Heated words for fire ‘spectators’ AN artist’s impression of how AGL’s floating gas terminal and infrastructure will look if given the go ahead at Crib Point. The photo is reproduced from the AGL website.
Extra hurdle for AGL’s gas plan POWER company AGL is now being called on by both the state and federal governments to provide further details about likely impacts of the floating gas import terminal it wants to operate at Crib Point. The Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy has stated that the proposed AGL processing terminal and pipeline from Crib Point to Pakenham was considered a “controlled action” requiring assessment and approval under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The decision followed letters from residents to Environment Minister Melissa Price detailing their concerns about AGL’s plans. The process will now require AGL and pipeline operator APA to provide more information, including an environmental impact statement (EIS) detailing likely hazards to Western Port and its endangered species and how these
would be dealt with. The final scoping requirements will be made public with an EES consultation plan for the public in 2019. The federal government’s decision followed the state government's announcement on 26 November that public comments are now open on the draft scoping requirements for the environmental effects statement (EES). The 29-page draft scoping requirements report details matters that will be investigated and documented in the EES for the gas terminal and pipeline. Community group Save Westernport welcomed the state and federal governments’ demands for AGL to provide greater detail about what it terms the project’s “many hazards, including the potential health and safety risks to Crib Point residents”. “In light of AGL’s poor track record, people are extremely concerned about the project
and believe its many risks cannot be justified,” Save Westernport member Julia Stockigt said. “They want to know that this project will not be allowed to degrade the marine ecosystems of Western Port that provide so much benefit and sustain local recreation, fishing and aquaculture businesses that rely on a healthy bay.” Save Westernport is urging members of the public to send submissions to environment. assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au by 5pm on 19 December. To read the draft scoping requirements for the EES go to Savewesternport.org AGL and APA have organised a “community drop in session” 7.30-9.30 tonight at Hastings Hall, High Street, Hastings to provide details of the EES process. The session will be attended by representatives from AGL, APA and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). Keith Platt
SIGHTSEERS – some wearing shorts, t-shirts and thongs – were an unwelcome distraction for firefighters battling a blaze near a vacant property on the corner of Forest Drive and Hearn Road, Saturday 1 December. The fire was near the camp at the Joseph Harris Scout Park – an area rated extreme in a Mornington Peninsula Shire Council assessment of bushfire prone areas on the peninsula. Captain Travis Hutchins said the Mt Martha brigade was called to a “large column of smoke” about 5.30pm. Access was difficult for the larger vehicles and the brigade responded with several ultra-light tankers and other appliances. “Due to the terrain, vegetation and the wind, air support was requested which included an Erickson air crane,” Captain Hutchins said. “The air crane drew water from the bay and delivered it to the head of the fire. Crews took three hours to bring the blaze under control and Mt Martha crews did not leave the site until 1.30am.” Captain Hutchins said the poorly attired sightseers, oblivious to the danger, had put themselves at risk on two fronts: shorts, t-shirts and thongs will not give adequate protection in a bushfire, while the air crane can carry up to 9000 litres – nine tonnes – of water. “What would have happened to any of these inquisitive locals if they had been caught under the deluge from the helicopter?” Captain Hutchins said. “Firefighters are distracted from the job of fighting a fire when they have to protect spectators taking photographs. People put themselves at an extreme risk by walking into bushland when an active fire is occurring.” Captain Hutchins said the brigade recently doorknocked houses in the area to encourage residents to draw up a bushfire plan. “Those interested in volunteering can contact the brigade via our Facebook page or call at the station, at 6 Latrobe Drive, Mt Martha, any Sunday morning,” he said.
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wholemedicine.com.au Southern Peninsula News 12 December 2018
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