Save Westernport Woodlands
WPPC's Letter to Politicians September 2023
This letter went out to seven politicians accompanied by banners done by children from Casey Shire saying SAVE WESTERNPORT WOODLANDS and illustrated by them with drawings of bandicoots, lace monitors, and powerful owls
| save_westernport_woodlands_children.docx |
WPPC's Submission To The Bass Coast Distinctive Area Plan 2023
See WPPC's presentation to the Bass Coast Distinctive Area Plan about the Westernport Woodland National Park at 10.15am Tuesday 18th April
It should be an interesting day the other speakers include Catherine Watson, Save Westernport, Southern Brown Bandicoot Regional Recovery Group
Phillip Island Conservation Society and The Westernport Biosphere
The Presentation:
https://1drv.ms/p/s!AunA9gaBLNbPkyYaL3nWgWpgDfEA
Our download the presentation here below
WPPC's Submission to the Bass Coast Distinctive Area Plan displayed in two different formats downloadable below
| wppc_bass_coast_dal.pptx |
The Proposed Westernport Woodland NAtional Park
[email protected]
Dear Bushwalkers
We are a volunteer community group that is seeking a quick response from you as bushwalkers to help save woodlands on the east side of Westernport Bay.
You can see on the map below a few small patches of dark green, diagonally along the eastern side of Westernport Bay. These are called the Westernport Woodlands. These are the under threat of clearing. We believe they would be very valuable for ecology, education and recreation because they host a diverse array of plants, animals and birds.
Please send me a few words that express the potential value to your group of the woodlands in the Bass Coast Area. Or fill in the survey below and save and forward it back as an email. Just a paragraph from you now by reply email would be great. Even better, if you could send my email to others in your group for those bushwalkers to forward it back to me.
Let me explain: I am a volunteer and am to give a presentation to the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas Landscape Plan Hearing. Other environmental groups and The Bass Coast Shire are covering ecological matters so I am talking about the recreational value of this area, representing our group Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council now in its 52nd year. We have surveyed people but are now approaching bushwalkers.
The Westernport Woodlands are the dark green patches diagonally beside the east of Westernport Bay.
They are now viewed as expendable crown land and are being harvested by sand-miners though there are many areas of sand, already cleared, that could be used as an alternative. A report has been done about sand resources and can be found on Save Western Port Woodlands Website. At present there are few facilities such as car parks and maintained tracks in these reserves that allow access for recreation.
There is so little vegetation left in the region. We want to save the whole lot as a National Park, primarily for the other species but also for recreation and education. We know that is wonderful for tourism, property values and education and the health budget.
Please fill out the survey below about recreation in woodland in the south east of Melbourne save and forward it back to me at [email protected] or email me back with a short comment or ring
Yours Sincerely,
Karri Giles
Secretary
WPPC
WPPC Westernport Woodlands Survey:
Westernport and Peninsula Protection CounciL INC
Would you drive to the eastern side of Westernport Bay to enjoy a new Westernport National Park?
What would you like to see in terms of recreation there?
Walking track
Bike riding track
Horse-riding
Bird hides
Mountain bike
camping
BBQ Seating
Trolley-car
other
What could the educational sector use it for?
Camps
Aboriginal education
Science curriculum
Universities
Outdoor-Ed training
Welcome new migrants
other
Do you think sand miners should extract sand from bushland reserves? There is 500 years worth of sand under degraded farmland?
Do you value the ecology? Why?
Other thoughts?
Save Westernport Woodlands Need your help now October 2022
Below is a letter you can cut and paste and adapt to use yourself to send to the Ministers Below to show this is an important issue. Through our letter writing stalls WPPC and interested people sent dozens of similar letters to a variety of ministers over the last year and a half.
Below is a letter you can cut and paste and adapt to use yourself to send to the Ministers Below to show this is an important issue. Through our letter writing stalls WPPC and interested people sent dozens of similar letters to a variety of ministers over the last year and a half.
| wppc_letter_save_westernport_woodlands__081022.doc |
To
Jordan Crugnale, Bass MP, [email protected]
Daniel Andrews, Victoria Premier, [email protected]
Lily D’Ambrosio, Environment Minister, [email protected]
Lizzie Blandthorn, Planning Minister, [email protected]
Jaala Pulford, Resources Minister, [email protected]
Catherine King, Infrastructure Minister, [email protected]
October 2022
Re: Westernport Woodlands planning
I am writing to support the Save Westernport Woodlands campaign to end sand-mining in Bass Coast’s rare coastal forests and woodlands. Around 70% of the Western Port Woodlands area has been designated 'Extractive Industry Interest Area', much of it currently subject to sand mining proposals.
It is clear that for centuries to come, our state sand resource can be filled nearby, but outside of the woodland area. There is no need for sand mining in the Westernport woodlands. The 2016 Extractive Resources Demand and Supply Study produced for the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions by EY and PWC indicates licensed reserves in 2050 as equal to 574 years’ supply at 2025 demand levels.[1]
The area designated for sand mining is home to many threatened species, including the brown bandicoot, the powerful owl, lace monitor, and white footed dunnart.[2] Rare and diminishing amphibian, reptile and birdlife species are still being found within the woodland areas in the high significance, endangered swampy riparian woodland and the riparian forest.
The east of Westernport has been cleared of most large patches of forest. Apart from this bush corridor, there are no large patches of bush between Mt Worth, Bunyip State Park and Wilsons Promontory. The woodlands provide diverse habitat for echidna, wallabies, reptiles, wildflowers and hold ancient specimens of Xanthorrhoea australi (grass trees). Habitat throughout Gippsland has become increasingly important due to the significant losses of 2020, through bushfire.
Woodlands of this quality are a real draw-card for people for passive recreation, citizen science and professional survey work. This whole bushland corridor encompasses several Nature Conservation Reserves including Adams Creek and The Gurdies. These areas could be linked to create a new National Park, as a gateway to bass coast from Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula: a drawcard for tourism and passive recreational activities that will support local economic, and state wide education and wellbeing for Victorians. A protected wildlife sanctuary, a centre for Indigenous culture and education, and complementary leisure activities such as walking, hiking, and mountain biking will support people with different interests.
It is government responsibility under law to protect land that has endangered species. The Department of Transport is actively looking for offsets for The Koo Wee Rup Bypass. Given the significant development that has taken place in Casey and Cardinia, protecting the Westernport woodlands is certainly practical and in the spirit of the offset system.
If the government’s stance is ‘no net loss of vegetation’, the Westernport Woodland Reserve, as an existing series of intact habitats, is obviously needed.
The Westernport Woodlands are significant ecologically, therefore protection of their flora and fauna needs to be an immediate priority. In addition, waste water and sediment pose significant risk to the health of Westernport Bay[3], a home for recreational fishers, sailors, divers, and penguin colonies, all of which attract significant tourism, economic and social wellbeing for Victorians.
This is an opportunity for our state government to show true leadership in line with the wishes of Victorians to protect our shrinking natural environment. Protective action now will preserve and protect this area for generations to come and is consistent with state government policy, including:
Value creation and capture framework[4], focuses on getting better value for Victorian taxpayers' money from all future infrastructure projects; In future, when building infrastructure or developing precincts, government will be: enabling economic opportunities, building green space, increasing community services, housing and education opportunities, and creating more value for the community than would otherwise be the case.
No Minister could justify unnecessary sandmining in a high significance area, which is not needed, and adds nothing to benefit the local community over enhancing planning protections that respond to community wishes, enhance wellbeing and natural green space (forest) and enable new economic opportunities.
As a concerned citizen, I urge you to take action to protect the Westernport Woodlands.
Yours sincerely
[1] Save Westernport Woodlands, Submission on the Draft Statement of Planning Policy, Bass Coast https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o1hyAc8K8ipb2KKefHFvebGQhbQI9bBA/view
[2] Victorian National Parks Association ,2021, Westernport Woodlands, Wildlife Corridor or Sand Pit?
[3] Professor Dick Wettenhall, Sand Mine Pollution Review https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xwK2iLNPVtkmAanb-cpZta3y4TSKuAS8/view
[4] https://www.vic.gov.au/value-creation-and-capture-framework, accessed October 2022
Jordan Crugnale, Bass MP, [email protected]
Daniel Andrews, Victoria Premier, [email protected]
Lily D’Ambrosio, Environment Minister, [email protected]
Lizzie Blandthorn, Planning Minister, [email protected]
Jaala Pulford, Resources Minister, [email protected]
Catherine King, Infrastructure Minister, [email protected]
October 2022
Re: Westernport Woodlands planning
I am writing to support the Save Westernport Woodlands campaign to end sand-mining in Bass Coast’s rare coastal forests and woodlands. Around 70% of the Western Port Woodlands area has been designated 'Extractive Industry Interest Area', much of it currently subject to sand mining proposals.
It is clear that for centuries to come, our state sand resource can be filled nearby, but outside of the woodland area. There is no need for sand mining in the Westernport woodlands. The 2016 Extractive Resources Demand and Supply Study produced for the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions by EY and PWC indicates licensed reserves in 2050 as equal to 574 years’ supply at 2025 demand levels.[1]
The area designated for sand mining is home to many threatened species, including the brown bandicoot, the powerful owl, lace monitor, and white footed dunnart.[2] Rare and diminishing amphibian, reptile and birdlife species are still being found within the woodland areas in the high significance, endangered swampy riparian woodland and the riparian forest.
The east of Westernport has been cleared of most large patches of forest. Apart from this bush corridor, there are no large patches of bush between Mt Worth, Bunyip State Park and Wilsons Promontory. The woodlands provide diverse habitat for echidna, wallabies, reptiles, wildflowers and hold ancient specimens of Xanthorrhoea australi (grass trees). Habitat throughout Gippsland has become increasingly important due to the significant losses of 2020, through bushfire.
Woodlands of this quality are a real draw-card for people for passive recreation, citizen science and professional survey work. This whole bushland corridor encompasses several Nature Conservation Reserves including Adams Creek and The Gurdies. These areas could be linked to create a new National Park, as a gateway to bass coast from Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula: a drawcard for tourism and passive recreational activities that will support local economic, and state wide education and wellbeing for Victorians. A protected wildlife sanctuary, a centre for Indigenous culture and education, and complementary leisure activities such as walking, hiking, and mountain biking will support people with different interests.
It is government responsibility under law to protect land that has endangered species. The Department of Transport is actively looking for offsets for The Koo Wee Rup Bypass. Given the significant development that has taken place in Casey and Cardinia, protecting the Westernport woodlands is certainly practical and in the spirit of the offset system.
If the government’s stance is ‘no net loss of vegetation’, the Westernport Woodland Reserve, as an existing series of intact habitats, is obviously needed.
The Westernport Woodlands are significant ecologically, therefore protection of their flora and fauna needs to be an immediate priority. In addition, waste water and sediment pose significant risk to the health of Westernport Bay[3], a home for recreational fishers, sailors, divers, and penguin colonies, all of which attract significant tourism, economic and social wellbeing for Victorians.
This is an opportunity for our state government to show true leadership in line with the wishes of Victorians to protect our shrinking natural environment. Protective action now will preserve and protect this area for generations to come and is consistent with state government policy, including:
Value creation and capture framework[4], focuses on getting better value for Victorian taxpayers' money from all future infrastructure projects; In future, when building infrastructure or developing precincts, government will be: enabling economic opportunities, building green space, increasing community services, housing and education opportunities, and creating more value for the community than would otherwise be the case.
No Minister could justify unnecessary sandmining in a high significance area, which is not needed, and adds nothing to benefit the local community over enhancing planning protections that respond to community wishes, enhance wellbeing and natural green space (forest) and enable new economic opportunities.
As a concerned citizen, I urge you to take action to protect the Westernport Woodlands.
Yours sincerely
[1] Save Westernport Woodlands, Submission on the Draft Statement of Planning Policy, Bass Coast https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o1hyAc8K8ipb2KKefHFvebGQhbQI9bBA/view
[2] Victorian National Parks Association ,2021, Westernport Woodlands, Wildlife Corridor or Sand Pit?
[3] Professor Dick Wettenhall, Sand Mine Pollution Review https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xwK2iLNPVtkmAanb-cpZta3y4TSKuAS8/view
[4] https://www.vic.gov.au/value-creation-and-capture-framework, accessed October 2022
Please do a submission to the Bass Coast distinctive Area Landscape using the 5 minute DAL submission generator below.
Many of you have already completed very impressive submissions. For others it’s still on the To Do list.
If you need a little help to get started, completing this quick DAL submission generator will include your personal comments in a ready-to-go submission document asking for protection of the Western Port Woodlands.
You can add further comments and include a photo of yourself, preferably in the woodlands.
You’ll then be directed to the Engage Victoria site to upload your submission. Job done!
(And thanks to Gerard Drew who worked through Covid to master the intricacies of Google Forms and set up the submission generator.)
Many of you have already completed very impressive submissions. For others it’s still on the To Do list.
If you need a little help to get started, completing this quick DAL submission generator will include your personal comments in a ready-to-go submission document asking for protection of the Western Port Woodlands.
You can add further comments and include a photo of yourself, preferably in the woodlands.
You’ll then be directed to the Engage Victoria site to upload your submission. Job done!
(And thanks to Gerard Drew who worked through Covid to master the intricacies of Google Forms and set up the submission generator.)
21st June 2021
[email protected]
0425 707 448
I am writing on behalf of Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council to support Save Westernport Woodlands campaign to end sand-mining in Bass Coast’s rare coastal forests and woodlands.
Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council was founded 50 years ago in 1971. We are a volunteer-based not-for-profit environment group.
It is clear that for centuries to come, our state sand resource can be filled nearby, but outside of the woodland area, so it should be. It seems The State Government needs to reserve the woodland areas to keep in line with government environment policy. They need to get the sand trucks to drive ten or 20 minutes further sometimes.
We have been supportive of this campaign from its origins. It is impressive seeing the area on satellite maps. The entire east of Westernport has been cleared of most large patches of forest. Apart from this bush corridor, there are no large patches of bush between Mt Worth, Bunyip State Park and Wilsons Promontory. This whole bushland corridor encompasses several Nature Conservation Reserves including Adams Creek, and The Gurdies, and these could be included in a new National Park. It is the large bits of bush that provide the best habitat and best options for providing healthy recreation for a variety of user groups.
Habitat has become increasingly important with the bushfire losses of last summer increasing pressure on governments to provide additional protection.
There is evidence that this large bush area, made up of riparian forest and rare forest bog, is home to southern-brown bandicoot, long-nosed bandicoot, lead beaters possum, white-footed dunnart, powerful owl and growling grass frog. It is excellent habitat for echidna, wallabies, reptiles, wildflowers and has ancient specimens of baliskion grass trees. It is government responsibility under law to protect land that has endangered species. We understand that The Department of Transport are actively looking for offsets for The Koo Wee Rup Bypass. Such a lot of development has taken place in Casey and Cardinia so protecting The Westernport Woodlands is certainly practical and in the spirit of the Offset system.
WPPC worked on the No-AGL campaign and focused on the pipeline and became familiar with the growling-grass frog, southern brown bandicoot, swamp skink and southern Toadlet among others.
If the government’s stance is No Net Loss Of vegetation when you see the development in the South East of Melbourne and the loss of the habitat for these species, The Westernport Woodland Reserve is obviously needed.
It is impressive to see the area up close. We imagine it being a magnificent natural 'gateway' to the Bass Coast region for wildlife tourism from Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula. A protected wildlife sanctuary, a centre for indigenous culture and education, and for complementary leisure activities such as walking, hiking, and mountain biking. We enjoy coral fern, fragmities, tree fern, mixed eucalyptus, banksia and in-tact ground storey and many small birds. Bush of that quality will be a real draw-card for people, great for the local economy, and it demands new surveys.
The Westernport Woodlands are significant ecologically than Devilbend and therefore protection of the Flora and Fauna here needs to be the first and second priority and education and recreation third and fourth priority.
Seeing diversity lifts our spirits, reassures and excites us. That is fantastic at lowering our health budget and mental health budget. Healthy Parks Healthy People. It is the State Government’s rhetoric, the bigger the population (and Melbourne has grown by 3 million in the past 50 years), the more and bigger parks they need to provide.
Yours faithfully,
Karri Giles
Secretary
Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council
[email protected]
0425 707 448
I am writing on behalf of Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council to support Save Westernport Woodlands campaign to end sand-mining in Bass Coast’s rare coastal forests and woodlands.
Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council was founded 50 years ago in 1971. We are a volunteer-based not-for-profit environment group.
It is clear that for centuries to come, our state sand resource can be filled nearby, but outside of the woodland area, so it should be. It seems The State Government needs to reserve the woodland areas to keep in line with government environment policy. They need to get the sand trucks to drive ten or 20 minutes further sometimes.
We have been supportive of this campaign from its origins. It is impressive seeing the area on satellite maps. The entire east of Westernport has been cleared of most large patches of forest. Apart from this bush corridor, there are no large patches of bush between Mt Worth, Bunyip State Park and Wilsons Promontory. This whole bushland corridor encompasses several Nature Conservation Reserves including Adams Creek, and The Gurdies, and these could be included in a new National Park. It is the large bits of bush that provide the best habitat and best options for providing healthy recreation for a variety of user groups.
Habitat has become increasingly important with the bushfire losses of last summer increasing pressure on governments to provide additional protection.
There is evidence that this large bush area, made up of riparian forest and rare forest bog, is home to southern-brown bandicoot, long-nosed bandicoot, lead beaters possum, white-footed dunnart, powerful owl and growling grass frog. It is excellent habitat for echidna, wallabies, reptiles, wildflowers and has ancient specimens of baliskion grass trees. It is government responsibility under law to protect land that has endangered species. We understand that The Department of Transport are actively looking for offsets for The Koo Wee Rup Bypass. Such a lot of development has taken place in Casey and Cardinia so protecting The Westernport Woodlands is certainly practical and in the spirit of the Offset system.
WPPC worked on the No-AGL campaign and focused on the pipeline and became familiar with the growling-grass frog, southern brown bandicoot, swamp skink and southern Toadlet among others.
If the government’s stance is No Net Loss Of vegetation when you see the development in the South East of Melbourne and the loss of the habitat for these species, The Westernport Woodland Reserve is obviously needed.
It is impressive to see the area up close. We imagine it being a magnificent natural 'gateway' to the Bass Coast region for wildlife tourism from Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula. A protected wildlife sanctuary, a centre for indigenous culture and education, and for complementary leisure activities such as walking, hiking, and mountain biking. We enjoy coral fern, fragmities, tree fern, mixed eucalyptus, banksia and in-tact ground storey and many small birds. Bush of that quality will be a real draw-card for people, great for the local economy, and it demands new surveys.
The Westernport Woodlands are significant ecologically than Devilbend and therefore protection of the Flora and Fauna here needs to be the first and second priority and education and recreation third and fourth priority.
Seeing diversity lifts our spirits, reassures and excites us. That is fantastic at lowering our health budget and mental health budget. Healthy Parks Healthy People. It is the State Government’s rhetoric, the bigger the population (and Melbourne has grown by 3 million in the past 50 years), the more and bigger parks they need to provide.
Yours faithfully,
Karri Giles
Secretary
Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council
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