Protectors of Public Lands (Victoria) Inc
Contact: Julianne Bell Phone/fax 98184114 mobile 0408022408
email: jbell5@bigpond.com
KEEP PUBLIC LANDS IN PUBLIC
HANDS
COMING EVENTS
Date: Thursday
18 February 2010
Time: 3.00
pm – 4.30 pm
Venue: BMW Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne (off Flinders Street)
Entry: Free.
Speakers:
Professor Ross Garnaut, eminent economist, The Hon Greg Hunt MP,
Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Action,
and Kelvin Thomson MP, Federal Member for Wills
Contact: Julianne Bell Secretary Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. 0408022408
This is part of the Sustainable Living Festival (SLF) from 15-21 February 2010 which is well worth attending as there are many sites and events of interest. Visit the stall of Sustainable Population Australia - a PPL VIC member. It will be near the "Think Area". Collect a sticker with the message "Say No to Melbourne @ 5 Million". Contact is Jill Quirk Mobile 0409742927. The full festival program can be viewed on www.festival.slf.org.au
PAST EVENTS
DECEMBER 2009
Police Files on Protestors
Nov 09
RALLY AT PARLIAMENT 1 PM TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2009 - "AXE THE TAX"
JULY 2009
JUNE 2009
DECEMBER 2008
Message
to Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. members and friends concerning
recent events
Our organisation
was invited to attend the Premier's Launch of the Victorian Transport Plan
on Monday last 8 December 2008. What was remarkable that the road
tunnels through inner Melbourne and Royal and Holland Parks to the
Port and CityLink did not figure in the Plan. They have been deleted. (These
formed the centrepiece of the $5 million Sir Rod Eddington Review conducted
from April this year.) A senior Victorian public servant who had been
involved in the Eddington Review commented at the Launch "regard
it as a victory for your groups" (referring to the extraordinary
campaigns conducted by community groups, supported by Protectors of Public
Lands Victoria Inc., opposing road tunnels and supporting "Sustainable
Public Transport" ) Far from celebrating we realise this is just
a reprieve and that sooner or later a State Government might decide to declare
the disappeared tunnels another "Missing Link".
Also we are concerned over recommendations in the Victorian Transport
Plan regarding the Tunnels for Footscray and Greensborough to Bulleen. (See
below) A separate account of the formation of an Alliance for Sustainable
Urban Transport will be sent out.
Below
are details of what's on in the rest of December:
PUBLIC
MEETING CALLED BY "NO FREEWAYS 4 WEST FOOTSCRAY" ON TRANSPORT
PLAN FOR THE WEST 7 :30 PM WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2008
When: Wednesday
17 December 2008.
Time:
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Where:
Hyde Street, Church Hall next to Maribyrnong City Council.
Why:
The meeting has been called by No Freeway 4 West Footscray. The
battle in the war against tunnels through inner Melbourne may have been
temporarily won. But the "Brumby Government has ignored residents
concerns in the West and announced a tunnel from the Port area to West Footscray
Station, facilitating truck traffic along Sunshine Road, Dempster Street and
Paramount Road . This will offload an unacceptable volume of truck traffic
onto once quiet suburban streets . House acquisitions will forcibly
evict many residents with the remaining living in a suburb divided by
roads and filled with traffic and pollution." (Quote from No Freeways
4 West Footscray notice of the meeting.) Minister for Roads and Ports Tim
Pallas and local MP Marsha Thompson will attend.
Contacts:
Lucy Liga 0411 577 797 and Natalie Zirngast 0419 155 380 nofreeway4werstfootscray@gmail.com
PUBLIC
MEETING CALLED BY FRIENDS OF BANYULE ON "MISSING" NORTH EAST LINK
- EASTERN FREEWAY TO WESTERN RING RD PROPOSED IN TRANSPORT PLAN 7:30
PM THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER 2008
When:
Thursday 18 December 2008
Time:
7:15 pm for 7:30 pm
Where:
The Old Shire Offices, 60 Beverley Road, Heidelberg (Melways 32 D3)
Why
Attend: As you will know, the Victorian Transport Plan was released
last week. It includes $15 million funding from the Federal Government
for assessment of the route from Greensborough to Bulleen traversing the Banyule
Flats as a possible tunnel. The study for the $6 billion project will commence
in 2009 with building scheduled for 2017. The Friends of Banyule will
hold their first meeting this Thursday and signal that it is the start of a
very long and hard fight against this road project. The groups says that "whilst
a tunnel is highly concerning there are also early signs that the freeway/tollway
will only be possible above ground due to the length required and the slope
between Rosanna and Bulleen, according to the Public Transport Users Association." See
Age article of "Emotions Run Hot Over Missing Link" of 12
December 2008. Brian Walters SC President of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria
Inc. has offered to speak at the meeting.
Contact:
Marian Ware Friends of Banyule. info@friendsofbanyule.org
See
"The Age" Articles Re Victorian Transport Plan and Public Transport
Debacles 8 to 15 December 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbournes-week-of-train-woes-rolls-on-20081212-6wy6.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/emotions-run-hot-over-missing-link-20081212-6xlf.html
http://business.theage.com.au/business/the-real-plan-is-to-push-us-back-into-cars-20081214-6ybt.html
Contact: Julianne Bell, Secretary Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. 98184114 or 0408022408 jbell5@bigpond.com
(AGM)
FOR 2008 SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER 2008
Event:
AGM 2008 We are hosting a panel of speakers, members of PPL VIC and
Presidents of community organisations, who are also candidates in the Local
Government Council elections on 29 November 2008. We want to hear
about their campaigns as well as the outcome of the elections. Our
panel is: Adam Bandt, Greens candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne; Marion
Manifold independent candidate for Corangamite; Ian Quick, independent candidate
for Yarra; Janis Rossiter, independent candidate for Maribyrnong; and Serge
Thomann, independent candidate for Port Phillip.
Chair of Meeting:
Brian Walters SC President of PPL VIC
Time:
12:45 pm for 1 pm to about 3:30 pm. Afternoon tea to follow.
Date:
Saturday 6 December 2008
Venue:
Meeting Room 1 Upstairs, North Melbourne Library 66 Errol Street. Parking
in surrounding streets. Tram up Elizabeth Street to Errol Street North
Melbourne.
SEPTEMBER 2008
Postponement of
Rally Scheduled for 10 September 2008
We previously gave notice that we were to have a
rally on "Sustainable Public Transport - No Road Tunnels" and
that it was scheduled for 10 September 2008 on the steps of Parliament.
We decided to postpone the rally, given
that there are "Transport Forums" being held around the State
and a "Transport Summit" is scheduled for 5 September.
We will advise about any further action. Contact Julianne Bell PPL
VIC Secretary on 98184114 oir 0408022408.
AUGUST
Monash University Research Month: The 2008
Ogden Transport Lecture Presented by Sir Rod Eddington, Chairperson, Infrastructure
Australia
Date: Thursday 28 August 2008
Time: 5:15pm -7.00pm
The organisers say:
"Countries around the world face similar transport problems to Melbourne.
Economics and population growth make congestion a significant challenge.
How can congestion be addressed in a world where concerns
about climate change are also growing? What lessons can we learn from the
approach other countries are taking? Is there a silver bullet? Or does the
solution lie in a mix of bold initiatives?
Join Sir Rod Eddington as her reflects on his international
experiences and recent report to the Victorian Government outlining an $18
billion blueprint to improve links between Melbourne's Eastern and Western
suburbs.
Sir Rod will highlight the big decisions that need
to be made now and how we can best manage escalating demand for transport."
Venue:
Village Roadshow Theatrette
State Library of Victoria
Corner of Swanston and La Trobe Streets, Melbourne
(Entrance 3, La Trobe Street)
Booking essential via www.monash.edu.au//research/researchmonth/
Date: Friday 29 August 2008
Time: 10:30 - 1:00 pm
Venue: Fitzroy High School, Falconer
Street, North Fitzroy. Melways Map Reference 30 C 12
We are told that "your feedback will be considered
at the Transport Summit hosted by the Premier in September."
Register: To register your attendance
email: sally.johnston@parliament.vic.gov.au
or call 9415 8901.
Rod Quantock's Show
- Special Fund Raiser Night for Protectors of Public Lands Victoria
Saturday 30 August 2008
As given in our previous notice Rod's Show 'First
Man Standing' has been running since 6 August 2008 and
continues to 6 September 2008 (Wednesdays to Saturdays) .
Rod has kindly agreed to designate Saturday
30 August 2008 a fund raising night for Protectors of Public
Lands Victoria Inc. - $10 per ticket will go support PPL VIC.
in particular our campaign to support improved public transport and oppose road
tunnels.
Time: Suggest arrive at least
by 7:40 pm for the Show at 8 pm in order to purchase tickets
at the door.
Venue: Trades Hall, corner of
Victoria Street and Lygon Street, Carlton. (Melways Map 2B F12) Entrance
on Victoria Street. Tram up Swanston Street get off at City
Baths and then walk east up Victoria Street. Parking limited in surrounding
office/residential area.
Tickets: $20 concession $35 full price
at the door. (Bookings at comedyattrades.com.au or 03 659 5699 but
we will not get the donation if booked.)
A reminder - Rod is a renowned
environmental activist and works - probono - in assisting community
organisations. He regularly serves as MC at important events,
functions and rallies. (He will MC our rally at 1 pm on Wednesday 10
September "Sustainable Public Transport - not Roads Tunnels" on
the steps of Parliament, Spring Street.) He is Deputy President of Protectors
of Public Lands Victoria Inc.
Contact: Julianne Bell PPL Secretary 98184114 or 0408022408
I
Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. Members Meeting for August 2008
- 9 August 2008 North Melbourne Library
Time: 12:45
pm for 1 pm to approximately 3 pm (including afternoon tea.)
Date:
Saturday 9 August 2008
Venue:
Upstairs, Nth Melbourne Library 66 Errol St. North Melbourne. (Two
doors along from the corner of Queensberry and Errol Streets)
Transport:
No 57 Tram from Elizabeth Street or nearby streets for parking.
Contact: Julianne
Bell 98184114 jbell5@bigpond.com
Subject:
"Better Public Transport - No Road Tunnels." In addition to opposing Sir Rod
Eddington's mega road tunnels, we are campaigning to "Bring Back The Connies"
(Tram Conductors) and so improve public transport. We are showing
short films from two up-and-coming Film Directors. Lester Francois'
documentary "Tram State"
follows four ticket inspectors as they patrol the public transport system.
Phillip Donnellon gives us the recent troubled history of tram conductors
and insights into their campaigns. Come and meet a real live tram conductor.
Be entertained so you can forget for a short time that our town is
shortly to be bulldozed by the State Government in its zeal to
construct road tunnels, flyover intersections and giant vent stacks.
Open Mike:
We want to hear from member groups the latest news of your campaigns.
All Welcome:
The meeting is open to the public not just our members. We welcome everyone
with a genuine interest in the subject.
II "No Road
Tunnels Campaign Meeting - Meet the Neighbours" - Monday 4 August
2008
Time:
7 pm
Date:
Monday 4 August 2008
Venue:
Bluestone Church, 10 a Hyde Street, Footscray (next to the Town Hall)
Reason for Meeting: Colleen Hartland MLC who has called the meeting says
"Meet the people who live near
you, talk about the elevated road, widened road, freeway or road tunnel proposed
that affects your area. Decide what you want to do about it
and how I can help you." RSVP 9689
6373
Contact: Colleen Hartland MLC 9689 6373 colleen.hartland@parliament,vic.gov.au
III Meet Bob Brown
"Embracing Change:
why we need leadership on greenhouse" and Brian Walters SC Human Rights Barrister,
Past President, Liberty Victoria and President, Protectors of Public Lands
Victoria Inc. Monday 11 August 2008
Time:
7:15 pm for 7:30 pm
Date:
Monday 11 August 2008
Venue:
Melbourne High School Memorial Hall, Melways map 58E2 (Enter from
Alexandra Av., limited parking in school grounds, easy walk from South Yarra
Station or Chapel St. Tram.
Organised by Stonnington
Greens. Contacts: M Henry 9571 1936/0400600482
or B Hale 9509 5720/0413018691.
JULY 2008
YCAT FAMILY
DAY RALLY TO STOP THE TUNNEL
You are invited to join YCAT (Yarra Campaign Against
the Tunnel) group members, local residents, Councillors, Members of Parliament
and Connies in Smith Reserve Fitzroy this Sunday at 1 pm to support
the campaign to STOP THE ROAD TUNNEL and DEMAND GREAT PUBLIC
TRANSPORT! YCAT has asked us to forward this notice to you.
WHEN:
1 pm - 3 pm Sunday 27 July 2008
WHERE:
Smith Reserve, Fitzroy. This is the park on Alexandra Parade
between the Fitzroy Pool and Napier St, halfway between Smith St and
Brunswick St. Melway Map 2C ref D5
MC:
Corinne Grant & Rod Quantock (incidentally Deputy President PPL VIC)
ACTIVITIES:
Have a Sausage and hear speakers (from 1:15pm):
- Freda Watkin, YCAT Campaign
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Paul Mees, Transport Planning,
RMIT
- Judy Morton, Mayor City of Yarra
- Greg Barber, MLA Greens Party.
- Richard Wynne, MLA, Minister for Housing, Local
Government and Aboriginal Affairs. Member for Richmond.
- Stephen Jolly, Yarra City Councillor
Tram Conductor Roberto D'Andrea from 'The Connies'
will be handing out cards on the endangered animals, birds & marsupials
of the Yarra River.
Children's Drawing Competition on the theme of Climate
Change and Roads. The best drawings will be displayed on YCAT.org.au
web-site. Children of all
ages Welcome.
GETTING THERE BY
TRAM: Tram 112 from Collins St along Brunswick St, Step
off at Alexandra Parade (Stop 18) then walk east for 150m or tram 86 from
Bourke St along Smith Street, step off at Alexandra Parade (Stop 21)
then walk west for 150m. Tram planner: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
GETTING THERE BY
BIKE: Ride to Smiths Reserve via the popular Napier
St route. Bike Routes: www.bikely.com Travelsmart
maps: www.tinyurl.com/6mx7zl
GETTING THERE BY
CAR: If necessary to come by car some parking may be available: -
on George St, north of Cecil St (4hrs); - on Cecil St between Napier and
Smith St; - around Office Works on the corner of Smith St and Alexandra
Parade; - Fitzroy Pool car park on the median of Alexandra Parade.
MORE
INFO: www.ycat.org.au
Regards Julianne Bell Secretary PPL VIC PO Box
197 Parkville 3052 98184114 jbell5@bigpond.com
MESSAGE TO PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC LANDS VICTORIA
INC. MEMBERS AND FRIENDS SUBMISSIONS TO THE EDDINGTON
REVIEW
As you will now be aware the Eddington
Report - the East West Link Needs Assessment Review - has
called for submissions on the Report. The closing date is 15 July
2008
It has not been clearly explained that the
Road Tunnel starts at Hoddle Street goes under the Melbourne General Cemetery,proceeds
underground then comes to the surface to form a T junction in Royal
Park adjacent to the State Netball and Hockey Centre. This huge junction
area will be a quarry for 5 to 10 years and although said to be constructed
by "cut and cover" methods may never be "covered" due
to security concerns. The southern spur of the Tunnel heads
south under Flemington Road to Holland Park Kenington which will be similarly
destroyed as it will be a tunnel staging point. The Road Tunnel exits
at the Port of Melbourne. The northern spur heads west then north, carves its way through
Royal Park sportsfields and its wetlands and exits in the middle of CityLink. This
is the final nail in the coffin for Royal Park and will see Holland
Park destroyed.
We urge you to print the attached proforma letter.
Just sign and send off to the address on the letter. Or use it as a
basis for a submission, use bits of it and add your own statements. Best
advised to keep it to a page. Post to the address on the letter or email
to the address given.
Let it not be said that Protectors of Public
Lands Victoria members couldn't be bothered to make a submission. Numbers
of groups e.g. the Western suburbs are having submission writing nights
so people can sit down and write them together. Department of Infrastructure
Engineers forecast that only 300 might make submissions. We are aiming
to make it thousands. Prove DOI wrong.
I URGE YOU TO SEND THIS MESSAGE PLUS PROFORMA
LETTER ONTO YOUR MEMBERS ASAP WITH A REQUEST TO ENSURE THAT THEY PUT IN
A SUBMISSION BY 15 JULY 2008.
Please contact Julianne Bell on 98184114 or
jbell5@bigpond.com if you would like to discuss
it or want me to forward the message on.
JUNE 2008
"No Tunnels" and Allied Campaigns
in June and July 2008
According to the Eddington Report, Holland Park
will be used a a tunnel staging construction site and, like west Royal
Park, will be turned into a giant quarry for 5 to 10 years.
Time : 2 pm
Date: Saturday 21 June
2008
Venue: Kensington Community
Centre, Kensington Rd, Kensington. (The hall in the pool complex in JJ Holland
Park) Melways Map 2 T G6
Transport:
Train: Take the train on the Werribee
line to South Kensington Station and walk across the park.
Bus: No 402 to Footscray, ask
the driver to drop you off at the pool.
Parking: There is parking behind
the pool in the middle of the park. See website: http://www.kensingtonassociation.org.au
Also see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Mr7gsGVoA
Rally before City of Melbourne Council Meeting
24 June 2008 - Historic Tunnels Vote
Time: Gather at 4:45 pm for 5 pm
Date: Tuesday 24 June 2008
Venue: Town Hall Swanston Street Melbourne. Gather at
the entrance opposite the flower stall near corner of Little Collins and
Con co
Why Attend: Join our rally outside the Town Hall to
show opposition to mammoth roads tunnels which will destroy areas inner
city Melbourne as well as Royal Park and Holland Park and to support public
transport. Sit in the public gallery to show support for the anti Tunnel
Councillors, some Councillors are said to be wavering. (As
you may be aware on 3 June 2008 the Council Planning Committee voted unanimously
to oppose road tunnels despite the fact that Council staff recommended approval.)
Advance Notice of Mid July No Road Tunnels Rally
in City
PPL VIC in collaboration with a large number of groups
is proposing the ultimate "say no" to road tunnels
rally in mid July to coincide with the closing date of submissions to the
State Government on the Eddington Report. We are working on it and
will advise. We need everyone to make a submission even if a page telling
the Government how road tunnels through your suburb will affect
you.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY PROTEST TO SAY “NO” TO THE TUNNEL & TRAVANCORE DEVELOPMENT AT 1 PM ON SUNDAY 25 MAY 2008 DEBNEY’S PARK FLEMINGTON
Taken together with the failure to make major improvements
in public transport they will lead to an urban nightmare for the residents
of five Melbourne suburbs and loss of significant parkland.
Time and Date: 1 pm Sunday May 25 2008 Location: Debney's
Park, Mt Alexander Rd next to the Flemington Community Centre. Key Speaker: Dr Paul Mees – our public transport
guru MC: Rod Quantock
Themes: Say “no” to John Brumby and the Big End of Town's
urban nightmare; oppose more loss of public parkland; demand real solutions
to our traffic and public transport problems and real action on Global Warming.
Transport: Train - Flemington Bridge
Station Upfield Line. Tram - No 59 up Mt Alexander Road from Elizabeth Street
that drops you off at Tram stop 23 next to the Flemington Community Centre
or No 57 up Racecourse Road and walk north through "Housing Commission"
grounds. Bike: Moonee Ponds Creek Trail. Parking: Outside Flemington Community
Centre (limited); Victoria Street - first left after Debney's Park
and walk back across sports fields; parking areas of "Housing Commission"
flats on Racecourse Road entrance and walk across. Melways Map Reference:
43B1
Principal organizing groups: Mt Alexander Rd Campaign
Group (MARCG) and Royal Park Protection Group Inc. (RPPG) with the
support of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. (a coalition of over
80 environment, heritage and community groups.) Contacts: Julianne Bell
RPPG 9818 4114 or 0408022408 jbell5@bigpond.com or Gab Pretto MARCG
on 0411060059 stoptrafficdisaster@live.com.au.
See attached Media release of 15 May 2008 Community
Groups Slam Government's Road Tunnel Plans
HAPPENINGS IN
APRIL 2008
Parliamentary Select
Committee Enquiring into Public Land Development Thursday 3 April 2008 - Carlton Gardens and
Royal Park
The schedule of hearings of particular interest to PPL
VIC is as follows:
10:30 am to 11 am Hearing on the Royal Park Protection
Group's submission on the Alienation of the Former Royal Park Psychiatric
Hospital for the 2006 Commonwealth Games Village alias the Parkville
Gardens private property development.
12:45 pm to 2:30 pm Hearing on World Heritage
Carlton Gardens, venue for the Annual Melbourne International Flower and
Garden Show. Submitters are Carlton Gardens Group, Carlton Residents
Association; Residents 3000; and Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc.
We would welcome support of members and friends.
The hearings are held in the Legislative Council Committee
Room, Level 2, Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne. After going
through security at the entrance of Parliament check in at the
foyer for directions. It is disappointing that the Carlton Gardens which
is - together with the Exhibition Building - inscribed on the World
Heritage Register only allocated one and a half hours in total. The
Committee is not visiting the site. (By contrast the St Kilda Triangle had
a 5 hour hearing plus site visit.) You can read our submissions
on the Parliamentary website.
Protectors of Public
Lands Victoria Inc. Quarterly Members Meeting Saturday 4 April 2008
As mentioned before
we had to reschedule our quarterly members' meeting - again! Apologies
for changes. Please note new date.
Time: 1:15
pm for 1:30 pm start.
Date:
Saturday 5 April 2008
Venue: Meeting
Room 1 upstairs at the North Melbourne Library, 66 Errol Street, North
Melbourne (near south east corner of Queensberry and Errol Streets.) Parking
in nearby streets. Tram up Elizabeth Street.
Agenda: Our
guest speaker is Dr Ernest Healy, a Research Fellow in the Centre for
Population and Urban Research. Together with Dr Bob Birrell also of the
CPUR he has published a report on "Melbourne's Population Surge"
which is an issue which touches us all. We hope to discuss prospects
of running joint campaigns on some of the big issues of the day. We
will have an open mike segment to hear groups' latest news.
Reminder: Maribyrnong Truck Action Group Protest March on Truck
Traffic "Reclaim Our Streets" 12 April 2008
Protest Action
on Truck Traffic "Reclaim Our Streets"
Date:
Saturday 12 April 2008 Time: 11 am Venue: Starting from corner Francis St and Williamstown Rd
proceeding up Francis St then Fehon St park for picnic and live music.
Coming Up Soon - Announcement of the Eddington Review on East
West Link and The Tunnel!
Footnote re Earth Hour and Light Pollution.
Did everyone remember to
turn off your lights at 8 pm on Saturday 29 March 2008? It's good PR
effort. The advertising billboards were still lit up plus the
MCG light towers for the football. On a serious note included
here below is a short statement on light pollution by Dr Barry Clark,
eminent academic, scientist and astronomer. Recently he released
a paper "A Rationale for the Mandatory Limitation of Outdoor Lighting".
Please contact me if you would like a copy of his paper.
Why is Overuse of Lighting a Public Land Issue?
Wasteful outdoor lighting
practices abound because the obvious benefits of artificial light have
largely overridden its negative aspects, and because details of outdoor
lighting schemes such as intensity and light distribution are primarily
in the hands of people whose interests tend to be best served
by more and brighter lighting.
In the case of developments of
public land, it is often the case that public open space is 'improved' by
adding buildings, structures, roads, paths, picnic facilities etc, along
with more and brighter outdoor lighting. Although lighting generally
does not have the largest share of the total carbon footprint
of any such facility, it is associated with a substantial share
of the total carbon attached to the capital works, maintenance and
ongoing operational costs. Examples of recent and proposed developments
in Melbourne are the toll roads, sports fields in Melbourne
Park, the State Netball Hockey Centre and Commonwealth Games Village in
Royal Park, and the proposed redevelopment of the 'triangle' site in St
Kilda. Everybody will pay dearly
in future for all such cases.
The report indicates
how the Victorian Government has ignored a blowout in the use of outdoor
lighting in Melbourne. Instead of an 8% increase over 1990 levels
that was set by the Kyoto Protocol, the increase by 2010 is likely
to be about forty times greater!
Given the present urgency for reduction of the State's carbon footprint,
no new developments of public land should be allowed anywhere for any reason
unless audited overcompensating reductions of outdoor lighting and other
fossil-fuelled energy usage are made elsewhere in advance. The situation is critical;
'business as usual' is no longer a responsible option.
from Dr Barry Clark,
Director of the Outdoor Lighting Improvement Section of the
Astronomical Society of Victoria.
D-day for Channel
Deepening Protest 20 February 2008
(1) Maribyrnong
Truck Action Group (MTAG) Protest Wednesday 20 February2008
Time: 8
am to 8:30 am
Date:
Wednesday 20
February 2008
Venue:
Corner of Francis Street and Williamstown Road, Yarraville
Why Attend:
MTAG say that the rally will coincide with the Federal
court case (see below) examining environmental aspects of the Port of Melbourne's
Channel Deepening project. They want to draw attention to the fact
that it’s not just the marine environment that will be damaged by dredging
but also the urban environment of the inner West. Truck traffic is expected
to quadruple with channel dredging and the government has no plan in place
for how to deal with it.
MTAG says that we currently have 20,000 TRUCKS
A DAY on our streets and about half of them are trucks going to and from
the port using our streets as a short cut and as a way to avoid tolls. We
are paying for their profit margins with our health and safety: we have
the HIGHEST LEVELS OF DIESEL POLLUTION RECORDED IN AUSTRALIA. And, frighteningly,
it’s set to get much worse. Channel deepening should be halted until the
government can provide a costed plan for how to deal with all these extra
trucks.
Let the politicians – who are supposed to legislate
to protect the health and safety of citizens – know that you’re fed up.
Fed up with the health of your kids being compromised by uncontrolled numbers
of trucks. Fed up with the pollution. Fed up with the noise. Fed up with
being treated as a second rate citizen! Come on your way to work. Wear something
yellow or bring something yellow to wave. If you have one, wear a gas mask
or paper dust mask. We will supply banners.
This will be a peaceful protest held with the cooperation
of Victoria Police, but we are determined to have the voice of our community
heard: we want to know what you are going to do with all these thousands
of extra trucks, Mr. Brumby. How are they going to get to and from the port?
Where are they going to go? We say: NOT ON OUR STREETS, and if we have to
block our streets to stop them then we will.
Please check MTAG website after 8pm on the evening
before the protest for updates and procedural information, which will be
posted on the front page: www.mtag.org.au
(Peter 0409 797 852)
(2) Blue Wedges
v The Port of Melbourne Court Case in Federal Court re Channel Dredging
Wednesday 20 February 2007
Support the Blue Wedges who are acting for all of
us and attend the court hearing.
Time:
10:15 am
Date:
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Place:
Federal Court, 305 William Street, corner of William and Latrobe Streets. (Train
to Flagstaff Station or tram in William, Street. Only limited parking
in the area.)See Blue Wedges website: www.bluewedges.org to
get the latest on this important dispute.
PPL VIC Contact:
Julianne Bell 98184114 or 0408022408
NOVEMBER 2007
PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC LANDS VICTORIA INC (PPL
VIC) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) 1 DECEMBER 2007 NORTH
MELBOURNE LIBRARY
PPL VIC members and friends are invited to
support PPL VIC and attend our AGM. Hear our guest speaker, Dr
Bob Birrell, whose topic is of immediate relevance to all PPL
VIC members and their organisations.
Details of PPL VIC
AGM:
Time: 2pm
Date:
Saturday 1 December 2007
Venue:
North Melbourne Library 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne Upstairs Meeting
Room 1.
Transport:
No 57 Tram from Elizabeth Street or nearby streets for parking.
Speaker:
Dr Bob Birrell Director
of the Centre for Population and Urban Research Monash University on
"The Scale and Implications of Melbourne's
Population Boom".
Open Mike: We
will have an open mike session to allow us to hear about fellow members
campaigns over the year and action planned.
Contact:
Julianne Bell Secretary, PPL VIC, on 0408022408 or 98184114 or jbell5@bigpond.com
All welcome to meeting.
OCTOBER 2007
CLIMATE CHANGE ELECTORATE FORUMS 8
- 10 OCTOBER 2007
The PTUA publicised a number of environment forums
for Federal electorates around Victoria, billed as "a
great opportunity to tell your local candidates that you want the federal
government to
invest in public transport infrastructure." For
background information on the relevance to federal policy, see: http://www.ptua.org.au/federal.
The Melbourne Forum has already been held.
McEwen - Mon 8 Oct, 7:30pm
Yea Shire Hall, Yea
Sitting member: Fran Bailey (Lib), Minister for Small
Business and Tourism
Goldstein - Tues 9 Oct, 7:30pm
Brighton Town Hall
Cnr Carpenter & Wilson Streets, Brighton
http://www.baysideclimatechange.org/
Sitting member: Andrew Robb (Lib), Minister for Vocational
& Further
Education
Batman - Wed 10 October, 7.30pm
Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre
Bell St, Preston
http://www.voteclimate.org/FED07-CF-Batman
Sitting member: Martin Ferguson (ALP), Shadow Minister
for Transport
For other areas, keep an eye on: http://www.thebigswitch.org.au/
GUEST SPEAKER DAVID
GURIN AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY ON "CARS IN CITIES" 10
OCTOBER 2007
Event:
David Gurin of the David Ryerson University in Toronto will
speak on "Cars in Cities: A History of Conflict"
Time and Date:
6 pm Wednesday 10 October 2007
Venue:
Hercus Theatre, Physics Building, University of Melbourne
(Melways 571 E13)
Topic: In the conflict between cities and cars,
Toronto may have had more wins than Melbourne. David will talk about
how citizen protests about cars in Toronto have managed to achieve representation
and power in local and regional government.
Contact:
This is part of an occasional series presented by the GAMUT Centre. stoneja@unimelb.edu.au or iglover@unimelb.edu.au (8344 9860)
AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FLOWER SHOW AND PLANT SALE
SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER
For those going native in the back yard here is something
which may interest you:
Event: Australian Native flower Show and Plant
Sale.
Time: 9 pm to 4 pm.
Date : Saturday 14 October 2007
Venue: Templestowe College, Cypress Ave, Templestowe
CONCERT IN AID OF ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA'S HEALTHY
RIVERS CAMPAIGN TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2007
Event:
The Victorian College of the Arts Percussion Ensemble presents "RIVERS"
- a contemporary, water themed concert, including works by Peter Sculthorpe,
Toru Takemitsu, Jacob Druckman and Kim Chalmers
Time and Date:
7:30
pm Tuesday 16th October
Venue:
John Hopkins Room, VCA Music, 234 St Kilda Rd, Southbank Artistic Director:
Kim Chalmers. Musical Director: Peter Neville
Tickets:
$20 (all proceeds to EV's Healthy Rivers Campaign)
Bookings:
Call Leonie Duncan on (03) 9341 8120 or email leonie.duncan@envict.org.au
Check out our website for further details: http://www.envict.org.au/inform.php?menu=7&submenu=206&item=1629
YARRA COUNCIL MELBOURNE CANDIDATES FORUM
"TRAINS, TRAMS & TUNNELS" WEDNESDAY 24 OCTOBER 2007
Time: 6:30 pm for
7 pm
Date: Wednesday 24 October
2007
Venue:
Collingwood Town Hall
Purpose:
Provide the opportunity to meet the candidates for the Federal seat
of Melbourne and ask them questions relating to their transport policies.
Supported by
:Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. and the Royal Park Protection
Group Inc. (amongst many)
More detail provided closer to the event.
Contact: Julianne Bell, Secretary, Protectors of Public
Lands Victoria Inc.98184114 or 0408022408