MEMBERS of the community group fighting plans for a floating gas terminal at Crib Point on Sunday joined forces with international environment group 4Ocean to clean up the Hastings foreshore.
Rob Knowles of the Save Westernport NO AGL group said that in doing so its members “showed that they not only say what they think they act what they think”.
The group will take its concerns to the state government on Friday when it delivers a petition calling on Planning Minister Richard Wynne to block AGL’s gas import plan.
AGL is yet to lodge its submission with Mr Wynne who will then decide if environmental studies (Environmental Effects Statement) are needed for the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).
The project also needs the go-ahead from the federal Department of Environment and Energy under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Victorian EPA.
Mr Knowles said 40 members of the anti-AGL group and members of 4Oceans filled 40 hessian bags with rubbish, “mainly plastics bags, cardboard cups, drink cans and straws”.
“Western Port is a Ramsar site, which is a wetland listed as having international importance. The bay is recognised for its diverse assemblage of water birds and wetland vegetation,” Mr Knowles said. “Not only do we have to stop AGL from polluting the bay by permanently mooring its gas factory ship in it, we have to stop the public from throwing their rubbish into it, as can be seen by what we gathered today. “We all have a role to play, to keep this Bay pristine for future generations.”
First published in the Western Port News – 14 August 2018
