we need our elected representatives to back our vision for a healthy western port bay and implement it in this term of government.
The Problem
THE HEALTH OF WESTERN PORT BAY is deteriorating
The Cranbourne-Pakenham area is experiencing a rapid urban expansion. The population of the Western Port catchment is expected to double in the next 20 years alone, placing even more pressure on nature.
Western Port has a serious water quality problem, with five of the nine estuaries flowing into Western Port rated as “very poor”. Substantial land use changes mean local rivers are carrying more pollution into the Bay.
The decline of snapper and waterbirds in Western Port Bay is a clear signal that the Bay needs a new vision in order to thrive.
The status quo is not working
Over time, various legislation and policies have been developed to manage the challenges facing Western Port.
This fragmented approach makes it difficult to make decisons with the health of the whole bay in mind. It has also meant that valuable community voices, experience and knowledge has been excluded from decision-making.
Despite best intentions, Western Port Bay has seen inconsistent planning, inadequate oversight and monitoring, poor accountability and governance, with inappropriate projects consistently being proposed.
Now is the time for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the way we plan for the future wellbeing of the Bay.
A Future Free of inappropriate development and pollution
Western Port has long been under pressure from damaging industrial development.
Local communities and businesses are fed up with the endless stream of inappropriate proposals for Western Port Bay.
Opposition to AGL’s recent gas import terminal demonstrates the groundswell of care and passion to protect Western Port Bay from risky industrial threats. Over 10,000 submissions were made opposing AGL’s project – the largest number received in history.
Local communities have clear ambitions for the Bay area: a local green economy and secure jobs in industries that support and value Western Port’s unique environment, not destroy it.
This vision includes tourism and hospitality, recreation, viticulture, wind and solar energy, and nature restoration projects.
image: Crib Point Jerry, VNPA image
image: Spoonbill and Igret
image: Gas important terminal, Hoegh and Engie