Keep your eyes open and notice changes in our Bay - indeed, our planet!
Our Bay:
Cloudy waters at the seal colony at Chinaman’s Hat. Photo: Justin Mcmanus
printed in the Age today. Press
The PoMc has said it is okay to swim in the Bay tomorrow:
The annual Port Melbourne to Williamstown swim will go ahead.
& & &
And elsewhere on the Oz land … at Yamba north of Sydney on NSW coast.
The scientific explanation is worth noting:
“Scientists explain that the foam is created by impurities in the ocean, such as salts, chemicals, dead plants, decomposed fish and excretions from seaweed. All are churned up together by powerful currents which cause the water to form bubbles.”
sea-foam-at-yamba.doc
Ron Tandberg, cartoonist, the Age today.
Letter to the Editor, the Age.
Penguins must count…
“I WOULD like to respond to comments by Nick Easy from the Port of Melbourne Corporation regarding monitoring of penguins at St Kilda (”Fears for 1200-strong penguin colony“, The Age, 18/2). The Department of Sustainability and Environment does not monitor penguins at St Kilda, and volunteers conduct a census of the colony twice a month, which does not constitute sufficient monitoring during a major environmental disturbance.
The Port of Melbourne has not consulted with Earthcare (the volunteer group that conducts the census) to establish any monitoring, and a letter from Earthcare to Mr Easy inquiring about monitoring the colony remains unanswered.
Monitoring of the penguins at St Kilda was recommended by the independent panel for the Supplementary Environmental Effects Statement inquiry into the dredging and the state Planning Minister. If the port is confident that the penguins will not be adversely affected by the dredging, then it should have no problems with implementing adequate monitoring.”
Andrew McCutcheon, president, Earthcare St Kilda, Elwood
Beach at Blairgowrie, last week. Yes, that’s the Queen in the background.
[posted on Comments ABC tv Your Say]
I went diving at my favourite spot between Mornington and Mt Martha this weekend. While not by the dump site itself, the water quality was still atrocious, and visibility only around a metre at times. Half the plant life looked dead, and the only fish I saw were babies. A few weeks ago this spot was clean, healthy and crystal clear.
Disgusting.
Fishy
Light a candle, say a prayer, make a wish and hope -
that wisdom may prevail .
*First press coverage: Wednesday 20 February
Blue Wedges in dredging halt bid
Video
Uncertainty
It was a hot day by the Bay at Rosebud Foreshore. Over 1500 people gathered to to share their anguish and anger at the imposition of a major “highway through the our Bay”. Speakers included Jenny Warfe of Blue wedges, Michael Moorhead Solicitor, Martin Dixon State Liberal MP, Sue Pennicuik State Greens MP, Local Council representatives, Dr Jo Samuel King and some of the kiddies who are pretty annoyed! Mark spoke about the adventures of the intrepid Operation Quarantine team and what really happens out there at the front line.
Yes, folks, there she is, the Queen of the Netherlands in the background.
So many headed for the water anyway, paddling and swimming, keeping cool.
I stood out on the sandbank and mentally connected from Westernport around Flinders and Point Nepean, all the way around the Bay to Port Arlington and Queenscliff, through Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove and down to Apollo Bay. Three times I circled the Bay, saying the names of the towns quietly with the gentle ripples of the sea, connecting us all as I watched the dredge and felt the company and collective passion of so many. The sun sparkled on the water. The people celebrated their beach.
The pier was decorated in banners. Yachts and kayaks sported their own messages.
The kiddies made weedy sea dragons which they paraded around the foreshore later with the BIG Weedy seadragon.
People made their own messages, sang their own songs, shared their feelings and thoughts and hundreds signed letters and took pics, banners and car stickers.
An afternoon of sharing: we enjoyed music, the company of people who cared … and the Bay.
A fantastic day, thank you Sophie, Rose and team; Blue Wedges, and Operation Quarantine.
The Bay knows.
* Sea of red, the Age.
Fabulous pic by Yanni Dellaportas: Yanni has been part of the Campaign for yonks - he was out there at the heads to greet the Queen. He is with us and for the Bay - his love comes through in his artwork. His book of gorgeous pics is out now, details on his site.
Tomorrow, Sunday 17 February is a last public gathering and Rally to support the halting of this massive channel widening and deepening and the restructruing of our Melbourne City into a huge industrial monolith. This is not just about saving the Bay - which is an enormously noble and worthy campaign in itself. It is also about the vision we have for our City of Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs lining a Marine Sanctuary. It is about our way of life and the access we have to beautiful, healthy, natural resources.
I live in Rye on the mornington peninsular. Yesterday, my local gourmet butcher(king island meats and delicacies abound), informed me he was closing on sundays now. His regular customers, built up over the last two summers since he’d taken over the business, are both local and the usual transient tourists and holiday house part time folk. “They are thinking twice now about coming down here now if the dredging goes ahead”, he said mournfully. “They have noticed the change in the water already.” I sat at the Blairgowrie village this morning (Saturday) and watched the line of cars and people heading for the beach. The water is murky - cloudy.
I read Tracee Hutchison’s article in the Age while I enjoyed my coffee:
Running out of time to save our great bay I gazed out across the bay and let the sparkling sunlight tickle my eyes. I wondered why the scientific tests and expertise of the Port of Melbourne team fail to pick up what our own natural human senses can: the taste of metal in the mouth, the cloudy water, the lower levels of oxygen and fresh air coming off the bay. Somehow, that cleansing invigorating feeling has gone: the people know it, the swimmers know it, the divers know it, the marine life knows it. Why don’t the tests of scientists show it? Common sense tells us that the residue in the bottom of the channel WILL contain metals, oils and dirty sand. The thousands of ships travelling along those channels are from all over the world. Who knows what they enter our port with and how many defy the laws and empty their bilge in our Bay?
And now the butcher knows it too. He’s going diving on Sunday instead of opening his shop. He’ll report next week what he and his son discover.
So tomorrow we are gathering at Rosebud Foreshore. There will be speakers, workshops, activities for the kiddies. In the local Rosebud Memorial Hall, there will be an exhibition of marine photography and art works. So many people love this bay. The oppressive draconian climate in Victoria discourages activism on a grand scale. And this process has been so drawn out that many are resigned now. But we know. Many a thinking person knows. It just does not add up: financially, sociologically, environmentally and aesthetically. So why is it going ahead? I know many have tried to find out more: but the FOI restrictions prevent in depth investigation. I shudder - an instinctive response.
Eventually, the truth will oust - it always does as demonstrated so beautifully this past week. But a whole network of groups and caring folk are trying to prevent damage in the meantime. It’s the human way, the human spirit.
Rosebud Foreshore 1 - 4 pm.
South of Rosebud Pier (Mel 158 E11)
rosebudrally1.pdf
Map reveals human toll on oceans
Insurers to map areas at sea risk
There seems to be two different dimensions of reality occurring at the same time on our dear planet.
In one, the purpose is to increase pollution, spend more money, create more heavy industry and disregard any indication of the need for honesty, integrity, co-operation, self discipline and responsibility.
Spring Street backs gas guzzlers in fleet extension
In the other, is awareness of the effects of human activity on the other forms of life with which we share this planet; the development of new technologies like hybrid cars, water tanks and solar cells; group and community participation and notions of transparency, simplicity and sustainability.
Nearly every corner of seas damaged by human activity
Accounts fail to value environment
I have only a faint idea of what is happening in the minds and hearts of our Victorian Government at the moment; whatever is on their minds is so far away from the reality I perceive that we may as well be in different dimensions.
So many decisions and bills are being passed that are veering drastically away from the direction the better part of global humanity (and our own Federal Government) is heading. Perhaps the Cabinet could spend their next weekend away at the Mazes on the Peninsular and train themselves to sense the centre of life from a more intuitive and wholesome core. Visit the local markets and buy your munchies, crafts, beers and wines, yummy cakes and healthy tucker.
Local organic produce is highly recommended. All GM free.
If Victoria continues down the path it is on, it will end up in a cultural, financial, environmental and evolutionary dead end.
Victoria’s sultans of spin try to mask growing problems,
Limiting the Freedom of Information Act to prevent people from knowing the truth; introducing GM seeds and crops that have to be re purchased each year in a massive rejection of nature’s abundance; repiping much needed water from one area to the other when the installation of water tanks over the next 3 months in every household in Victoria would be a damn (!) site cheaper; the devastation of Port Phillip Bay which is our natural carbon sink and marine sanctuary - and basically taking economic enterprise from one group to give to another; not supporting either teachers or police force (disastrous combination of neglect in societal health) but giving money to overseas investors; supporting developers through VCAT creating more McMansions and apartment buildings, retail shopping malls and consumer cheap-goods meccas in quaint seaside and country towns and destroying any semblance of character and ambiance …
Hello … ?
You have probably noticed the flowering gums out all around the Bay.
Today is Sorry day - a momentous day in the history of Australia.
Previously on these posts, I have spoken about our culture that denies people (especially those in public roles) an honourable way to admit they have made a decision which may need to be reviewed. Today, we have witnessed an incredibly moving and dignified demonstration of just how this can be achieved.
May our Victorian Government take note. It is making a number of decisions which are grossly inappropriate: in the next two weeks the FOI amendments that further limit our ability to access the truth, is out of line with the Governor General’s request for disclosure and transparency. The lifting of the GM bans is also dangerous and unsound in terms of the the most recent findings in both the US and Canada. The entanglement of capitalism and democracy has led to major distortions in our Western cultures wherein financial monopolies are blatantly disregarding the needs of the people and of the environment.
It is startling to read in the Age today that our local Divers have been refused compensation by the POM. The arrogance and cold hearted response by this corporate group of people, is grossly out of synch with the ambiance of the nation.
May today’s Federal stance also give encouragement to many politicians, judges and corporate CEO’s to make the right choices for our society and environment of which we are guardians.
Today, our Federal Government raised the bar.
Personally, for us, we been given further encouragement to act upon that which we know to be right and good:
the Saving of our Bay.
People are tying red ribbons to their cars - aerials, door handles, the front grill.
Try the letter box, the front door, bags - whatever you can.
Blue wedges is encouraging us to write to our local MP’s, and to create banners for our gardens. http://bluewedges.org
The Mornington Leader newspaper is inviting people to send in their observations and pics of what is occurring on the Bay.
Contact Lisa Habermann 03 5975 3633
email: habermannl@leadernewspapers.com.au
It has been brought to my attention that a toxic dump in Tullamarine is leaking into the Moonee Ponds Creek which is of course, also flowing into the Bay.
Toxic leak in creek
EPA in toxic gas gaffe
Oh dear!
Victoria’s sultans of spin try to mask growing problems
“The Brumby Government has ceased being the servant of the voters and has become their masters, managing public opinion with spin and justifying its decisions based on what it argues is superior understanding of the issues. Of course, this claim to superior understanding is based on tight control of information which, in most cases, is shared with the corporate interests directly involved in profiting from the decision.”
Ken Davidson, the Age, 14 February 2008
Oh dear!
Pic taken at Rye Friday 8 february. A small local mobile machine was dredging the marina. First time in 5 years. Good timing huh? The seagulls obviously couldn’t read the sign. Despite the obvious pollution, people were swimming and fishing nearby.
Sophie Small (Seaford Bayvigil group) is organising a Rally at Rosebud foreshore next Sunday 17 February. All welcome! This will be our last get together before the Court hearing on 20 February.
Come along, enjoy the gathering and see the dredge out there on the Bay.
rosebudrally.pdf
Locals put up signs.
* The greens have been putting out media releases that have been systematically ignored by mainstream media. Why?
Sad sight in Port Phillip Bay
Monitoring the Bay is not good enough
Sickening sight
Move to refer Dredging Project to Upper House
Greens see red
Call for independent analysis of fish lesions.
Government can’t say how much channel deepening will cost
And finally, the FOI (Freedom of Information Act) is about to become even more draconian and restrictive.
Herald Sun editorial on FOI
The Sunday Age back page : The Heckler referred to this as well. Perhaps the Age investigative reporters have been digging a bit too deep?
A simple test is sufficient: if it is good and right - nothing needs to be hidden.
Yesterday early morning at Rosebud Pier, in a seaside town on the Mornington Peninsular, a protest was organised to demonstrate to the public that there are many of us out here in the greater world who do not want an archaic vision for Melbourne and our Bay to be implemented. What do we want instead?
We want a way of living that honours the natural beauty and immense value of this Bay surrounded by a sprawling City and embracing many villages and towns; supporting many small and larger human enterprises and providing us all here in Victoria with a huge, healthy, regenerating carbon sink and a Marine Sanctuary.
Fifteen brave souls took on the huge dredger as a symbolic gesture that represents the feelings, thoughts and prayers of many. It is not just the physical size and power of the dredger, but also what its work in our Bay is preparing the channels for: an industrial mega City and international port which is inappropriate for this City and Bay. The design and creation of an Eco City surrounding a Marine Sanctuary is the natural expression and enhancing of what we already have and cherish.
The Age newspaper today offers a video/sound playing of the whales singing in Tonga. May it be an inspiration to us and a reminder of what we are seeking to maintain and protect. It is my small offering in gratitude.
Whales singing
Pic courtesy of ABC tv news.
See updated Press Page for coverage.
Channel Deepening
One
The salt water from Port Phillip Bay
washes the salt from my skin,
caresses my tired muscles,
at the end of a hot work-day.
I float, in a watery crib,
rocked gently by the rhythmic wave surge,
so gently rocked, the boundaries between my blood
and the Bay’s waters dissolve, there’s no separation:
her tides, my monthly bleeding,
each ruled by the Moon’s waxing and waning,
places of creation, places of profound nurturing.
The Bay’s womb-shape,
protects her life from the seas of Bass Strait.
And in her cool, shallow waters she supports 5000 different life forms,
fish, crustaceans, mammals, seagrass and algae.
Seabirds - some fly millions of miles to feast and to breed and to live and die here.
A pod of female dolphins, guardians of her southern Heads,
greet a myriad of fish entering to spawn in the sanctuary of her seagrass beds,
where Weedy Seadragons drift.
And penguins chase anchovy in the north, at the Yarra River’s mouth.
I ache for her.
Plans for violation: trials, calculations, projections
The hydro-hammer at her entrance,
the dredging of her channels,
toxic sediment resuspended,
murky plumes clouding her waters;
risking the death of her life:
unconsented termination to provide entry for those big container ships.
My tears are salty too, and they flow freely in her salty waters.
And still she rocks me gently,
encircles me with her strength,
croones me an underwater lullaby.
“I am Power”, she sings, “primal energy, the originator of life.
My nurturing is infinite: feel it!
You are power too: know it in your body.
Have hope. Stand strong. We are one.”
Two
68 square km of seagrass abundant with Life.
Heterozostera tasmanica, Amphibolis antarcticus. Zostera meulleri:
you are the crux on which so much depends.
King George Whiting, Australian Salmon, Calamari, Rockflathead,
Six-spined leather jacket, Grass whiting. Pipefish:
our science has not yet grasped your intricacies.
Rare Snapping Shrimp and Burrowing Ghost Shrimp:
from where will you return when the sediment finally settles?
I dream of our culture honouring all life forms.
21 million cubic metres of rock and sand removed in the South
and dumped back in the Bay off Mt Martha.
10.5 million cubic metres removed from the North,
and dumped off Brighton.
Maintenance dredging ‘till 2030.
I dream of our culture respecting the limits of nature.
Turbid plumes stretching for 25 000 ha in south and 13 000 ha in the north:
Pipefish, seahorses, seadragons, your EPBC* Act listing can’t help you now.
Marine Sanctuaries, Ramsar Conventions, where’s your protection?
Competitive advantage, economic impact, global markets, efficiency,
bigger and better, faster, cheaper, more money, more money, more money.
I dream of our planet working together,
Co-operating with the long-term welfare of the whole
in our minds and our hearts.
I share my dreams of hope with millions of people.
Are we foolish to dream?
Then, when shall we start?
The Bay is sacred; let’s respect all of her Life,
let’s embrace all her gifts;
let’s give thanks for all she provides.
Sophie Small
This pic is taken from Arthur’s seat and overlooks the area of the bay where the channelling shall begin this morning.
***[Protestors hassle the Dredger. Updated Press Page midday.
Pics, video footage and articles. ]***
Taken by Jewelz from balcony in McCrae around 8.30 am this morning.
Locals meet International:
Five concerned water groups will express their concern to Parliament
at midday tomorrow.
Today I met with our local Mornington Peninsular Federal MP: Greg Hunt. The meeting was arranged as part of a campaign to introduce local politicians to the GetUp Organisation’s people agenda. The purpose was to familiarise Greg with the process by which GetUp members across Australia determined the priorities for our nation: these are Environment, Education and Reconciliation with another 7 concerns listed.
Our local Flinders group agreed unanimously that environment was most crucial: in particular the concerns about Gunnamatta Ocean, Westernport and Port Phillip Bays. Top of the agenda for Flinders group when it met in December was concern re the dredging of Melbourne’s Bay.
Greg came prepared to the meeting with copies of articles expressing his own concerns. These were published in the Herald Sun:
Dredging casts dark shadow on beautiful Port Phillip
01 December 2007
Highlights the projected loss of income for the people whose livelihood depends on the Bay as well addressing the dire consequences of the dredging and toxic dump - to the health of the Bay:
“The State Government’s own assessment of the channel deepening project found that dive operators and other businesses reliant on the bay will lose almost $19 million in income as a direct result of the dredging.”
Toxic Shocker
24 January 2008
Further emphasises his concern with the pollution of the Bay:
“Would a private company be allowed to dump sediment contaminated by zinc, lead and mercury in the bay?
Answer: absolutely not. “
Greg is the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water. He is friendly, interesting and impassioned about both human and environmental issues and is definitely committed to participatory democracy.
His website is:
www.greghunt.org
Perhaps you could approach your own local Federal representatives before they head for Canberra and the first sitting of Parliament for 2008.
A reminder: for those who are interested in applying for the Port of Melbourne Community Liason group to assist in the monitoring of the Bay: applications close on Friday 8 February.
clg_expression_of_interest_form.pdf
clg_information_for_applicants.pdf
Cheers and here’s welcoming the much needed rain!
Hilary
[*pic by Rhys at the heads on January 29]
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