Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
No Surprises In Minister’s Desal Decision The State Government has given the green light to Victoria’s Desalination Plant despite strong opposition from the Bass Coast community. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 16th January 2009 - Back to News Bass Coast Mayor, Cr John Duscher, said the announcement did not come as a surprise.
"The community will be very disappointed with this decision," said Cr Duscher.
"Council has formally opposed the desalination project and is also disappointed.
"Given the limited terms of reference of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and Inquiry, we are not surprised that the Minister has approved the project."
Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said council officers were still working through the 400 pages of the EES Assessment and Inquiry Report.
"The Inquiry and The Minister have acknowledged the key concerns of Council and the community," Mr Bawden admitted.
"However, based on our preliminary reading of the documents, the report is light on details on how these concerns might be addressed.
"It is vital that the Government now commits to a new era of co-operation and consultation to ensure this project does not negatively impact on the Bass Coast community and environment."
Key concerns
Mr Bawden said the Desalination Project Assessment released by the Minister did not provide a great deal of assurance.
"The recommendations and approvals are based on concept designs, which has made it difficult for everyone including the Inquiry to assess," explained Mr Bawden.
"Translating that concept into a reality will require extremely good design and construction.
"In many instances, the successful tenderer for the project is not obliged to build to direct specifications or meet clearly defined targets," continued Mr Bawden.
"An exceptionally good monitoring system will be necessary to give the community confidence that the desalination plant is being built to the various approvals.
"This makes the role of an independent auditor in this project extremely important."
The Assessment recommended a range of measures to address the social and economic impacts. These included developing an Accommodation Strategy, establishing a Regional Impact Fund and augmenting or complementing existing services and facilities in health, education and emergency services.
"We certainly welcome these recommendations, as they directly address the concerns raised by Council in our EES submission," said Mr Bawden.
"However, we would like to have seen these as requirements and call on the Government to commit to these recommendations.
"It would go a long way to helping build community confidence if the Government made that assurance."
The Assessment contained no firm commitment to dealing with the impact of the desalination plant on local roads.
"Council is disappointed that the Minister did not accept the Inquiry recommendation to conduct pre and post road condition surveys or undertaken restitution measures," Mr Bawden said.
"Our community will be severely disadvantaged if there isn’t significant contribution from the project company or State Government to maintain and repair local roads affected by the construction and operation of the plant.
"We need a firm commitment to work with Council to deal with the degradation of our local roads."
While Mr Bawden welcomed the news that the option to build an onsite gas fired power station had been rejected, there were still major concerns about the electrical power supply.
"The Inquiry and the Minister’s assessment concluded that both overhead and underground power supplies were viable options," explained Mr Bawden.
"Unfortunately the recommendations did not favour one option over the other.
"This means the important decision of whether to install underground or overhead powerlines will be at the discretion of the successful tenderer," continued Mr Bawden.
"Council is extremely disappointed that the Inquiry did not recommend the undergrounding of power, given the impact powerlines will have on tourism, landscaping and agriculture."
The unavoidable environmental effects of desalination on the marine environment have been acknowledged by the Government.
"The environmental impact is not one of Council’s key areas of expertise, however we are pleased that the Government has called for continued surveying and monitoring of the environmental impact," said Mr Bawden.
"We look forward to hearing the response of key environmental groups to the Minister’s assessment.
"The community needs to be satisfied that the monitoring is rigorous enough to effectively measure the actual impact of the desalination plant on marine life."
Cr Duscher called on the Government to support the Bass Coast community in dealing with this project.
"It is now important for the Government to work in close co-operation with Council and the community to ensure that construction works do not disrupt community life," said Cr Duscher.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3. - State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection. - Statement from CEO Tilla Buden - Councillor Ben Lucas to contest Victorian state election
West Ward Councillor Ben Lucas will contest the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. He plans to seek leave from Council, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure Council operations and procedures continue during his absence. - Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets. - Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028. - Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost. - Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi. - Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland. - Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community feedback on draft policy to strengthen engagement and decision-making until 21 October 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council is seeking feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy to strengthen participation, clarify engagement expectations and ensure community input informs council decision-making. Submissions close 21 October 2026. - Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere. - Bass Coast offers free green waste disposal from 31 October to 22 November to help residents prepare for bushfire season
Bass Coast Shire Council will accept domestic green waste free at its four waste facilities from 31 October to 22 November 2026, helping residents reduce bushfire hazards before summer. - Free green waste disposal helps East Gippsland residents prepare properties for upcoming bushfire season from 1 to 30 November 2026
East Gippsland residents can dispose of eligible green waste free throughout November to reduce bushfire risks. Council also encourages safe gas bottle disposal and separating green waste from general rubbish to save fees. - Free green waste disposal at South Gippsland transfer stations and other council updates
South Gippsland Shire Council’s latest updates cover free green waste disposal, road maintenance, summer fire preparation, community events, bird flu advice, swimming pool feedback, energy planning and local opportunities. - Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley. - Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community achievements and strong financial performance across the region
Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community events, environmental initiatives and financial achievements, including new trails, bike facilities and more than 369,000 native plants. - Wellington Shire no-fee green waste disposal returns to support community preparedness on 17 October to 15 November 2026
Wellington Shire free green waste disposal program returns October 17, helping residents reduce bushfire risks before summer, with extended access available at Loch Sport until November 30. - Farmers denied refunds despite biosecurity overcharging and government cost recovery surplus
DAFF will not refund farmers despite collecting $26 million in excess biosecurity fees between 2024 and 2026. An Auditor-General report identified cost recovery management failures, prompting calls for greater transparency and fairer charges.
|
|
