Cyclists hit the road for mental health awareness TO raise much-needed money to support mental health, Mornington Peninsula cyclists with the Ride for Relief team left for Mallacoota yesterday to enjoy some pampering before the ride. The group will be enjoying a pre-opening dining and bathing experience at the soon to be open Metung Hot Springs, where they will be able to relax in geothermal waters and take on breathtaking views across the Gippsland Lakes.
The riders are preparing to ride across Victoria as part of a fundraising mission, and hope to build on the success of past Ride for Relief events. This year’s ride will be a six-day tour option, in addition to the one-day ride. The group will travel across half of Victoria exploring the emerging bathing destinations in Metung, Traralgon and Phillip Island along their route back to the Peninsula Hot Springs.
.All money raised goes directly to Mentis Assist, a community, not-for-profit mental health support service that provides specialised mental health services for people living with severe mental illness in and outside the Mornington Peninsula. To donate, go to the group’s website at https:// rideforrelief.grassrootz.com/
Esso apply for generator licence ESSO Australia has applied for a development licence to build three power generators on Bayview Road, Hastings. According to the application, production of LPG is declining and with it the levels of excess ethane being produced. Esso anticipates the power generation plants would only be required until 2033. The energy giant’s application to the Environment Protection Authority states the three generators will be built on Bayview Rd, Hastings, next to the Esso liquid petroleum gas processing plant and using the excess ethane gas by-product of the LPG manufacturing process to fuel the generators. The EPA says it will assess the application based on the potential impacts to the local environment and community including noise, water and air quality as well as what ongoing monitoring would be required to ensure all necessary criteria continue to be met, if the application is successful.
But some residents are concerned what impact the generators would have on air quality, and are asking for more information on Esso’s plans to mitigate and monitor the release of chemicals. A Crib Point resident said on some days when there is a northerly wind, he can sometimes smell a ‘burning tyre’ odour from Esso’s LPG plant. “My main concern is air quality, so I would advise people to read this thoroughly to find out what’s happening,” he said. “There is only 20 days left to put in a submission, so there isn’t much time.” Pollutants expected to be nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, Particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and volatile compounds. The Long Island Point Fractionation Plant Oil currently operates for processing natural gas liquids ethane, propane and butane to LPG for distribution locally and internationally. The ethane by-product of this process has, for many years, been sent through a pipeline to
a customer in Altona for plastics manufacture. However, if the customer is unable to accept the ethane, in some circumstances this can lead to Esso curtailing natural gas supply to reduce the production of these gas liquids, which in turn would impact the supply of natural gas to Victoria. According to the application, generating power from ethane would enable Esso to safely and reliably utilise undersubscribed ethane, thus avoiding the need to flare this gas at Long Island Point or reduce natural gas production for the south east Australian gas market. An Esso spokesperson said that to improve community and environmental outcomes, it had identified an alternative for managing excess ethane which would benefit the community and have minimal impact. To find out more and to have your opportunity to contribute, go to www.epa.vic.gov.au/esso-pty-ltd Public submissions will be accepted until 13 April, 2022.
Flinders commit to net zero by 2030 MEMBERS of the Flinders Zero Carbon Community proudly attended the unveiling of the new town entry signs on Friday, which are part of the move to net zero emissions by 2030. Spokesperson Mark Aarons said Flinders Zero Carbon Community was a group of volunteer community members taking local action to make a difference to climate change. FZCC formed as a sub-committee of the Flinders Community Association in early 2021 to promote action at a grass-roots level. Its mission is to support Flinders to reach net zero energy and net zero emissions by 2030, and to see a future where all the energy Flinders needs is obtained from wholly renewable sources. Mr Aarons said the group had four main goals - to take actions to address climate change, to inform and educate the Flinders community on climate issues and promote positive solutions, to inform and support the local community to take responsibility for climate action, and finally to join with other like-minded groups to share knowledge, learn and support widespread change. Promoted actions will include electrifying everything, encouraging rooftop solar uptake, community battery installation and regenerative farming, including tree planting. The zero carbon signs were installed under the three Flinders town entry signs on Friday, with Cr David Gill attending. Installation of the signs, as well as other work of the group are supported by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and another important volunteer group called eMPower. Flinders is the first satellite community as part of a future decarbonisation and renewables energy network in the shire. Flinders Zero Carbon Community’s next planned event is on Easter Saturday 16 April, and will focus on providing information on electric cars from a well-known expert. More information can be found on their Facebook page: Flinders Zero Carbon Community.
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23 March 2022
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