Letters
Thursday 22 May 2014
was founded in order to promote accountability, transparency, and a community consultative approach within firstly the local government, then state and federal governing bodies. What we do oppose is having vested interests and the state government ignoring the wishes of the community and the council, and forcing inappropriate development onto this community. We are opposed to the 2040 consultative process being ignored; we are opposed to developers and large organisations taking this community and the council to VCAT in order to force through self-interested projects against the wishes of the community; we are opposed to vested interests interfering with our council process by attacking the credibility and independence of our duly elected representatives on the council and we are opposed to a planning minister calling in planning applications so that they avoid all public debate and scrutiny. Finally, I would like to invite Ms Wilson to join the 3228RA. We are a broad organisation that holds a breadth of opinions and ideals. All who hail from this postcode are welcome regardless of political persuasion, attitude towards development, or any of the many contentious issues that confront this community. All you need to do is provide us with proof that you are in fact a resident of the community and pay your fees. You will be required to observe the charter of the organisation and work towards true community consultation. You can find us on Facebook or at our website 3228ra.org. Sid Pope President 3228RA
More support needed Dear Editor, I write on behalf of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia to ask your readers to become aware it is time we all took more action to support people
who have Schizophrenia. It is Australia’s last “big undiscussable illness�. The simple fact is that it is very misunderstood and affects up to one million Australians. We want to make readers aware that there is an important free service that can support people in your area. This free service is for people living with mental illness and their carers and family members, to help them find the support they need. The initiative is called “MiNetworks� and local people in your area will be referred to the information and services they need by simply calling 1800 985 944. You can also go to minetworks.org.au. It is astonishing how much stigma there is around schizophrenia in the community. Many think it is scary, hopeless, violent and untreatable. That is simply inaccurate. schizophrenia is a mental health condition. It can be managed. People with schizophrenia do not have a “split personality�. They have one personality like everyone else. We ask people to lobby local politicians and demand better services and more funding to support people with mental illness. It is very disturbing to know that only about half the people affected by schizophrenia are even accessing clinical assistance. In regional areas, services to support people are – at best – sparse. National Schizophrenia Awareness Week ran from May 11. Schizophrenia is a common illness. It is treatable. Recovery and a good quality of life is possible for most people. Anyone wanting more information should go to mifa.org.au. I want to specifically pay tribute to all the people in your local area supporting people with mental health issues. The amazing and vital work of carers must be applauded by us all. David Meldrum Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia chief executive officer
Why shut it down? Dear Editor, The Surf Coast Air Action (SCAA) group calls to shut down the Anglesea Power Station are more about individual wants than the environment. The station has the lowest greenhouse gas emission intensity and is the most efficient coal fired unit in the state. It is fitted with an air quality management system, which unlike scrubbing systems reduces exposure to all emissions and is one of few units able to prove it meets all requirements set by the EPA. In fact, one of biggest contributors to poor local air quality is household wood heater emissions. It’s likely the average person has more to fear from vehicle emissions when crossing the street. The mine and power station’s fire systems and trained personal provided refuge during the Ash Wednesday fires. The Anglesea township protection plan 2009 states the coalmine to the north west provides an extensive fire break. Independent investigations into health and environmental impacts show the operation is safe and supports the heath of the Anglesea River. Accusations that school children are at risk questions the diligence of the EPA, the shire and the Education Department, who approached the power station for use of the land to build a school. The Surf Coast Air Action group alarm and mislead the community using unrelated data with intent to shut down the station which directly employees 83 people. Posting signage and internet images falsely depicting a “polluted� town is damaging to tourist flow and is inconsiderate to local business. We all agree a renewable future is ideal but with wind farms only generating 30-40 per cent of rated capacity they need back-up generation and the Anglesea station has infrastructure well placed to integrate and support future renewable power. Scott Torquay
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The opinions expressed here are the opinions of the letter writers exclusively and do not express the views of the Editor or Surf Coast News Pty Ltd. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to the Surf Coast Times and Bellarine Times by writing to PO Box 714, Torquay, Vic, 3228 or email: editor@surfcoasttimes. com.au or fax: 5264 8413. Your letters should not exceed 250 words. Please provide your name, address and telephone number, which may be withheld from publication on request. As publication space is limited we may not be able to publish all letters received. We also reserve the right to edit letters that we publish.
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