State Government gives green light to bypass environmental protection
A devastating blow has just been dealt to Coomoora Woodland Flora & Fauna Reserve and environmental conservation in metropolitan Melbourne by the State Government. The Minister responsible for administering the Environmental Effects Act 1978, Justin Madden has decided that no Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is required for the Dingley Arterial Project. The Minister’s decision gives VicRoads the green light to proceed with its plans to remove a substantial area of native vegetation in Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve in Keysborough; one of the few nature reserves in the City of Greater Dandenong, and one of the last remaining areas of native bushland in the south-eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne.
Historic Bushland Property to be Bulldozed for Frankston Bybass
Joyce and Simon Welsh, owners of the historic Westerfield property in the Green Wedge south of Frankston were notified last week that 2.656 ha of the pristine remnant bushland on their property will be acquired by the Victorian Government this Thursday 10/12 to make way for the Frankston Bypass. Westerfield is on Robinsons Road, Fig 7g on the attached Biosis map.
Madden backflips overturning VCAT order protecting Green Wedge golf course
Even as Justin Madden was making his hypocritical announcement last month about no more urban growth (Minister alters view on sprawl, The Age 3/12), his Development Facilitation Taskforce was recommending that if Cardinia
Stop 'land grab'
REJECT the State Government's proposed extension of the
urban growth boundaries. This was the call made to MPs at Tuesday's rally outside Parliament House, attended by about 300 people.
Land owners group Taxed Out organised the rally against the UGB and growth areas infrastructure contribution proposals announced earlier this month by Planning Minister Justin Madden.
Members of Green Wedges Coalition, Protectors of Public Lands and the Planning Backlash attended the rally.
The GWC has made it clear it does not support an extension to Melbourne's UGB.
The UGB extension will result in significant changes to the existing boundaries in Hume, including Sunbury and a small part within Diggers Rest.
The GWC accused Mr Madden of going back on his assurances.
Growth plan bites Casey farmers
CHANGES to the Urban Growth Boundary will spell the end of farming in Casey, the city has warned.
Cr Lorraine Wreford said State Government plans to annex 4600ha of Casey farming land, including basically all of Clyde, for housing will wipe out $400 million of annual food production and put 2000 people out of work.
“I have nothing against development, but it should be in the right area,” Cr Wreford said.
“We’ll lose irreplaceable farming land that is already set up with recycled water, so it’s drought-proof. This land is precious for our food supply. It’s a wicked waste.”
Cr Lynette Keleher said she was outraged by the government’s plans. “Once that land is lost, it’s gone forever - and for what? More houses. It’s unforgivable,” Cr Keleher said.
Market gardener Charlie Tuosto said the area had some of the best vegetable-producing soil in Australia. “They shouldn’t touch this land. It would destroy everything we’ve built here,” he said.
BLOCK THE BILL, STOP THE GREEN WEDGE LAND GRAB
green wedge, landholder, public lands and urban planning backlash groups unite in protest:
PROTEST RALLY - Parliament House - 24th Nov, 12:30pm
If we wish to retain the environmental assets of the Green Wedges it is now time to make a stand.
This is our last chance to stop the Green Wedge destruction and landholder rip-off legislation now before Parliament.
Please join
Green Wedges Coalition, Taxed Out, Protectors of Public Lands and Planning Backlash
in a demonstration on the steps of Parliament House
At 12.30 for 1 pm next Tuesday 24 November.
Speakers will include:
Save Coomoora Reserve Coalition
Are you aware that VicRoads plans to bulldoze much of Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve in Keysborough soon to make way for the Dingley Bypass?
The VicRoads Dingley Arterial Project involves the construction of a four-lane, 3.5km dual-carriage extension of the existing Westall Road extension, from Springvale Road to the Dandenong Bypass.
The bypass extension will run directly through the Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve (Melway 88, K8), as shown on the VicRoads aerial map (see the reverse side, Reserve is in the centre).
Coomoora is a natural oasis used by bushwalkers and local school groups and the community. It is one of only five nature reserves in the City of Greater Dandenong, the only one in Keysborough, and one of the few remaining green wedges in the south-eastern metropolitan region.
As contracts for construction of the bypass are to be finalised by December (for works to commence in early 2010), urgent action must be taken now to protect our valuable nature reserve.
Note:
Survey markers suggest that more of the Reserve will be bulldozed than is shown above
Coomoora Nature Reserve facing imminent threat of destruction
As the threat posed by the VicRoads Dingley Arterial Project to the Coomoora Woodland Flora & Fauna Reserve looms large and ever closer, Keysborough residents and concerned citizens have formed a coalition to protect the local community, environmental and cultural heritage values of the affected area.
The VicRoads Dingley Arterial Project involves the construction of a four-lane, 3.5km dual-carriage extension of the existing Westall Road extension, from Springvale Road to the Dandenong Bypass.
The Dingley Bypass extension will run directly through the Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve, destroying a Habitat Zone of “Very High” conservation value, at least one registered Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Place (scarred tree), one third of all native trees with “High” conservation value, and endangering many threatened species of flora and fauna of local and potential national and state significance.
Protest against 46,000Ha to be ripped from Green Wedges - Tues 14th July
Community rally protesting over the impact of the expansion of Melbourne's urban growth boundary, about to be pushed out by up to 46,000 hectares, for residential development and a freeway/ring road.
