Minister Justin Madden has given the go-ahead for the breakwater proposal, despite the Inquiry Panel releasing findings that are damming of the proposal.  The Minister’s decision and the Inquiry report can be found on the DSE website .

Only twice in Victoria’s history has an independent panel found in favour of a community group rather than a development proposal.

The Save Bastion Point Campaign is shocked and outraged that the government has ignored the open Inquiry it has promised.  Click here for the SBPC Media Release.

The Minister’s press release can be found at Madden Press Release.

The Inquiry did not recommend any of the East Gippsland Council proposed options.  It had serious concerns with safety and long term usage of the Option 3 proposal.  It found that the proposal had poor economic indicators, and was likely to lead to the long term detriment of Mallacoota’s tourism potential.  The Inquiry recommended that the Council’s proposed development offered no overall societal benefit, and that an upgrade of the existing ramp and parking be undertaken.

It is imperative that we keep politicians aware of the strong community opposition to the proposed development and all its associated problems. Read our suggestions of what to write and to whom.

Road on the beach, inquiry hearing, political lobbying… read more…update no 12

The Inquiry was held over a marathon 3 weeks, ending on August 5. We can be proud of the community effort - both at Mallacoota and Melbourne.

Read the Save Bastion Point Campaign’s opening address and the closing submissions.

A series of letters appearing in the Bairnsdale Advertiser on 28th of September expressing support for Linette Treasure and outrage at East Gippsland Shire expenditure on the Bastion Point Development - a travesty of democracy. Bairnsdale Advertiser. 28th Sept 2007 Letters

On 4th September 2007, elders and other representatives of the Bidwal and Monaro (Aboriginal groups with a specific interest and relationship to Bastion Point), along with Yuin, Gunai/ Kurnai, Yorta Yorta, Bunurong and Wurrunjeri peoples, met in Mallacoota with local residents.

This inaugural meeting was regarded as a significant and historical gathering because it was the first time that members of all these Aboriginal groups, and residents of Mallacoota, had come together to discuss and agree on one issue.

The Aboriginal elders and representatives were united in their opposition to the proposed development. They agreed to oppose this development as a collective group, together with the residents of Mallacoota who are also against the development.

A letter stating their opposition to the Council’s proposed development was subsequently written and sent to all relevant Ministers in Parliament, and to the East Gippsland Shire Council.

ALERT! The Ocean Access Bastion Point EES is on exhibition for public comment. Please write a submission opposing this development by 5pm, Monday, 16 July 2007. For your information see EES, Campaign Update and Submission Writing Kit. Please also join our SURFER AND BEACH USER RALLY. Meet at Federation Square, 10am Fri 8^th June to walk to Parliament House. Wear wetsuit or beach gear, carry a surfboard!

Save Bastion Point Campaigners Tim Frazer and James Thyer will be giving a talk at the Sustainable Living Festival on Friday 16th February at 12.25 – 12.55pm in the festival’s Think tent. Get along to support the discussion on appropriate sustainable development for Bastion Point.

The Far East Gippsland Branch of the Surfrider Foundation Australia has successfully raffled a second surfboard to raise awareness and funds for the Save Bastion Point Campaign. The latest raffle was drawn at the 01/02/2006 club meeting. The 1st prize OKE surfboard and cover was won by Julian Counsel of Melbourne. 2nd prize of T-shirt, board shorts and leg rope went to Kym Haasz of Hawthorn, and 3rd prize of T-shirt, board shorts and leg rope was won by Trudy Reichelt of Mallacoota. The Mallacoota Surfriders would like to thank all those people that brought tickets. Proceeds go to a range of club activities. The Club would like to thank the sponsors OKE Surfboards and The Surf Shack for their generous prizes.

A pod of dolphins arrived to swim with local surfers, beach-goers walked to Bastion Point, locals prepared a BBQ – supporters came to share in the collective spirit that was the Bastion Point Blow-up, a Save Bastion Point campaign event, on Saturday 8th October.