What can I do?

It is imperative that we keep politicians aware of the strong community opposition to the proposed development and all its associated problems.

Please write a letter to:

The Hon. Justin Madden, Minister for Planning, Level 17, 8 Nicholson St Melbourne 3000

Justin Madden is the Minister who makes the final recommendation as to whether the proposal should or should not proceed.

AND

The Hon. Gavin Jennings, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Level 22, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000

Gavin Jennings must give his approval under the Coastal Management Act before the development can proceed.

You can also write to your local MP or visit him/her to talk about your concerns.

If you do visit or talk to a politician, please contact us with any feedback you may get.

What to write:

It is best to write in your own words on issues that are important to you. Below are some suggested points you could raise:

1. You are strongly opposed to the proposed development, as are many others. (87% of 471 written submissions, and over 90% of oral submissions opposed the development)

2. There would be significant environmental and social impacts for Mallacoota if the proposal were to proceed:

• The breakwater and access road will cover an extensive area of the beach and rocky shoreline, which is part of Victoria’s Wilderness Coast.
• Dredging operations will ruin the area’s attractions for swimming, surfing, walking and exploring the rock pools.
• The natural beauty of the rocky headland will be destroyed, and the peace and tranquillity of Bastion Point will be compromised.

3. The access road along the beach is bad planning for a broad range of reasons:

• Storm events and the predicted increase of storm frequency and intensity due to climate change will result in high maintenance and operating costs.
• The Victorian Coastal Strategy discourages development on or close to the shoreline.
• The area planned for construction is currently used for a range of different activities by the public - the development would proceed at the expense of all these other users.
• Vehicles and boats queuing to use the facility would create traffic congestion and safety issues for pedestrians and other beach users.
• It would be economically irresponsible to provide a facility with high dredging, maintenance and operating costs for the benefit of a relatively small user group (recreational fishermen).

4. You would be happy to support a low impact solution at Bastion Point, as would many others in the community. eg An improvement to traffic management and reconstruction of the boat ramp itself at the existing site will significantly improve the facility for commercial fishermen, the experienced boat operator and other recreational users. This approach would be cost effective and meet the community’s needs while protecting the many values of Bastion Point.