire

14 15Upcoming Events

Larissa Brown:

Young

Environmentalist

of the Year

Green Action NewsIssue 5, Spring 2008Design 2Fish ProductionsPrint Print BoundContributing writers

Michele Burton, Daniel Clarke,Charlie Davie, Leonie Duncan,Zoe Gaylard, Vicki Kyriakakis,Juliet Le Feuvre, VictoriaMcKenzie-McHarg, VerityMcLucas, Kelly O’Shanassy, Mark Wakeham Editor

Vicki Kyriakakis (03) 9341 [email protected] Membership enquiries

Jennifer Jordan (03) 9341 [email protected] Green Action News is anEnvironment Victoria publication. For more information, visitwww.environmentvictoria.org.auEnvironment Victoria would

like to thank Print Bound

for its in-kind support.

Letters to the EditorWinter 2008 a great edition, but more tips please!

Congratulations on another great edition of Green ActionNews. What I liked: the page showing what affiliate groups aredoing; the insert regarding the Biodiversity Paper submission;and the critique on the state and federal budgets. How canmembers do what is needed so that next year's budget has theright things in it? The many references to community-basedprograms were also good. I would like to know what messagesand approaches have worked. I would like to convince my ownrelatives and friends to change their ways, but my attempts sofar have only annoyed them. The People's Action Plan andEddington Report articles were good. Are there URLs withhelpful items for a submission? I would like to see moresimple messages, hints and ideas about how we can changeour own lives to be more green (priorities and measures mightbe useful). I'd also like to see more opportunities to givefeedback to government and write submissions.— Peter Flanagan, Brunswick, Victoria

Ed: We hear you loud and clear! So we’ve put together a list ofresources that will help you talk about climate change to yourfamily and friends (page 13). See also our article ‘Turning Up theHeat’ on the next page for a list of ways you can help us turn up theheat on the State Government and demand a better environmentalperformance from our state representatives. In the next fewmonths they’ll be making some crucial decisions about the futureof Victoria’s environment. We need your voice to help us get thebest possible outcomes! (Also see page 8 for your chance to helpus save the Murray River Red Gum forests). Thank you so much foryour ongoing support.

Send your letters to The Editor via email to:[email protected] or via post to:The Editor, Green Action News, PO Box 12575, A’Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006.

The challenges facing Victoria’senvironment are heating up butthe State Government’s recentenvironmental performancesuggests it is not up to meetingthem. Environment Victoria CEO Kelly O’Shanassy talks aboutthe Brumby Government’s failureto deliver and our decision to turn up the heat.IN JULY THIS year, I wrote an opinionpiece for The Age (29/7/2008) titled‘Brumby’s Green Promise Belies aLitany of Failures’. The article outlinedour view that the Brumby Governmenthad failed the environment across abroad range of areas, including ourcampaign areas of climate change,river health, sustainable transport andbiodiversity protection.Recent decisions, such as the fundingof a new coal-fired power station forVictoria and the blockage of proposalsto get more water into the MurrayRiver, could prove disastrous forVictoria’s environment. This is madeworse by the government’s continuedpreference for large, polluting projects(such as freeways, desalination plantsand power stations) over sustainable,decentralised environmental solutions(such as energy and water efficiency,water recycling, public transport andeffective solar feed-in laws). The resultis a failure on the part of the StateGovernment to rise to the modernchallenges facing our environment.We outlined these concerns in recentmeetings with Victorian ALP membersof parliament and we’ve signalled ourdecision to ramp up our campaigns to

shape community opinion.With over two years until the next stateelection, we believe that the only way toachieve a change in direction is tomobilise community concern about theBrumby Government’s performance onthe environment.We’ll be ramping up the pressure byexpanding our on the ground work inparts of the state and campaigning forthe adoption of environmentalsolutions. We’ll put our solutions onthe table and we’ll welcomeprogressive environmental policy fromany political party. If the State ALP turns around itsenvironmental performance in thecoming 12 months we will be the firstto welcome that progress. But we willbe talking with all political parties toemphasise that Victorians want goodenvironmental policies.To meet the climate change and watercrisis, tough decisions will need to bemade. Decisions that may not bewelcomed by everybody in thecommunity. The environment, however,cannot be continually treated as theleast important interest in decision-making or we will lose our battleagainst climate change and see moreplaces like the Coorong lost to decadesof inaction and neglect.Environment Victoria is drawing a linein the sand and we want the StateGovernment, and all parties, to rise tothe challenge.

To read Kelly’s Opinion Piece, visithttp://www.theage.com.au/opinion/brumbys-green-promise-belies-a-litany-of-failures-20080728-3m89.html?page=-1. Contact Kelly O’Shanassy on (03) 9341 8119 or via email at [email protected] more information.

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TURNING UP THEHEAT> Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO

f u t u r e d i r e c t i o n s

W H Y W E’R E R A I S I N G T H E T E M P E R AT U R E O N T H E S TAT E G O V E R N M E N T

HELP US TURN UP THE DIAL!

• The State Government has a chance tobreak with its recent poor performance inthe coming months as it makes a series ofcrucial decisions for the future of Victoria’senvironment. This includes a decisionabout protecting the Murray River RedGum forests and wetlands (see our articleon page 8), a decision on Melbourne’stransport future and whether to invest inmore freeways or public transport, and thepassing of legislation on the Solar Feed-InTariff. Why not contact your local MP andlet them know it’s time they stood up forthe environment! You can find details ofyour local member athttp://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/handbook/menupage.cfm?menuId=1

• Join hundreds of concerned Victorians anddonate to our People’s Action Plan Appeal.Your support will help us develop acomprehensive plan of action to urgentlydeal with climate change and take itstraight to government, business and thecommunity. You can fill in our donationform on page 15, or visit us atwww.environmentvictoria.org.au anddonate online.

• Step Out for Walk Against Warming onNovember 15, 2008 and let the State andFederal Governments know that you’ll onlyaccept real and urgent action to preventrunaway climate change. (See page 7 formore details).


i n t h e c o m m u n i t y

Young leadersteps in toprotect theenvironment> Charlie Davie, Multicultural Leaders inSustainability, Project Manager

When Afghanistan-born FatemehAli Hosseini first came to Australiafrom Iran with her brother andsister two years ago, she was just19. But the now 21 year old, whoarrived in Australia as a refugee,wasn’t sure what to expect whenshe started Environment Victoria’sMulticultural Leaders inSustainability Program.

“AT FIRST I didn’t know much aboutthis program, but after a few weeks Irealised how great it was. It has beenso useful for me,” Fatemeh says aboutthe program that she claims taught herto become a leader.“Through this program we decided tobecome leaders and speak in front ofpeople. It was my first time doing thisbut now I know I can. We learnt that tobe a leader you first need to be aleader for yourself, to know yourself,then you can be a leader for yourcommunity.”Environment Victoria’s Multicultural

Leaders for Sustainability programgives young people from varied culturalbackgrounds the skills and knowledgeto educate their communities aboutenvironmental challenges andsolutions. With the program’s guidance, Fatemehhas helped design and deliver acommunity project to educate peers inher community about climate changeand household energy use. Her projectteam distributed 350 energy efficient

VICTORIA’S LARGEST CREDIT union,mecu has set an industry first inconservation with a decision to direct apercentage of its profits each year tobuilding and preserving Australiannative forests.In what is believed to be a first in theworld, for every new homeconstruction financed by mecu, it willset aside an equivalent land area ofnative bushland into its Landbankthereby assisting to offset any

associated loss of biodiversity.Properties allocated into the Landbankwill be protected by a Trust for NatureConservation Covenant against anyfuture development.The initiative has been applauded byLandcare Australia and Trust forNature who have partnered with mecuto develop the Landbank, describing itas an exciting model for business andorganisations serious about theirenvironmental impact andconservation.

mecu’s first acquisition into theLandbank is a 201 hectare property inVictoria’s west Wimmera region called‘Minimay’. Purchased from the Trustfor Nature Revolving Fund, the propertyis in an area that is home to Victoria’smost endangered bird the South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. Chief Executive Phyl Doughty saidmecu’s vision is to develop the bio-diversity of the property to supportwildlife and build and protect the nativebushland. To find out more about mecu phone 132 888or visit www.mecu.com.au.

i

lights at her school and through theAsylum Seeker Centre in Dandenong.She has been inspired by the results.“I would like to continue to help withthis work any way I can in the future. Iam planning to write aboutenvironmental issues in our localcommunity newsletter, which is in myown language.”Fatemeh enjoyed many parts of theprogram, but her favourite momentscame while camping in the StrzeleckiRanges in the Gippsland area. “We sawa healthy river and the beautifulnatural environment, which I had neverseen before in Australia. It’s soimportant to protect this.”And she feels that it is crucial thatother young people step up to take careof the environment. “It is so importantto our lives now and to our future.What we do now will affect futuregenerations. Can you imagine if wedidn’t have any more water or energy?”“We all need to put our hands togetherand work together to save theenvironment for all people and for thefuture.”The Multicultural Leaders inSustainability program is run inpartnership with the Centre forMulticultural Youth.Interested in our next Multicultural Leadersin Sustainability Program? You can find out more about by contactingProgram Manager, Charlie Davie on (03) 93418108 or emailing [email protected].

Fatemeh has been inspired by

Environment Victoria’s program to

do more to achieve sustainability

for her community.

Environment Victoria’s vision is to mobilise 5 million people to take careof our environment. Here we look at an example of a business that wethink is making a big difference for our environment and, we hope,leading the way for others to follow.

MECU launches first conservation landbank> Zoe Gaylard, MECU


s u s t a i n a b l e l i v i n g p r o g r a m

ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA’S ECO-WISE

Train the Trainer program waslaunched in April this year in a bid tohelp seniors spread the sustainabilitymessage further. The recent programtook ten seniors in the Bendigo regionand trained them to become leaders inenvironmental sustainability. The goal was to create a group ofconfident leaders who could then run

their own environmental initiatives,whether this was helping a neighbourto do a home audit or running anenvironmental program with a localcommunity group. As community developer for her localMcIvor Neighbourhood House, Sandrawas very attracted to the prospect.“We’ll be focusing on the environmentover the next 12 months. So when Iheard about the Train the Trainerinitiative I realised it could provide mewith some valuable information andinsights into how to run anenvironmental program,” Sandra said.The program included field trips to helpthe leaders gain an understanding ofsustainability in action. Sandra said herfavourite field trips were the visits to aschool that directly involves students inenvironmental activities and to adomestic waste recycling plant.“I found the school so inspiring. Thekids were involved in so many things:in revegetation, from picking outseedlings to planting trees, caring forlivestock and even building a wetland. Ireally liked the fact that the kids did

Eco-wise seniorpasses it on> Michele Burton, Sustainable Living Project Manager

Sandra Slatter has always been environmentally conscious. After living under self-imposed level 4 waterrestrictions for several years, she’s committed to doing her part for the environment. That’s how thegrandmother of 11 came to hear about Environment Victoria’s Seniors Eco-Wise Train the Trainer program.

Sandra Slatter (far right, second row) was inspired by her field trip visit to

a local school. “[They’re] well prepared to take care of our fragile

environment.”

Interested in our next

Eco-Wise program?

Environment Victoria’s Senior Eco-WiseAction program will commence workingwith seniors in both the Geelong andSurf Coast regions from September 10,2008 onwards. This program helpsseniors live more sustainably, savemoney off their bills and helps protectthe environment all at the same time.There are still places available in bothregions, but they’re filling up quickly! Tobook your place in the workshop seriesor to find out more, contact KatelynFryer on (03) 9341 8102 or by email [email protected].

Interested in our next

Eco-Wise program?

Help us spread the

sustainability message

further

We rely on your help to keep ourprograms and campaigns going.Become a Green Action Partner todayand help us spread the sustainabilitymessage further. Simply fill in the formon page 15 of this edition of GreenAction News or visitwww.environmentvictoria.org.au and fill in our online form. For more information about becoming aGreen Action Partner, contact JenniferJordan on (03) 9341 8126.

Help us spread the

sustainability message

further

the tour with us and were able toanswer many of our often quitecomplex questions. It was aninspiration and really helped us seniorsrealise that some of ourgrandchildren’s generation are wellprepared to take good care of ourfragile environment.”Sandra is now using the links andcontacts she made on the visits towork on her own environmentprograms. “It has been such a useful experience. Ifeel better able to help my communitytake environmental action and I foundit fascinating to go on this journey withother seniors and to feel moreconnected to my community. It will beinteresting when we all meet up againto find out what we’re all doing.”

“I FOUND THE SCHOOL SO INSPIRING. THE KIDSWERE INVOLVED IN SO MANY THINGS”

IN THE LAST edition of Green ActionNews, we appealed for donations tofund a People’s Action Plan to helpslash our greenhouse pollution. Theresponse so far has beenextraordinary. From around the state,concerned Victorians have been gettingbehind our plan to help solve theclimate crisis. We’re going to take our solutionsstraight to government and businessand demand real action to secure thehealth of our climate. The plan willfocus on the big issues such as highlypolluting coal-fired power plants,rising transport emissions, wasteemissions and major infrastructuredecisions that impact ourenvironment’s future. We’ll thenpromote your solutions throughout thestate to key decision makers.

In the coming months we’ll bepreparing a report which outlines howVictoria can achieve consistent falls inemissions by 2010 and at least halveemissions by 2020. The report will beprepared with the generous help ofconsultancy firm Nous and will outlinethe necessary policy measures toachieve these targets. It will alsoprovide the basis for our Safe ClimateCampaign for the coming years.We’ll then bring the report to you, thecommunity, to seek endorsement forour vision and we’ll be asking thegovernment, influential individuals and organisations to sign up to ourAction Plan.

Thank you!We’d like to thank everyone who hasdonated to our People’s Action Plan

appeal. Your contributions, large andsmall, are already making a bigdifference. We had intended to thankall our major donors by name but therehave been so many, that we justhaven’t had time to ask for everyone’spermission. So consider this ourofficial thank you! We couldn’t do itwithout you.

It’s not too lateWe’ve come a long way but we’re stillshort of our goal to raise $500,000 tocreate the People’s Action Plan onClimate Change. Help us take youraction plan straight to where it can dothe most good by donating to ourPeople’s Action Plan appeal online atwww.environmentvictoria.org.au orusing the donation form on page 15.Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information on the People’s ActionPlan on Climate Change, contact CampaignsDirector, Mark Wakeham on (03) 9341 8127.


> Vicki Kyriakakis, Communications Officer

> Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, Climate Change Campaigner

People’s action plan onclimate change gears up

s e c u r i n g o u r c l i m a t e

WITH THE ARCTIC summer ice meltingfast, and predictions it could be gonewithin five years, there is no excuse forwasting time. Without immediate anddeep emission reductions we risk ourfuture, and the future of our children. Australians have a new federalgovernment elected on a platform ofclimate change action. But we have notseen the immediate emissionsreductions needed to help us avoidrunaway climate change. Even theproposed Emissions Trading Scheme isfull of loopholes and exemptions. For Victorian politicians, the threat ofclimate change is yet to sink in. A

proposed new coal-fired power stationsupported by the Brumby Governmentshows that this government has not yetheeded the community’s call: WE WANT REAL ACTION NOW!

This year the Walk Against Warmingwill be held at 1pm on Saturday,November 15 at Federation Square. Weneed you to get on board and help usmake this year’s walk as big as possibleto send a strong message to ourgovernments. Book it into your diarytoday. Bring your children, yourparents, your grandparents, friends,neighbours and colleagues. The wholecommunity wants action now, and we

need you to help bring them along onthe day. We also need volunteers to help uspublicise the event. If you have anyspare time to help out or want to knowmore, please contact Victoria McKenzie-McHarg [email protected] or on (03) 9341 8112. Together we can make this year’s WalkAgainst Warming the best ever.

WANT TO DO YOUR BIT FOR

WALK AGAINST WARMING?

Download our easy to use resources at

www.environmentvictoria.org.au

Step up the pressure at the Walk Against Warming!

Last year the Walk Against Warming saw 50,000 people take to the streets of Melbourne to demand real actionon climate change. Two weeks later we had a new federal government and a month after that, Australia finallysigned the Kyoto Protocol. However with signs that the problem is worse than we thought, the case forimmediate and urgent action is stronger than ever.

Donations have been pouring in as Victorians get behind our campaignto develop a People’s Action Plan for Climate Change and take it straightto the halls of power.

Your planet. Your climate. Your chance.

1pm, 15 November 2008.

Federation Square, Melbourne.

Last year, record numbers of Victorians joined Environment Victoria in the world’s biggest

climate change rally. Four weeks later, the new government ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

This year, the stakes are even higher. Step out for Australia’s community day of action on

climate change and join us as we walk in support of real and immediate action to secure

our climate. Together we can create a better future for our children.

Get involvedwww.environmentvictoria.org.au

For more information, contact Environment Victoria

on (03) 9341 8112 or email [email protected].

Walk Against Warming is brought to you by Environment Victoria in partnership with Victoria’s climate action groups.

walkagainst warming


UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE also severelystressed by lack of water and under-represented in national parks on both sides ofthe Murray. Over 75 per cent of the red gumsare now in poor health or already dead andwater bird populations are in freefall asindividuals get too old to breed.Over the past three years, the VictorianEnvironment Assessment Council (VEAC) hasconducted a rigorous investigation of theforests. The process has led them to make anumber of excellent recommendations fortheir protection.VEAC has proposed the creation of five newnational parks and the significant expansionof two existing ones. Together with expandedrecreation reserves along the Murray River,this would protect 14 per cent of the originalriverine forests and wetlands.Under VEAC’s proposals, the Barmah NationalPark and Nyah-Vinifera Park would be co-managed with the local indigenous people andseveral other areas would be managed withthe assistance of Aboriginal AdvisoryCommittees. The proposals allow for thephasing out of stock-grazing on public landand water frontages, and allow a restructureof the timber industry to accommodate thenew national parks. The Council’s proposalshave also addressed community concernsover access, camping, camp fires, domesticfirewood collection and hunting.VEAC has highlighted the critical importanceof regular flooding of the River Red GumForests, to keep the forests and wetlandsalive. The reduced frequency of flooding isdescribed as “the most urgent and seriousenvironmental problem in the investigationarea”. Environment Victoria is working toensure that the Red Gum Forests are bothprotected as National Parks and also receivethe water they need to survive.VEAC’s socio-economic analysis shows thatthe proposals would provide a net economicbenefit of $37 million per annum to Victoria,with an additional $70 million if environmentalwater is provided to the area. The Victorian government promised at the laststate election that it would adopt VEAC’srecommendations. Its response so far hasbeen disappointing, with the appointment ofyet another committee to consider the impactof the proposals. VEAC’s process has been rigorous and

v i c t o r i a’s w a t e r f u t u r e

The River Red Gum forests of northern Victoria and southern NSW areunique ecosystems found nowhere else in the world. Highly prized for

their ecological, social, cultural and economic value, they are enjoyed andloved by thousands of people.

Future in the balance for Victoria’s Red Gums

For many Australians, Victoria’s Murray River Red Gums hold special memories.

Photo: Paul Sinclair

> Juliette Le Feuvre, Healthy Rivers Community Campaigner

thorough, with over 9000 submissions considered. With the forests and wetlands in suchserious decline, the time for consideration is over. The government should immediatelyaccept the recommendations, proclaim the national parks and provide the forests with thewater they so desperately need.

You can help us restore the balance!Urge Premier Brumby to immediately adopt VEAC’s recommendations. You can write aletter to Premier Brumby, c/- Office of the Premier, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, 3000 oruse our handy online form at www.environmentvictoria.org.au.You can also make a submission to the draft Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy,due to be released by the Department of Sustainability and the Environment in midSeptember, asking for implementation of VEAC’s environmental water recommendations.Check the Healthy Rivers pages on our website for more information.

Crisis is a word that can beoverused, but in the case of LakesAlbert and Alexandrina at the mouthof the Murray, it is no exaggeration.

IT HAS BEEN a long time in the making.Exacerbated by the current drought, theover-extraction of water throughout theMurray-Darling Basin has led to years ofdecline in the internationally recognisedbiodiversity hotspot. Water levels in the lakes are now at anunprecedented low level. Water isevaporating faster than the river canreplace it and the lake bed, which wasunder water for millennia, has finally beenexposed. What water remains is moresaline than at any time since the lakeswere formed but the most severe threat isfrom the newly exposed sulphate soils.Unless water levels are stabilised, thelakes will reach an irreversible tippingpoint and the entire system will becomeacidic and biologically dead. The twosolutions on the table are to either findenough fresh water to raise and maintainlake levels and keep the ecosystems intheir current states or, in a more alarmingproposal, allow sea water in and turn thelakes into a degraded estuarine system.

The crisis can be solved.Environment Victoria strongly believesthat responsibility must be shared by allupstream users and the need to actshould be shared also. The State andFederal Governments have sat on theirhands for too long while this crisisunfolds.In the short term Environment Victoria iscalling for an urgent independent audit ofwater in both public and private dams inthe Darling system, where heavy rain felllast summer, so that we can knowwhether a rescue package is possible. In the longer term Environment Victoria isasking governments to buy back waterand possibly properties throughout theBasin to ensure water can reach itsmouth. What we should not do is make ashort term decision (such as building aweir that amputates the lower lakes fromthe system) that irretrievably degradesone of the jewels of the Murray-DarlingBasin.

Stay Up-to-Date!We’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest news inthe fight to save the Lower Lakes and let youknow exactly how you can get involved. Visitwww.environmentvictoria.org.au and sign up toour Healthy Rivers Bulletin for regular updates.


C R I S I S I N T H E L O W E R L A K E S

> Juliette Le Feuvre, Healthy Rivers Community Campaigner

CELEBRATINGHATTAH LAKES> Verity McLucas, Healthy Rivers andVicki Kyriakakis, CommunicationsOfficer

THE HATTAH LAKES Storylines project,delivered by Environment Victoria andfunded by the Murray-Darling BasinCommission (MDBC), brought together12 Victorians – teenagers, teachers,farmers and artists – for a four daydigital storytelling workshop to exploreand record the story of their personalconnection to Hattah Lakes. Guided bydocumentary film-maker MalcolmMcKinnon, workshop participantslearned the basics of narration andmultimedia production to create theirown mini-movies, telling their story ofwhy this iconic Murray River wetland innorth-west Victoria holds significancefor them.Speaking at the launch, participantWayne Eggleton said that it had been arare privilege to meet such a diversegroup, linked by the common thread ofHattah Lakes. “From those visitorsthousands of years ago, to the peoplethat visited yesterday, this thread existsforming a continuous storyline,” hesaid to the 170 people that hadgathered to watch the films.Mr Eggleton appealed to the leadersand government officials present to dotheir part to preserve it. “Please, asyou make your decisions, be sure toread every chapter of the Hattah story,so that the thread that binds us allstays continuous and rich.”

Mr Eggleton’s digital story and those of theother Hattah Lakes Digital Storytellingparticipants are available online atwww.environmentvictoria.org.au.

BECOME A YARRA RIVER CHAMPION

Environment Victoria is getting set to recruit asmall group of volunteers to become Yarra Riverchampions and help us spread our ‘Go Yarra Flow’campaign message. Our Yarra Champions will bebriefed and trained, equipped with communicationstools, and supported to run a short series of talksand other outreach activities with their variousschool, work, clubs and local communities. Help usto keep pressure on the Brumby Government todeliver the Yarra River it’s promised environmentalflows by becoming a Yarra River champion today!To find out more, please contact Leonie Duncan,Healthy Rivers campaign on (03) 9341 8120 or [email protected].

Wayne Eggleton remembers the bees his

father kept at Hattah Lakes in his digital

short story, ‘Bites of Life’.


Travis Kirkham, Student and Fisherman

WHEN TRAVIS KIRKHAM’S Year 9 environment class wasasked to produce a presentation on one of the world’s rivers,most students chose well-known waterways such as theAmazon or the Nile. But Travis turned his back on the obviousand popular choices, deciding instead to focus on theMurrindindi River: the Yea River’s main tributary and the onehe can see and hear from his backdoor. It’s the modest littleriver he has grown up with and the bubbling, unassumingfriend he spends every weekend sitting beside.“The river borders our property and I’m always down there onthe weekends fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, riverblackfish and spiny freshwater crayfish,” Travis says. “I lovebeing in the area and looking at the landscape. You’re notaround people and cars all the time and it’s quiet. I would liketo come back here in retirement.” At just 14, Travis is an astute observer of nature, notingsightings of platypus and tortoises. While professing not to bea ‘greenie’’ the Murrindindi farm boy has spent all his life withone eye on his backyard river, keenly studying the effects ofenvironmental mistakes made by earlier generations. He hastaken part in walks with the local Landcare group to decide onareas of the river to fence off from farms. “But I also do it toscope out the good fishing spots,” he laughs.Travis has helped build bat boxes for the Yea wetlands withother students from Yea High School and will help constructtables for the area later in the year. “We have to keep ourrivers untouched if we want them for future generations toenjoy and for young people like me to be able to fish. We canlearn to use water wiser so it remains healthy and clean.”“It’s great living here,” Travis says. After a short pause headds: “I wouldn’t want to move to the city.”

Marion Bruere, Waterwatch Monitor

MARION BRUERE IS living proof that the Yea River is alive andclean enough for an old-fashioned recreational pursuit. Theresilient 78-year-old still braves the chilly waters at the backof her property during quiet dips with her neighbour. “We stillget in there and swim in it and we’ve never come out with anyserious illness,’’ Marion says defiantly. Marion is one member of Yea’s community who should knowexactly how safe the river is. For the past 12 years she hasacted as a committed Waterwatch monitor, regularly testingsalinity and turbidity levels. “I do the testing more frequentlythan most because I just have to walk to the nearby bridgeand drop the equipment in the water,” she says. “But I’ve gota friend next door who’s younger than me and I think after 12years it’s a good time to pass the job over. She’ll bring a newenthusiasm to it.”Marion and husband Graham, who have been married 57years, bought their quaint property on the little bend in theriver in 1979. Since then they have consolidated the propertynext door, built a new house and turned the original run-downcottage into an arts studio. “Why did we choose it? Notbecause of the cottage but because of the river and the redgums. They reminded me of home because I grew up on theEdwards River in NSW. We’ll never move from here now, and Idon’t think our boys will ever let it go either.”Marion worries for the health of the Yea, saying it needs to becleared of debris and weeds that have built up because of thediminished rainfall. “There’s no doubting how much the townof Yea relies on the river.” Marion says her happiest momentsare down on the banks of the Yea painting her watercolourlandscapes. “I love how the river has different personalities indifferent spots. Being a painter and artist was one of the mainreasons we came here. It’s a very special place.”

e n v i r o n m e n t a l c h a m p i o n s

Faces of the Yea River> Daniel Clarke, Media Officer

To the people that live along it, the Yea River has a character all of its own. But for the river,those people are fundamental to its survival. Here are just some of the many stories that link them.

do you know someone who’s dedicated themselves to taking care of


Leonard Sheahan, part owner of the Centre for Ecology and Spirituality

THE THREE RESIDENTS of Glenburn’s Centre for Ecology andSpirituality might be Christian Brothers, but it is their sisterwho keeps the country paradise alive. The Centre – dedicatedto the promotion of a sound spirituality that recognises theecology of Creation – is nestled in the middle of a green 15-acre property bordered by the quaint Katy Creek, a tributary ofthe Yea River. “We call Katy by her first name because we have personalisedher,” resident Leonard Sheahan says. “We have a very closeconnection with her. We treat her like a sister and knowingshe’s there is a great comfort.” And it is not only the threeformer teachers who have discovered the healing powers ofKaty and her surrounds. “Our visitors go down to the creek for quiet time because ourCentre is about reflecting on life, the holistic nature of life,and being able to rejuvenate yourself,” Leonard says. “There are spots along it that are little havens with someamazing plant life – you could be a million miles away.” “Our only concern is that Katy has stopped running twice inthe past two years and she’s probably not as vibrant as shewas eight years ago. I don’t think she has got quite as muchflow or vitality as she used to. When Katy stops you canalmost feel it. She’s very forlorn and she really dies. It hasquite a significant impact on us.”The Christian Brothers bought the Glenburn property eightyears ago after a six month search by Leonard, Trevor Partonand Ian Roberton. “We probably looked at 300 properties butwe knew this was the spot as soon as we saw it.”Leonard says that having grown up on the land, the Centrewas the perfect way to return to it. “For me the idea of theCentre came from the chance to understand the beauty andmystery of the world I see around me. Could I find it insuburban Melbourne? Well yes, but it’s much more enrichingfor me to be here and have my life nourished by being part ofthis whole magical, mystical community.”

Russell Wealands, former Executive Officer of Goulburn Broken CatchmentAuthority

THE TOWN OF Yea has affectionately named him ‘Mr Wetlands’,and not just because you can replace one letter of his last nameto form the word. Russell Wealands resigned from the GoulburnBroken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) three yearsago, but his involvement in the Yea River remains as strong asever. “I spend a ridiculous amount of time working on the YeaRiver and its wetlands. I’m very lucky I have a supportive wifeand family,” Russell says. Having moved to Yea nearly 13 years ago to take up the positionof Executive Officer to the newly formed Upper GoulburnWaterways Authority (a predecessor to the GBCMA), Russelloversaw a raft of changes to the way waterways are managed.He initiated the removal of willow trees along the rivers,introduced waterway grants for farmers to fence off theirproperties, and implemented the controversial waterway charge. “That charge was initially taken very poorly. I had the pressure oftalking to everybody in the catchment because they allobjected,” he smiles. “I think in one day my assistant and Ianswered about 200 calls. In retrospect though it was the bestenvironmental education campaign ever undertaken becausewe had an opportunity to speak with everyone, explain whythose landholders should contribute to protecting andsustaining our rivers.” Almost immediately upon his arrival in Yea, Russell identifiedthe potential of the unique wetlands on the floodplain near thetown entrance. “I realised that this amazing environmental assetwhich had suffered from years of neglect was in fact atremendous opportunity for Yea. I’m still leading the charge toestablish a multi-functional environmental education centre tofocus on sustainable water resources and the Murray DarlingBasin. It will incorporate displays of our Aboriginal heritage andculture, commercial office spaces and a visitor informationcentre.” Now working as a community volunteer, it is obvious Russellplaces his faith in the cooperation of the local community to helpturn the tide on the declining condition of the Yea River.

Environment Victoria’s Your River Project aims to capture the stories of the people who care for Victoria’s stressed rivers. For more on the Your River project, contact Leonie Duncan on (03) 9341 8120 or email [email protected].

our environment? let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

THE PRIVATELY-OWNED Australiancompany HRL has proposed to build the400MW power station alongside the LoyYang Power Station in the Latrobe Valleyin a joint venture with Chinese CompanyHarbin Power Engineering. Taxpayers will be funding the pollutingproject, with the State Governmentsigning over $50 million to the projectand the Howard Government pledging anadditional $100 million in March 2007 – apledge that looks likely to be delivered byPrime Minister Rudd.Environment Victoria’s CEO, KellyO’Shanassy, said the coal-fired powerstation was an environmental disaster inthe face of dangerous climate change.

“Scientists have repeatedly told us thatwe need to urgently reduce greenhouseemissions to have any chance of avoidingrunaway climate change, yet the StateGovernment is creating a massiveincrease in greenhouse emissionsthrough this new power-station,” Kellysaid. “They’ve professed to care aboutclimate change but when push comes toshove they are signing away Victoria’sfuture to a new polluting coal-firedpower station.”The plant will use new Integrated DryingGasification and Combined Cycle (IDGCC)technology, which HRL claims will resultin ‘clean coal’. The technology is not yetcommercial and has only been tested on

a pilot scale. Environment VictoriaCampaigns Director, Mark Wakeham,said HRL’s use of the term ‘clean coal’was misleading. “The technology doesn’t generate cleanenergy, it just produces power with similaremissions to a black-coal power plant,like those in NSW or Queensland.” Marksaid. “There is also no suggestion that theproject will replace more pollutinggeneration. It will just create additionalgreenhouse gas for us to deal with.”The plant will also not use carboncapture and storage because, accordingto the Victorian Minister for Energy andResources, Peter Batchelor, “noinfrastructure currently exists to store


c a m p a i g n u p d a t e s

> Vicki Kyriakakis, Communications Officer

Environment Victoria has launched a campaign against HRL’s proposed newcoal-fired power station in a bid to prevent an additional 2.5 million tonnes ofgreenhouse gas from being spewed into Victoria’s atmosphere.

The new coal-fired power station

will drink 3 billion litres of water

each year to cool down.

Write a letter to your local MP callingon the government to follow NewZealand’s lead and put a moratoriumon all new coal-fired power plants. Askthem to invest in the renewableenergy industry instead. You can findout who your local MP is here:http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/handbook/menupage.cfm?menuId=1.

TAKE ACTION!

State Government’sclimate credentials under fire

YOU MAY HAVE noticed that thingshave been a bit quiet on the waste frontat Environment Victoria in the pastcouple of months. Partly due to somefunding uncertainty for the campaign,we lost our Zero Waste campaignerMark Doggett in May this year. The good news is that we’ve justreceived further funding for another 12months for our waste campaign fromSustainability Victoria and have

appointed experienced campaignerFraser Brindley to the job. Many of youwill have seen or heard Fraser in themedia given his high profile as a citycouncillor over the past six years.Fraser is finishing his term as aCouncillor for the City of Melbourne incoming months and he’ll start workwith us on a part-time basis inSeptember before building up to fourdays a week post-November. We’reexcited to have secured his strongcampaigning experience and deepknowledge of waste issues.We’ve also decided to re-badge ourwaste work to ‘Smart Production andConsumption’. Our Smart Productionand Consumption campaign reflectsour desire to extend our focus beyondwaste management and look at howwe produce and consume goods andservices intelligently and sustainably.

For many years Environment Victoriahas been one of the few environmentorganisations in the waste debate. Nowwe hope to forge new ground by talkingabout the elephant in the room:consumption. We hope to linkproduction, consumption and wasteissues with the much higher profileareas of climate change and water useby looking at the embodied energy andwater in goods and services. By takingon a broader approach to the campaignwe are hoping to move beyondinterminable debates about plasticbags (which we still need to win!) andstart achieving a green transformationof our economy.For more information on EnvironmentVictoria’s Smart Production andConsumption campaign, contact MarkWakeham on (03) 9341 8127 [email protected].

CO2 captured from power stations in theLatrobe Valley.”Kelly said Victorians had to askthemselves whether the Brumbygovernment was capable of dealing withthe issue of climate change. “Victorianfamilies, businesses and industry shouldbe outraged by this. An extra 2.5 milliontonnes of CO2 each year means that thetask of reducing emissions is that muchharder for everyone else.”Kelly said that the project would alsoplace more pressure on the LatrobeValley’s already stressed rivers, with 3billion litres of water taken fromGippsland Rivers to cool the plant eachyear. “The government’s own figures

show that we could save far more energythan this power station will providethrough proper energy efficiencymeasures, yet we have seen very littleinvestment in that area. This decision ismaking a mockery of the efforts of allVictorians to reduce emissions”.

There is a solution.Given the climate crisis, EnvironmentVictoria is urging the State and FederalGovernments to follow the lead of NewZealand and impose a moratorium onnew coal-fired power stations. Ratherthan build more coal-fired powerstations in Victoria or anywhere else inAustralia, we need to consider which of

the oldest and dirtiest coal-fired powerstations we can replace with genuine lowand zero emission power stations in thenext decade so that we can make deepcuts in our greenhouse pollution.Environment Victoria is alsocampaigning for the development of a‘green industries’ strategy to identifytarget industries for establishment anddevelopment in Victoria. The strategyshould also identify the necessary policysupport and workforce skill-base toattract these industries to our state.Environment Victoria will also be writingto all major financial institutions inAustralia and warning them againstinvesting in HRL’s polluting project.


Ever gotten stuck in a conversation with a climate

change sceptic? Tired of hearing the same false argumentsused again and again? Want more information to help you makeheads and tails of it all? Here’s a list of great resources that canhelp you get across the issue of climate change quickly!

>> Cut to the chase with a visit to Real Climate. Real Climate is acommentary site on climate science completely run by workingclimate scientists. They provide quick responses to developingstories and provide the context sometimes missing frommainstream commentary. It’s a must for those times when youfind yourself confused by junk science or false argument. You canfind it at www.realclimate.org.

>> The Environment News Blog, GristMill, is hosting a great seriesby Coby Beck on ‘How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic’. Coby respondsto the most common sceptical arguments on global warming. Youcan find it at http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics.

>> The science is overwhelming but there are solutions, and theybegin at home! Read Environment Victoria’s submission to theState Government’s ‘A Climate of Opportunity’ Summit Paper forour vision for a safe climate future. You can find it atwww.envict.org.au/ inform.php?menu=4&submenu=20&item=1885

>> The federal government has proposed an emissions tradingscheme, but will it do the job? Read ‘Key Tests for an AustralianEmissions Trading Scheme’ produced by Environment Victoria inconjunction with Greenpeace, the Climate Action NetworkAustralia and the Total Environment Centre Inc. You can find it atwww.envict.org.au/file/file/ETS%20Key%20Tests_4.pdf. You can also visit our new website on emissions trading atwww.lowcarbonfuture.org.au.

T A L K I N G C L I M A T E C H A N G E

WHAT’S UPWITH WASTE?> Mark Wakeham, Campaigns Director

Melbourne City Councillor FraserBrindley takes over EnvironmentVictoria’s Smart Production andConsumption campaign as wework towards a greentransformation of our economy.


a w a r d s a n d p r i z e s

LARISSA, WHO FOUNDED the Centre forSustainability Leadership in herbedroom at the age of 24, has been amember of Environment Victoria’s Boardfor the past year. The Centre shefounded is now a registered not-for-profit group with more than 100volunteers, a Melbourne office and apartnership with the United Nations. The centre runs the Future SustainabilityLeaders program which takes a group ofyoung Victorians who demonstratepotential and mentors them to leadefforts to create a more sustainableworld. Together, the program’sparticipants and volunteer mentorsanalyse the root causes of pressingsustainability challenges and explorelateral solutions. Guest lecturers sharethe secrets of their success, andstudents harness these insights tocreate and manage innovative projectsfor cultural and behavioural change.Environment Minister Peter Garrettpresented Larissa with the award,

saying that her achievements show hergreat potential as an environmentalleader. “As an environmental leaderwhose generation is next in line in takingup the fight against climate change,Larissa’s leadership and dedication toour environment sets a great exampleand bodes well for the future of ourcountry,” he said.Mr Garrett said that the fight for theenvironment was the greatest challengethat this and subsequent generationswould face.Larissa has worked as a researchscientist at the Australian NationalUniversity, studying the extinction eventof Australia’s megafauna, helped save aforest by creating an ecotourism lodge inCosta Rica, and rehabilitatedendangered primates and big cats inBolivia. The Banksia Awards are hostedby the Banksia EnvironmentalFoundation and are regarded as themost prestigious awards program oftheir kind in Australia.

Environment Victoria board member Larissa Brown receives her Young

Environmentalist of the Year Award from Environment Minister Peter Garrett

during the Banksia Awards. Photo: Banksia Foundation

Environment Victoria’s boardmember named YoungEnvironmentalist of the Year> Vicki Kyriakakis, Communications Officer

Environment Victoria Board Member Larissa Brown, won the inauguralYoung Environmentalist of the Year Award at the national BanksiaEnvironmental Awards in Melbourne recently.

COMPETITIONTo commemorate Maude Barlow’sparticipation in Melbourne Writer’s Week,we’re giving away a copy of Blue Covenant.Simply answer the following question:What does Environment Victoria

believe Premier Brumby should

urgently do to save our precious

Red Gum Forests and wetlands?

Send your answer to: The Editor, Green Action News [email protected] or phone us on (03) 9341 8125 with your answer to go into adraw to win. Please include your name,address and phone number with youranswer so that we can get back in contactwith you. The winner will be notified by mailand announced in the Summer edition ofGreen Action News.

WIN A COPY OFCRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED ‘BLUE COVENANT’ BYMAUDE BARLOW

SCIENTISTS CALL THEM “hot stains” –the parts of the earth running out of clean,drinkable water. They now includenorthern China, large areas of Asia andAfrica, the Middle East, Australia, theMidwestern United States, and sections ofSouth America and Mexico. How did theworld’s most vital natural resourcebecome so imperilled? And what must wedo to pull back from the brink?Blue Covenant addresses anenvironmental crisis that – together withglobal warming – poses one of the gravestthreats to our survival. World-renownedactivist and author Maude Barlow hasbeen at the forefront of internationalwater politics, and in this timely andimportant book, she discusses the state ofthe world’s water, how water companiesare reaping vast profits from decliningsupplies, and how ordinary people fromaround the world have banded together toreclaim the public’s right to clean water.


u p c o m i n g e v e n t s

YES! I WANT TO SUPPORT Environment Victoria to develop the PEOPLE’S ACTION PLAN andhelp slash greenhouse pollution. (All donations are tax deductible).

�� $40 �� $100 �� $200 �� $500 �� $1000 �� My own amount $ ___________ Please find enclosed a:

�� Cheque or�� Money Order (payable to Environment Victoria INC.) Or please debit this card: �� Amex �� Mastercard �� Visa

Cardholder’s name: _____________________________________________ Expiry date: __ __ / __ __ Signature: _________________________________

Card number: | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ |

PLEASE ALSO COMPLETE PERSONAL DETAILS FORM BELOW.

BECOME A GREEN ACTION PARTNER NOW! Environment Victoria relies on your support. By becoming a Green ActionPartner and making an automatic monthly contribution, you will be choosing one of the most effective ways to contribute to a healthierenvironment. Become a Green Action Partner online at www.environmentvictoria.org.au or complete the form below.

YES, SIGN ME UP! I would like to donate $ __________ (min $15) per month until further notice and help Environment Victoria take

care of our environment. Please charge my credit card as above or charge the following card: �� Amex �� Mastercard �� Visa

Cardholder’s name: _____________________________________________ Expiry date: __ __ / __ __ Signature: _________________________________

Card number: | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ |

PERSONAL DETAILS

TITLE: FIRST NAME: FAMILY NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY: STATE: POSTCODE:

EMAIL:

TEL: (BH) (AH)

�� Please send all future correspondence by email

Help us to help you by telling us a little bit more about yourself. (All information will be kept strictly confidential).

Date of Birth D____/ M____/ Y_____ Occupation: _______________________

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES YOU CARE MOST ABOUT

�� All �� Biodiversity �� Healthy Rivers �� Safe Climate �� Sustainable Living

�� Smart Production and Consumption �� Please send me email bulletin updates on these issues

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM, TEAR OFF THIS PAGE AND RETURN IT TO REPLY PAID 12575, A’BECKETT STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC 8006OR VISIT WWW.ENVIRONMENTVICTORIA.ORG.AU AND MAKE A DONATION ONLINE.

ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA ANNUAL

GENERAL MEETING

September 24, 2008, 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Meeting Room, rear ground floor,

60 Leicester Street, Carlton

Featuring tales of Victoria’s biodiversity as toldby our affiliate members. Refreshments andnibbles provided. RSVP essential. To book yourplace, phone Helen Vine on (03) 9341 8101 oremail [email protected] by Thursday,September 18, 2008.

FESTIVAL OF THE WHEEL

October 25 – 26, 2008

Castlemaine, Victoria

Join the Mount Alexander Sustainability GroupInc for a weekend of cycling fun. The weekendwill include rides of up to 90 km, steam trainrides, screening of Cycling’s Big Night Out atTheatre Royal, duathlons and a family dayspectacular at the Botanical Gardens. Visit www.masg.org.au or phone (03) 5472 3094.

WALK AGAINST WARMING

November 15, 2008 at 1.00pm

Federation Square, Melbourne

Last year, record numbers of Victorians joinedEnvironment Victoria in the world’s biggestclimate change rally. This year, the stakes arehigher. Step out for Australia’s community dayof action on climate change and join us as wewalk in support of real and immediate actionto secure our climate. For more information,contact Victoria McKenzie-McHarg on (03)9341 8112 or email [email protected].

Put it in your diary!

WHO’S WHO AT

ENVIRONMENT

VICTORIA

Chief Executive Officer Kelly O’ShanassyCampaigns Director Mark Wakeham

OPERATIONS

Organisational ServicesManager Ivan KolkerAdministration Helen VineCommunications Officer Vicki KyriakakisMedia Officer Daniel Clarke Fundraising Manager Jennifer JordanFinance Officer Despina Giannakis

SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROGRAMDirector Annette SalkeldSenior Project ManagerMurray IrwinProject ManagerMichelle BurtonProject Manager KatelynFryerMulticultural LeadersProgram Manager Charlie Davie Community LiaisonOfficer Kim Truong

HEALTHY RIVERS

Healthy RiversCampaignerLeonie Duncan Community Campaigner Juliet Le Feuvre SAFE CLIMATE

Climate ChangeCampaigner VictoriaMcKenzie-McHargSMART PRODUCTION

& CONSUMPTION

Fraser Brindley

BOARD President Russell FisherVice-President Sue NoyDr Sarah BekessyDoug GimesyLee GoddenPam KeatingLarissa BrownJo Tenner

REGULAR VOLUNTEERSPeter FlanaganJanet GellieColleen GuggisbergIan HazewinkelPauline NgKeshni PrasadMarion SilverLes SmithTamara SysakThi Truong

n o t i c e t h i s

You’ve cared

about the environment all your life.

GET READY FOR THIS YEAR’S

DAY OF CLIMATE CHANGE

ACTION with a Walk AgainstWarming T-Shirt. Yours for

just $30! Available in adultsand kids sizes throughEnvironment Victoria. Contact us on (03) 9341 8100to order yours today. Allproceeds go to help supportour Safe Climate Campaign.

We couldn’t do itwithout them: thepassionate anddedicated people whomake up EnvironmentVictoria’s volunteers.Whether it’s helpingus with a mail out,getting involved in

community education or jumping feet firstinto our campaigns to combat climatechange, save our rivers, reduce waste,and protect our biodiversity, ourvolunteers are at the forefront of takingcare of Victoria’s environment.HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Become an Environment Victoriavolunteer today.For more information, contactvolunteer coordinator Katelyn Fryeron (03) 9341 8102 or [email protected]. Or register online atwww.environmentvictoria.org.au

Protect the things that areimportant to you with a bequestto Environment Victoria.

By leaving a gift to EnvironmentVictoria in your will, you canmake sure that Victoria’s naturalenvironment is protected wellbeyond your lifetime and thatyour voice is heard on the issuesmost important to you. Your precious gift will helpEnvironment Victoria protect ournatural world on your behalf andtake a strong stance on behalf ofthe environment.

For more information on how you can leave a bequest toEnvironment Victoria, pleasecontact Kelly O’Shanassy on (03) 9341 8119 or visit us atwww.environmentvictoria.org.au

Environment Victoria. Working Together Protecting

Victoria’s Environment.

CONTACT USPHONE (03) 9341 8100 FAX (03) 9341 8199EMAIL [email protected]. PO Box 12575 A’Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006www.environmentvictoria.org.au

SAVING THE ENVIRONMENTNEVER FELT SO GOOD…

Documents

Green Action News - Spring 2008