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.
The Federal Court ordered Blue Wedges and PoMC into mediation yesterday. After five hours (must have been gruelling), the agreement was reached to barr the dredging at the mouth of the Yarra and Williamstown until after the hearing set for 20 February.
So today, the Queen sets up her equipment to start work on the Southern Channel.
Delay
In today’s Age, there is a beautiful article written by Paul Bateman who loves his swim in the Bay. He writes:
Ironically, when Lieutenant-Colonel David Collins sailed from Port Phillip Bay in 1804 — only months after he’d arrived and attempted without success to establish a permanent settlement at Sullivan Cove, Sorrento — he said of the bay:
“It cannot nor ever will be resorted to by speculative men.”
Paul Bateman
The Press page is updated so you scan the latest few days at leisure.
There is also a map of the dredging plan on the links index at right of this home page.
Personally, I think we are being bulldozed into all of this by little boy brains with big egos who have too much time and money and very little sensitivity and intelligent/educated vision: ‘Speculative men’ indeed!
Perhaps their childhood playboxes were full of excavation toys, piggy banks and bob-the-builder books. There are many of us however, who do not want them in our sandpit nor near our beautiful swimming hole and fish pond: go away!
There are also many who just do not relate to the ’Let’s pretend’ game of 2030 prosperity at the cost of those industries, enterprises and livelihoods we enjoy here today.
Pffft!
There is a partial eclipse this afternoon so if you are feeling morose – it may be affecting you. It is instinctively a time of withdrawal.
It is an excellent time for those attuned to send your energies of support and warning to the life forms in the Southern Channel, especially near Rosebud and along the shore heading South. We can assist the Bay by informing the dolphins and seals who will warn the other sea life to get out of the way.
Cheers, blessings for the new moon Eclipse in the humanitarian sign of Aquarius, the beginning of the Chinese year of the Rat.
It is a full lunar cycle since we lined the beaches and shone our lights.
Love Our Bay!
It’s official, Minister Garrett has approved the dredging project with the very strict guidelines and conditions established. The project must be monitored and the public informed of the results:
Minister Garrett’s media release: garrettmr20080205a.pdf
Garrett approves dredging, ABC tv news.
The Blue Wedges Coalition has 24 hours to apply for an injunction.
Protestors from a number of groups stormed Parliament today:
In the eye of the storm, the Age newspaper.
Garrett gives dredging go-ahead, the Age. Video footage of protest at opening of Parliament today.
The people of Victoria are concerned about their environment.
We have contributed significantly to this awareness and collectively have helped to throw a halogen lamp on the care of our Bay.
7. 15 pm Tuesday 5 February 2008
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]
The moods of the Bay intrigue me.
This early dawn pic reveals a bronze and golden sea.
Yet in just a couple of hours, the water could be clear blues and greens.
The weather and the time of day paints the same scenes with different colours.
The predawn spectacular of Venus and Jupiter with a crescent moon can be seen in the greyblue sky towards the SE and is indeed something to behold.
These next two mornings before the storms and rain descend once again, offer a delight if you can rouse yourselves to head for the Bay and a beloved beach around 5.30 – 6.00 am.
Breakfast and coffee afterwards is yummy.
Peace.
[Update: The sky is covered in cloud and the seamists cocoon the world in silence and stillness. Did not catch a glimpse of Venus and Jupiter - but shall venture out again the next two morns anyway. It is beautiful starting the day in such peace.
We are well into the United Nations Decade :
Water for Life 2005 - 2015.
I have updated the Press page.
Perhaps it is time for a State referendum.
Let the people decide.
Do note this weekend Minister Garrett is absorbed with the Environment Plan for the Bay. Perhaps either a sunrise or sunset sojourn around the Bay and ponderance about its need for protective care - may help. We are connected and the template is there for us all to utilise for our own well being
and that of the Bay. ]
Oh dear, the brothers are sparring and sibling rivalry is hilighting the central issue that is now Melbourne’s elephant in the room. There’s a huge dredger sitting idle in Melbourne’s port waiting to do its thing. The PoMc took a risk and sent word for the Queen of the Netherlands to hitail it to Melbourne before the EMP (Environmental Management Program) had been approved. Now she sits there waiting for Minister Garrett to grant his approval and meanwhile a Judge has warned PoMc not to go ahead when a hearing is pending.
Expensive gamble that one!
It’s a well known strategy here in Victoria – developers demolish houses, clear land and create havoc just prior to writs or injunctions are granted. ‘The horse has bolted and there’s nothing you can do’ … that’s the MO of those who choose control and imposition over negotiation. ’Fait Accompli ?’ Oh dear!
Premier Brumby revealed his own narkiness by trying to convince Melbournians that we’d ‘end up like Adelaide’ if we don’t create a mega port and build up the City. Adelaide Premier Mike Rann has responded. [see Press Page]. The Adelaide papers are loaded with Blogs, comments, articles and a poll. Thoroughly entertaining reading. How embarrassing! Sorry Adelaide – please do not think for one moment that Premier Brumby represents all Victorians! No, no, we’re not a State full of pea-brained toffs in kahoots with ex-convicts!
Oh dear, Premier Brumby and all those who voted for this project, is the plan for a prosperous City limited to the meccano/legoland you want? Can you envisage a beautiful environmentally healthy City surrounding a huge carbon sink also renowned for its marine sanctuary and pristine beaches? Can you imagine and do you know about the cultural richness and diversity that is here already? Do you know about the educational facilities, the museums and art galleries, the gourmet food centres and local providers of organic (non GM) natural food and wines, the gardens and parks, the theatres and restaurants? Do you know about the scores of people who would want to book into this City for their conferences, sabbaticals, workshops and personal R n’R? They won’t if you ruin Docklands! Have you even considered a Marine Biology College for Melbourne? [No, not one that is charged $1m per year to reside at Point Nepean - now that's discouraging of potential prosperity, isn't it!]
Do you know Mr Brumby, that directly below Port Phillip Bay is the Antarctic – providing us with fresh clean winds and cooling clear waters and yes, unique cold water Bay life? Do you know that Adelaide is developing their aquaculture? Do you know that this year is the WWF International Year of the Reef? Do you realise what we have here?
I have spent all of 58 years here in Melbourne and I do not ever recall anybody espousing the beauty and wealth of this City in terms of its port capacity and industrial potential. In fact, the suburbs that are over industrialised and suffocating with their roads choked by trucks are now forming local Action groups to call a halt to the creeping disease. Are you aware Mr Brumby that the rest of the world is cutting back on industrialisation and dependency on oil? WHAT big ships and cargoes are you expecting? Do you consult with Price Waterhouse on the stats of reducing populations, ageing Boomers, the need to train and educate enmasse? We don’t have enough teachers but you are providing more jobs -for whom?
This was an idea from the mid 1990’s and inflamed with the passions of frantic last century developers.
It is over Mr Brumby. The world around you wants to sail on the Bay, play tennis and enjoy picnics whilst listening to outdoor concerts. The new hi tech world is cleaner than the old and the new message is quality as preferable to quantity. Built in obsolesence is fast becoming obselete and sustainability is replacing ‘rampant growth’. The new in words are ‘work smart’ not ‘work hard’ ! Finally Mr Brumby and cohorts from yesteryear, have you heard of mediation and negotiation ? They work better than imposition and shadow strategies.
Any wonder we had to surround Port Phillip Bay with Lights!
Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! So sorry Adelaide!
It was a glorious balmy dawn and boats, jetskis, yachts and skips took off with media and protesters aboard to Meet the Queen at the heads of the Bay. Excellent co-ordination and planning by Operation Quarantine meant we linked up with Dive charter boats from Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. We were well escorted by Water police and security which is a credit to our democracy. (!?)
The Queen is an impressive ship of complex engineering. Her crew were as interested in us as we were of them.
John Lawler who organised the Vigil flotilla, the Diver Charters from Queenscliff, the little yachtee and jetski folk, the ‘penguin’ and the brave souls who fronted the waves and met the Queen – salute!
You can join in tonight: Channel 10 news has a phone poll until 12.00 midnight. 1902 555 501 votes no to the dredging.
Channel 7 news has an internet poll:
yahoo7.com.au/news
The Queen made for Melbourne at a fast rate of knots – where she was met by more boats, protesters on kayaks and people along the dock.
While we were absorbed in this adventure and demonstration, Blue Wedges were back in Court.
By coincidence (or Grand design , the ABC TV broadcast the final of the series: Strange Days on Planet Earth – tonight. The conclusion was that we (humans) are slowly becoming aware of the effects our lifestyles, industry and farming are having on nature. Australia was featured in tonight’s program. The need to monitor and clean up in order to save nature was hilighted.
Here’s hoping we can save our Bay and save Melbournians from themselves and the expensive and painful consequences of the dredging project.
Thanks to the wide cross section of media and local press who joined us today.
Gorgeous pics at AAP
Well done folks! A grand show indeed. A spirited effort.
Thanks to Carey and John Lawler.
*pics by Hilary, John Lawler and Rhys Jones.
Today’s front page in the Age – Clay Lucas and Ben Schneiders have revealed [Press] the dredging Company Boksalis will be paid half a billion dollars for restructuring our Bay. I am sure the Netherlands crew are skilled and excellent at their specialist work. In international terms and with regard to large infrastructure projects, the amount to be paid for their task is reasonable.
However, that’s a lot of dollars that could go towards building an environmentally friendly city and boost our health, education and welfare programs. Do we have a choice of what grand designs our Government has for our City and surrounding Bay?
But this is regarded as ‘ideological’ thinking. [Press]
I want to go on record here as stating that although we share a common purpose, and have exchanged a few phone calls and emails, I have in fact never attended a Blue Wedges meeting and have only met a couple of the members. They seem to me to be passionate people dedicated to the preservation of Port Phillip Bay. They have worked hard for years in this campaign and are diligent in their media releases and their exploration of the truth. The integrity they demonstrate throws new light onto the definition of ‘ideology’. That they are linked to pirates and international terrorism is surely ridiculous.
Rather, the efforts of PoMc and the State to hide commercial interests and the details of the project’s impact on the environment and to undermine democracy – ARE cause for concern. What ideologies are at the root of such obtuse behaviour?
The truth needs no hiding, defense nor justification. If this project is good, healthy, wise and wonderful – then would its creators and designers, its proponents and those who will benefit – please step into the light!
Speaking of which … all you lovers of the Bay:
A reminder that since the Vigil of Lights around the Bay on the 8/01/08 you do have a network of places and the spirit of people who love the Bay to connect with – something you can enjoy and link into whenever you feel drawn to the beach.
There will be a beautiful sight to meet those enjoying the peace and stillness of the dawn on the beaches around the Bay for the next few mornings. We have storms gathering on Wednesday night so I suggest you utilise these next two early morns to enjoy the ambience. The brightest planets Venus and Jupiter are meeting up in the South East and are above the horizon as the sun brings us the day. By February 4th, they will be joined by the moon as well. Look for Bunjii the sea eagle, the guardian of the Bay.
For those interested in Dr Masura Emoto’s research on the effect we can have on water: his February crystal is Hope. Dr Emoto
[Hope to bring you lovely pics tomorrow]
Hopeful Hils
FOE International petition
‘ Our land abounds with nature’s gifts, of beauty rich and rare’
[from our national anthem: Advance Australia Fair...]
It is the Oz holiday weekend and we celebrate Australia as a nation, and a huge island continent.
This first pic is of the early morning sea mist that pervaded the Mornington Peninsular yesterday. The sounding of the ship’s horn through the fog was an eerie way to arise to the dawn. I wondered if the toxic dumps that are to be left uncovered in the sea to settle – would diffuse through the mists as well. So much to consider as we contemplate our fragile and sensitive ecosystem.
The mists cleared to a glorious summer day and Oz folk enjoyed the beautiful Bay
We watched the local SES demonstrate its prowess in a mock sea rescue.
A cargo ship passes close to the beach in the channel.
The cooling breeze of the brewing storm was blowing in by then.
I had tears in my eyes as I hid behind my sunglasses and stood vigil at the raising of the Flag ceremony in Rye. I leaned on my board with ‘Save our Bay’ in my hand written gesture. The local Federal MP, Greg Hunt was there and Shane McGovern of 3 MP radio. They, along with the President of the Rye Lions Club, spoke of Community involvement and acknowledged our Bay Campaign.
Came home to see the Blue Wedges group on Channel Ten at Elwood with their lineup of people and signs: No to Toxic Dump and Not in our Bay! What a show !
Then the finale of the Australia day celebrations with fireworks at the beach against an indigo sky raging with its own lightning display.
Annette (Safety Beach group) was at Mornington:
“The boys and I and two of my sons friends walked with the Mornington street parade.
We were honoured to walk behind the beautiful weedy sea dragon.
We were also highly proud to walk with Elise and her lovely mum.
And we were triple blessed to have walked next to Bunjil our protector of this land from
Boonerwrong storyline and dreamtime.
We carried a simple hand painted sign saying:
‘Our land abounds with nature’s gifts , of beauty
rich and rare !’ SAVE THE BAY.
The crowds applause told us they saw our message.
We get so much strength from the spirit of the bay.”
And a grand idea in a memo from Philippa Bailey in Edithvale:
“A suggestion for grassroots involvement!
The PoM are advertising for ‘community reps’ for a Channel Deepening Liason Group. I intend to apply representing the residents of the Longbeach area (Mordialloc to Chelsea).
Forms attached. *
Also I propose to write to my council (City of Kingston) with a series of questions about what to look out for in the water, when not to swim, when not to buy fish etc from next week-end after dredging begins. How do they propose to keep their constituents safe? Perhaps we could request local meetings with councils and state members?
How about a beach roster, someone checks each area of beach every day and a site to report back comments and findings and who to inform?
I was down at beach this morning with a 100 or so other dog walkers, … tears in my eyes and pondering on what to do next.”
Philippa Bailey
clg_expression_of_interest_form.pdf
clg_information_for_applicants.pdf
It is a good idea to involve the people – we’d all be keeping vigil anyway! Some of you may like to apply. The closing date is Friday 8 February 2008.
The monitoring of the dredging project and its effect on the Bay has become the call of the State Opposition Leader: article by Ted Bailleu today on Press Page.
But it all seems to be about ‘cleaning up’ after the event. I do not understand how our Bay, which is Crown Property, is being devastated for the commercial interests of the POMc and its overseas investors. If any other group enterprise in the Bay committed such envrionmental vandalism, it would be promptly stopped. Moreso considering major dredging will be done along the Point Nepean area which is declared Heritage (2006) land. How has this been allowed past State legislation? How is it that the project thwarts even the City of Melbourne Environment and Sustainability Policies? How/why have local Councils agreed to this gross destruction of one of Victoria’s main natural assets?
I grant that the original idea came from a Kennett led Victoria which was full-on into building prosperity and sadly weak on the consequences to the environment, community and social fabric of our society. [see PR win vital to plan's smooth sailing, the Age.] There are many aspects of this ‘economic rationalism’ driven lust for gold (and power), that have bulldozed through nature and people – we have come to regret. This is not just a local quirk of character – it is a global problem now.
But we in Australia have our part to play in this global transformation project. I have watched sadly over the years as many Oz enterprises, national treasures and major assets of land/property have been sold out to the glamour of $$$ and the overseas status and power. I know many older nations in the world do not allow such pillage. Is it because we are still young, naiive and insecure as a nation? That we do not realise the value of what we have … until it’s gone? If indeed this is an example of our immaturity as a nation, then it is supported by the investigative journalism of Richard Baker (The Age): the spark that started this fire was sibling rivalry between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. That the unique beauty and invaluable asset of Port Phillip Bay could be travested in a bid for one-upman-ship is quite humorous! Yes, the last 11 years have seen such divisive fires fanned.
Our task now, our greatest challenge, both as a nation, and as a State and City, is to truly know what our special gift is and nurture that. This Bay is NOT a deep water port and Melbourne is NOT a Mega Industrial City. Then what is she? And is what she has to offer, enough to satify the economists and competitors? Melbourne already enjoys the reputation as one of the world’s ‘most liveable cities’ . Are we brave enough to grasp this global appreciation and nurture it?
Advance Australia Fair.
confidently and consciously please…
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