After our Campaign brought to East Gippsland Shire Council’s attention the major mistakes in the Buchan Report on Bastion Point economics, the consultants have released a revised report.  The consultants have corrected for the $2.8 million annual mistake, which has been labelled by Council as ‘an anomaly’. Read our Media Release on the revised Buchan report, and see the one page Economists at Large response and our 10 point summary of the where the revised Buchan report still doesn’t add up. According to the Council  Media Release, Buchan reduced their calculated benefit cost ratio to 1.6 – this is a quarter of that previously advised as it falls from 6.4 to 1.6. It has now been confirmed that the original version of this report, which is so far out in is economic predictions, was used in Council’s grant applications for funding by Regional Development Victoria and Transport Safety Victoria. See the Bairnsdale Advertiser article, and letters. See also Bastion Funding Fails the Tests.

A fiery meeting in East Gippsland Shire Council on 9 November 2010 has exposed how fast-tracking of funding for the Bastion Point harbour development has papered over glaring errors in consultant reports and failed official funding tests. See the report in 12 Nov 2010 Bairnsdale Advertiser. See also our 15 Nov 2010 Media Release.
The Council [...]

Despite just a few hours notice, a band of Bastion Point supporters took part in delivery of 40 beach balls from the people of Mallacoota to Premier John Brumby on 5 November 2010. The balls had messages written on them urging the Premier to think again about Bastion Point, and preserve it for all. We [...]

Save Bastion Point Campaign has condemned Ports Minister Tim Pallas announcement on 27 October 2010 that the Labor Government will provide $6.5 million funding for a boat harbour at Mallacoota’s iconic Bastion Point. The funding has been announced before environmental approval has been given by Minister Jennings and cultural heritage approval by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. [...]

The Campaign launched an advertisement in The Melbourne Times on 27 October 2010, asking city voters to help defend Bastion Point. Please see our Advertisement and Media Release, which explains why it is important that Victoria’s premier coastal wilderness destination be preserved, and why voters should ask their local politicians what they would do [...]

An intrepid group of travellers has set off from Ben Boyd National Park, finishing in Mallacoota on 31 October 2010. The walkers, led by outdoor recreation student Sil Philpott, hope to raise awareness of the Bastion Point issue. A barbeque will be held to celebrate the end of the walk on Sunday 31 October 2010 [...]

An annual $2.8 million black hole has been discovered in an East Gippsland Shire Council commissioned economic impact assessment into the Bastion Point development.
Save Bastion Point Campaign and Mallacoota residents say it raises major concerns over the credibility of the entire report. See our Media Release, or double click to enlarge the advertisement that ran [...]

The week beginning 27 September 2010 saw the distribution by newspaper and mail of 10,000 copies of a poster that shows two possibilities for Bastion Point; one that preserves its natural values and enhances ocean access and tourism – the other is Council’s planned breakwater that removes beach from public access, creates a dredge-spoil dump, [...]

A case was heard in VCAT between Friends of Mallacoota and the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Minister for Planning, over access to documents under Freedom of Information. The case was heard on 5, 15 and 16 September 2010. A judgement is expected within the next few weeks.

A crowd of around 120 people of all ages braved a rainy night on 4 Sept 2010 to attend a community event at the Mallacoota Mudbrick – to affirm a positive way forward for Bastion Point and not the breakwater Option 3b being proposed by EG Council. The evening was a great success and showcased [...]