CONSERVATIONISTS and community groups have drawn up a plan to protect Western Port from “inappropriate industrialisation and development, pollution and climate disruption”.
Western Port is the state’s second largest bay and an internationally recognised Ramsar wetland.
Groups behind the proposal – the Victorian National Parks Association, Western Port Biosphere Foundation, Save Westernport, Phillip Island Conservation Society and Environment Victoria – want all political parties to back their Strategic Framework for the future of Western Port ahead of the Saturday 26 November state election.
The groups say the quality of water flowing into Western Port from five of its nine estuaries is rated “very poor”.
Changes to land use has led to rivers are “increasingly carrying more pollution into the bay” and pressure on natural systems will only increase with the population of the Western Port catchment expected to double in the next 20 years.
The decline of schnapper and waterbird numbers “is a sign that the bay needs a new vision in order to thrive”.
“For too long Western Port has been the poor cousin of Port Phillip – that’s why it’s so important all political parties and candidates back this new protection plan, VNPA campaigner Shannon Hurley said.
“Western Port’s health is severely declining, and the structures in place to protect this biodiversity hot spot cannot keep up with the level of threat.
“An ironclad commitment from all potential governments would guarantee the future of this precious ecosystem and its Ramsar-listed wetlands.”
Save Westernport vice-president Jane Carnegie said Western Port had “three to four times the marine life found in Port Phillip”, including the world’s largest colonies of little penguins, short-tailed shearwaters and Australian fur seal”.
Julia Stockigt, also of Save Westernport, said the success of businesses “and a thriving regional tourist economy” relied on the local environment and the reputation of a healthy bay.
The groups say their plan to protect Western Port comes 18 months after a community campaign convinced the state government to block AGL’s plan to establish a gas import terminal at Crib Point.
If adopted, the strategic framework would:
- Bring together traditional custodians, community representatives, government agencies, councils, local businesses and industries, fishing and recreational group to develop and oversee the plan.
- Establish a dedicated Western Port fund with annual finance at least equivalent to that being spent in Port Phillip.
“The Western Port Biosphere Foundation’s purpose is to advocate for planning and projects that enable communities to develop and live sustainably while protecting the environment that contributes so much to the lifestyle and prosperity enjoyed by residents and visitors to the biosphere reserve,” biosphere CEO Mel Barker said.
“A comprehensive and scientifically supported plan for Western Port is essential to taking action on climate and maintaining the region’s rich biodiversity, while promoting a healthy lifestyle and creating new opportunities and jobs.”
For details about the framework go to actforwesternportbay.au. Groups, businesses and individuals can also sign up to support it at the website.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 October 2022
