Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
EES Under ScrutinyThe release of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Victorian Desalination Project has not changed Bass Coast Shire Council’s opposition to the proposed plant. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 27th August 2008 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said it was no surprise that the Government were saying there would be no long-term or irreversible damage to the environment.
"On initial inspection, the findings of the EES certainly do not appear to impede the Government’s decision to build a desalination plant," said Mr Bawden.
"We will be undertaking a detailed study of the report. The EES is a very large document, over 1,600 pages, and we have had a copy for less than 24 hours.
"Council will be looking closely at the report’s assessment of the impact on the local and marine environment," continued Mr Bawden.
"The assessment of the social and economic impact on our region is also of great interest to us."
Mr Bawden said the Bass Coast community were very concerned about these aspects of the project and it was important to ensure the findings are accurate.
"Council intend to make a detailed submission in response to the EES," confirmed Mr Bawden.
"We will be seeking expert advice on the technical reports and making sure that any aspect of the EES that doesn’t adequately address our concerns will be presented at the independent panel hearings that are part of the ongoing EES process."
Bass Coast Shire Council is calling on the community to get involved in the EES process.
"It is very important that community members make submissions," said Mr Bawden.
"We are also calling on members of the community who have expertise in any technical area covered by the EES to meet with Council and assist us with our assessment."
Council has called on the State Government to roll out a consultation program to assist the community to understand the EES and how to respond to it.
The EES report consists of five key components, as well as 11 volumes of technical reports. The structure of the report covers:
- Marine structures
- Desalination plant
- Water transfer pipeline
- Power supply
- Whole of project assessment
"We will be looking closely at the report on the plant sizing, including the visual impact and architectural and landscape performance requirements, such as building height, vegetation buffers, lighting etc," said Mr Bawden.
"We will also be closely inspecting the section relating to the power supply for the plant.
"Council has already made it clear that any power supply option must have underground transmission lines for the entire route within Bass Coast.
"It appears that the only power supply option that has been fully assessed by the EES is based around the North to South grid connection, with 200KV overhead transmission lines.
"This means it is highly likely to be the option adopted by the company that wins the tender to build the plant, which is a major concern," said Mr Bawden.
Mr Bawden said Bass Coast’s initial concerns about the scope of the EES still remain.
"There were a number of things excluded from investigation which Council and the community still feel need to be addressed," said Mr Bawden.
"The State Government has never provided information to justify why desalination was chosen as a major part of the Government’s Water plan.
"There has also been no investigation into alternative sitings or technology for the desalination project."
A hard copy of the EES is on display at the Bass Coast Civic Centre, 76 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi.
Hard copies of the EES are also on display the Desalination Project Office in Wonthaggi. Office hours at the Project Office have been extended to five days a week during the exhibition period. Copies are also available on CD and on line at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au. Hard copies can be purchased from the DSE Desalination Project Team by phoning 1800 811 214 or 5671 3900, or by emailing desalination.project@dse.vic.gov.au.
Closing date for written submissions is 5pm on 30 September 2008.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Bass Coast Christmas Giving Trees set up to support local families in need this festive season
Bass Coast Shire Council’s Christmas Giving Trees are collecting gifts, gift cards, and food to support local families, with donations accepted at Customer Service Centres until early December. - South Gippsland Shire Council congratulates the nominees and winners of 2026 South Gippsland Australia Day Awards and other updates
South Gippsland celebrated the 2026 Australia Day Awards at Meeniyan Hall, recognising outstanding citizens, youth, and community events, with winners Valerie Wilson, Erica Begg, Rhiannon Rawlins, and Loch Food and Wine Festival. - Kickstart your career locally with Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2026 Traineeship Program send applications by 26 January 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2026 Traineeship Program offers young people and career returners real-world experience, Certificate III qualifications, flexible work, and pathways to permanent roles across seven diverse disciplines. - Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection. - Melina Bath warns rising crime under Labor threatens community safety, as offences increase, calling for stronger police support and tougher laws
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath warns crime rose 12.7% to 640,860 under Labor, with reduced police funding and station hours leaving Victorians unsafe, calling for stronger laws and police support. - Albanese government’s plan undermines veterans’ rights and attacks defence honours tribunal independence
Albanese Government’s proposed changes to the Defence honours appeal system would restrict veterans’ rights, weaken Tribunal independence, and impose strict time limits on recognition of service, drawing strong backlash and Coalition opposition. - Martin Cameron criticises stalled Traralgon underpass, urges overpass alternative for delayed pedestrian safety project
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises nearly three-year delay on Traralgon underpass, urging government to clarify plans or consider a safer overpass for students and pedestrians crossing the train line. - Crime in Victoria surges to record highs under Allan Labor, leaving communities less safe, says Tim Bull
Crime in Victoria has reached record levels under the Allan Labor government, with rising offences and family violence, police under-resourced, and weakened laws leaving communities increasingly unsafe, says Tim Bull. - Martin Cameron says community safety has declined under Labor amid rising crime and 1500 Victoria Police vacancies
Nationals and Liberals pledge 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and restored station hours under Safer Communities Plan, addressing regional crime concerns, vacancies, and policing shortages across Latrobe Valley. - Bass Coast Council releases Draft Budget 2026-27, inviting community feedback until 8 May 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council released its Draft Budget 2026-27 for consultation, outlining services and infrastructure plans, with community feedback sessions scheduled and submissions open until May 8, 2026. - Bass Coast Council releases first Q1 2025-26 Performance Report, highlighting progress, finances, and key Council Plan achievements
Bass Coast Shire Council’s first Q1 2025-26 Performance Report highlights strong progress on the Council Plan, financial surplus, capital projects, strategic documents, and community initiatives, reflecting transparency and good governance. - Baw Baw Shire Council releases 2024/25 Annual Report highlighting growth, major projects and community achievements
Baw Baw Shire Council’s 2024/25 Annual Report highlights population growth, major projects, community grants, infrastructure upgrades, and continued focus on sustainable, connected, and thriving local communities. - Victorian Agency for Health Information data shows ambulance services declining due to Labor's under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial
The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government. - East Gippsland Council and farmers welcome the $2.75M boost for feral pig control under the Victorian government's Protecting Biodiversity program
East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities. - Melina Bath demands Allan government release clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment stages
Melina Bath demands the Allan government release a clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital Stages 2 and 3, warning delays leave healthcare workers overburdened and residents facing escalating patient demand. - Tim Bull claims Environment Minister misled contractors, as DEECA contracts may reduce existing external panel work
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull accused the Allan Labor Government of cutting fire mitigation work for contractors, misleading them on funding, and failing to maintain promised work volumes across East Gippsland. - Tribunal warns Albanese government's bill removes veterans' rights to review bravery awards and undermines Defence Honours system integrity
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season. - Darren Chester urges immediate European Carp control virus release by 2028 to protect Australian waterways
Darren Chester urges urgent action against European carp, supporting the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s push to release the carp herpes virus by 2028 to protect waterways and native biodiversity. - Bass Coast Sustainability Festival 2026 celebrates community creativity, and environmental care at Blue Gum Reserve, Cowes on 7 March 2026
The 2026 Bass Coast Sustainability Festival at Blue Gum Reserve, Cowes, celebrates community, creativity, and environmental care with workshops, live music, stalls, food, and special guest Craig Reucassell. - Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention. - Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads. - Melina Bath statement wishes year 12 students across Eastern Victoria success in exams and future endeavours
Melina Bath wishes all Year 12 students in eastern Victoria good luck for exams, encouraging pride in achievements, resilience, and success in future studies, work, or apprenticeships. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs. - Bass Coast Shire Council joins Victorian councils urging review of mandatory separate kerbside glass recycling bin policy
Bass Coast Council joins 35 Victorian councils urging the State Government to review mandatory glass recycling bins, seeking flexibility, transparency, cost-effectiveness and alignment with existing Container Deposit Scheme initiatives. - Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture. - Bass Coast celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with events, workshops, performances and community connection
The Victorian Seniors Festival returns to Bass Coast this October with the theme Connect, Create, Celebrate, offering workshops, performances, games, tours, and free transport for Seniors Card holders. - Bass Coast Council leaders advocating events, infrastructure, recreation, coastal protection, public transport, and environmental conservation
Bass Coast Council leaders held 12 Parliament meetings, advocating for events, infrastructure, recreation, coastal protection, public transport, and environmental conservation, seeking government support and funding for key community projects. - Wellington Shire Council responds to AKD Yarram closure, pledges support for 73 affected workers and community
Wellington Shire Council expressed heartbreak over AKD Yarram’s closure, impacting 73 employees, pledging support, advocating state assistance, and encouraging redeployment and economic opportunities to sustain the community. - Bass Coast Shire Council Draft Dogs in Public Places Guidelines community consultations open until 13 May 2026
Bass Coast Council has released Draft Dogs in Public Places Guidelines for consultation, supporting the Domestic Animal Management Plan with feedback open until 13 May 2026 to improve dog management. - Victorian government confirms Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will remain at Phillip Island with ongoing event support
Bass Coast Council welcomes Victorian Government confirming Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will stay at Phillip Island, rejecting Albert Park move, ensuring ongoing funding, supporting tourism, jobs, and regional community benefits beyond 2026. - Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity amid Labor’s mismanaged renewable energy transition
Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity as Labor mismanages the renewable energy transition, delaying projects, electricity reliability, raising prices, causing gas shortages, and threatening jobs and households. - Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum. - Tim Bull warns Victorian government policies leave record fuel loads, risking another mega-fire
Tim Bull warns Victorian government’s reduced fuel reduction policies and record bushfire fuel loads are creating conditions for another mega-fire, urging urgent action to protect communities and support firefighters’ efforts. - DEECA invites landcare groups to apply for Victorian government grants with $3.55M in total by 23 April 2026
Victorian Landcare Grants offer $3.55 million to support environmental volunteers, funding projects up to $20,000 that protect nature, restore habitats, and connect communities. Applications close 23 April 2026. - Latrobe City urges the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety urgent activation of Traralgon Bank Street and Princes Highway traffic lights
Latrobe City Council urges Victorian Ministers to urgently activate the Bank Street–Princes Highway traffic lights in Traralgon, addressing safety concerns after completed works remain non-operational since 2018.
|
|
