VIC ELECTION 2018

Environment Victoria NewsM O B I L I S I N G P E O P L E T O S A F E G U A R D O U R E N V I R O N M E N T ISSUE 29 • AUTUMN 2018

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NOVEMBER’S STATE ELECTION ISshaping as a pivotal moment forAustralia’s response to climate change,and an opportunity to solve some ofthe big environmental challenges ofour time.

It can be the moment when we lock inand extend Victoria’s leadership in thetransition to renewable energy andcutting greenhouse pollution. It’s ouropportunity to spotlight neglectedissues like the protection of our nativeforests, the fate of our rivers and theopportunity to make Victorian homesand businesses more sustainable. Andthis is when we can build powerfulmomentum for environment and climateprotection in the lead-up to a federalelection likely in early 2019.

Or it could be a moment when thestate takes a great step backwards anddecides to dismantle much of theprogress of the past three years.

We are not going to let that happen. We’ve been here before. We’ve spent

five years building a formidablepeople-powered presence in theelectorates that will determine theoutcome of the state election. Wehave honed our communicationsexpertise, increased our capacity andcan now reach more Victorians withpowerful messages for theenvironment. We’ve deepened ourcampaigns and added greaterlobbying capacity to increase thepressure on all political parties todeliver for the environment. And

we’ve notched up some big wins thathave built our power, including retiringHazelwood and beginning the criticaltransition away from coal, embeddingclimate change and renewable energytargets in legislation and reversing thedecline in environmental spending inthe state budget.

But this year we intend to shift upanother level and deliver the biggestpeople-powered campaign for ourenvironment that this state has everseen.

That’s our mission and yours. Wehope you are inspired and excitedabout the plan we lay out in the pagesahead. Together we can make 2018the turning point that Australia andthe world so urgently need.

Mark Wakeham, Chief Executive Officer

Editorial

MATTERSELECTION 2018

Environment Victoria NewsM O B I L I S I N G P E O P L E T O S A F E G U A R D O U R E N V I R O N M E N T ISSUE 29 • AUTUMN 2018

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Environment Victoria NewsIssue 29, Autumn 2018Design 2Fish ProductionsPrint Digital HouseContributing writersMark Wakeham, Dean Rizzetti, Nick Aberle,Juliet Le Feuvre, Cat Nadel, Alex Merory, Jean Christie, Emma HorsburghEditor Greg Foyster, Alex Merory(03) 9341 8125 editor@environmentvictoria.org.auSub-editor Jenny LeeMembership enquiries (03) 9341 8100 admin@environmentvictoria.org.au Media enquiries (03) 9341 8127m.wakeham@environmentvictoria.org.auEnvironment Victoria News is an Environment Victoria publication. For more information, visitwww.environmentvictoria.org.aufacebook.com/environmentvictoria@EnviroVic

Election 2018

Pressuring cleanenergy blockers

Young people voting for a safe climate future

Murray-DarlingBasin at thecrossroads – again!

Hazelwood 12 months on

Jean Christie isForever Green

RepoweringVictoria

How Victoria can lead the way

So we’re off! 2018 is under way, and at Environment Victoria we knowwe’re facing the clearest and most important mission we’ve ever had.

Authorised by M. Wakeham, CEO, EnvironmentVictoria, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, 3053.Printed by Digital House, 70 Wirraway Dr, Port Melbourne VIC 3207.

OUR STATE CAN BE RENOWNED FORits environmental leadership –embracing renewable energy,transitioning away from destructivepractices and putting in place stronglaws to protect our environment.

For this we need to have agovernment willing to face the sheerscale of our environmental challenges.We need bold laws that reflect scientificrealities and respond to communitydemands. But with timid government werisk taking serious backwards steps –propping up outdated coal powerstations, failing to protect our preciouscritters and shifting the burden forcleaning up coal mines ontocommunities.

Every election, we work with partiesfrom across the political spectrum toencourage them to adopt strongenvironmental policies. We take theresponsibility of providing good ideasvery seriously. That’s why we developeda comprehensive election policy agenda,which puts forward solutions fromreducing waste to driving the uptake ofelectric vehicles.

To read our full election policy agendago to envict.org.au/2018agenda

This year we have a chance to leavebehind the old thinking that pits jobsagainst the environment, and embracethe opportunities of a sustainable,renewable energy-driven economy. Thisshift is possible in Victoria – let’s make ithappen!

How Victoria can lead the way

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Dean RizzettiPublic Policy and Advocacy Manager

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Repower Victoria with clean energyParties must commit to bringing online 1000MW of large-scale renewable energy each yearfor the next four years through the VRET,provide detailed plans to increase energystorage and support the transition away fromcoal-burning power.

Restore and protect natureParties must commit to establishing the GreatForest National Park and increasing spendingon environmental programs across the state,such as riverside restoration.

Make Victoria a leader in tackling globalwarmingParties must commit to science-basedemissions reduction targets and set CO2 limitson highly polluting facilities through the EPA.

Help every Victorian share the benefits ofclean energyParties must commit to supporting 250,000vulnerable Victorian households to repowertheir homes through residential renewableenergy and energy efficiency, guarantee a fairprice for solar and support the Latrobe Valleycommunity to move beyond coal.

Every day we see the impacts of environmental destruction –more severe weather events, loss of precious species and rivers under strain. But as Victorians, we know things can be different.

Our key priorities

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Bringingonline newrenewableenergy

Closing dirtycoal-firedpowerstations andsupportingcommunitiesin transition

Improvingaccess toenergyefficiency

Passing lawsto protectour climate

Protectingour preciousflora andfauna

Creating newnationalparks

Restore ourrivers andwaterways

THE GREENS

• Consistently supported the VRET, includingit in their 2014 election platform andconsistently pushing renewable energy upthe agenda in Parliament.

• Have spoken consistently and forcefully forthe need to transition away from coal andtowards renewable energy.

• Campaigned to put in place energyefficiency standards for rental properties.

• Set a target to reduce Victorian energydemand by 20% by 2020, withappropriate sectoral targets across theeconomy.

• Supported the Climate Change Act andpushed to strengthen the Act by placingstronger requirements to consider climatechange in all decision-making andestablishing the right for communities totake action against governments failing tomeet the Climate Change Act.

• Have consistently championed the need fora strong Act to protect Victoria’s flora andfauna, including supporting EnvironmentVictoria’s calls for strengthened capacity toenforce any violations of the Act.

• Consistently championed the Great ForestNational Park, introducing a bill toestablish the park in November 2017.

• Have been largely silent in Parliament onthe Murray Darling Basin plan.

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Where the this

Taking stock:achievements and unfinished business of the Andrews government

SINCE THE ANDREWSgovernment was elected in 2014,together with people like youwho care enough to act, we’vegained some impressive winsfor our environment.

Renewable energy is back ontrack, with the introduction of aVictorian Renewable EnergyTarget (VRET), an increase insolar feed-in tariffs, and thereversal of laws blocking windfarms. Hazelwood has finallybeen retired. The Andrewsgovernment has raised coalmining royalties andrehabilitation bonds so that coalcompanies are paying their wayand communities are betterprotected when mines close.

We’ve also seen someimportant structural reforms.Victoria has a strengthenedClimate Change Act, with atarget to achieve net zeroemissions by 2050. We have along-overdue biodiversitystrategy and better protectionfor river-side vegetation.

However, the work isn’t over.Before the next election, theAndrews government needs tolock in support for renewables,set targets to reduce emissionsacross all sectors and finallyestablish the Great ForestNational Park.

The VRET commits Victoria tosourcing 40 percent of itselectricity from renewableenergy by 2025. The target isdelivered using reverseauctions, where sellers competeto win a contract for theirrenewables project at thelowest price. The first auctionwas announced in November,with results expected in thesecond half of 2018.

But the government hasn’t

yet set a pipeline of auctions todeliver the rest of the target.This is a missed opportunity togive industry the certainty itneeds. We’ll keep pushing thegovernment to set a timetableof auctions that will bring 1000megawatts (MW) of newrenewable energy online eachyear in the next term ofParliament.

We’re also pushing theAndrews government to setambitious interim targets foremissions reductions in 2025and 2030. These are requiredacross all sectors by the ClimateChange Act. The governmenthas appointed an expert panelto advise it, and we’re workingto make sure that therecommended targets areambitious and consistent withwhat the science demands. .

A stronger Flora and FaunaGuarantee Act is also needed –this is Victoria’s key piece oflegislation to protectthreatened species. Agovernment review hasidentified its shortcomings –now it’s time to fix it.

Finally, the Great ForestNational Park would be a greatlegacy for this government –protecting 355,000 hectares offorest, creating 750 jobs andbringing 380,000 new visitors toour spectacular centralhighlands. And it would be avital step in protecting theLeadbeater’s Possum.

While there’s an election inNovember, there’s still eightmonths for the Andrewsgovernment to act on some ofour biggest environmentalproblems, rather than just kickthe can down the road to thenext term of Parliament.

Dr Nicholas Aberle Campaigns Manager

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• Passed into law a new Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) of40% by 2025, up from 12% in 2016.

• Increased feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar.

• Supported the Latrobe Valley community through Hazelwood’s closurewith $270 million for diversifying the local economy.

• Increased coal royalties and mine rehabilitation bonds to ensure thecommunity and environment is protected when mines close.

• Increased target for the Victorian Energy Upgrade Program (VEUP)and established new energy efficiency measures.

• Restored funding to cut bills and reduce emissions from schools,hospitals and offices.

• Launched the Green Bond, raising $300 million for investment inenergy efficiency, renewable energy, public transport and clean water.

• Strengthened the Victorian Climate Change Act aiming for net zeroemissions by 2050. Set targets to reduce the state’s greenhousepollution by 15 to 20% by 2020.

• Banned fracking and unconventional gas extraction, imposed amoratorium on new onshore gas projects.

• Reviewed the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, but is yet to proposenew laws providing sufficient protection for nature.

• Developed a new Biodiversity Strategy leading to over $80 millioninvestment in nature conservation.

• Explored, but so far failed, to create the Great Forest National Park toprotect critical native forests.

• Failed to significantly expand Victoria’s parks.• Purchased the Heyfield Mill in Gippsland, with no transition plan for

the mill or protection plan for the surrounding forests.

• Blocking progress to restoring rivers with the Murray Darling BasinPlan.

• Provided $30 million for fencing and restoration. So far it hasprotected over 1500 km of riparian land.

THE LABOR PARTY THE COALITION

• Voted against VRET and have promised torepeal it if they are elected.

• Voted against the solar feed-in-tariffs increases. • Misinformation campaign spreading fear about

reliability of renewable energy.

• Called for intervention to keep Hazelwoodopen.

• Vowed to keep polluting coal power stationsopen. Nationals are pushing for a new coalpower station.

• Opposed increased coal royalties and havepromised to reverse them.

• In previous terms of government, rolled backenergy efficiency – moving to scrap VEUP anddefunding the Greener Government BuildingsProgram.

• Dismissed the Green Bond as an attempt toincrease debt.

• Despite their stated concerns about energybills, have not promoted energy efficiency as asolution.

• Voted against the Climate Change Act and haspromised to repeal key elements if elected.

• Advocated for an acceleration of onshore gasextraction.

• Unclear position on Flora and Fauna GuaranteeAct at this stage.

• Oppose many of the EPA reforms and wouldlikely reverse them.

• Voted in Parliament to oppose the creation ofthe Great Forest National Park.

• Actively prioritising irrigator interests andshowing no interest in securing water flowsthat would safeguard the health of our rivers.

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parties stand – their actions term of government

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Election 2018 – powered by you!

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We will make thiselection a winner forour environment and climate

Our election campaign:five smart strategies

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Election 2018 is our chance to speed upour shift to sustainability and makeVictoria the leader the world sodesperately needs. We need to put a renewable-poweredrocket under our efforts to cut greenhousepollution. And we have to get seriousabout protecting nature in a time ofclimate change, starting by declaring theGreat Forest National Park and ensuringVictoria plays a positive role in saving theMurray-Darling.So this election we’ll be throwingeverything we have at ensuring that on election night on November 24, theenvironment comes up a winner.

ENGAGE TARGET VOTERS – talk to thousands ofvoters in the areas that decide elections to makeclean energy, climate and environment big issues atthe election.

HELP YOUNG PEOPLE ENROL TO VOTE – enrol 1000 young people ready to vote for a future with a safe climate.

HIGH PROFILE FOR OUR ISSUES – make cleanenergy, our environment and our powerfulvolunteer-led campaign the big story this election.

RAISE AMBITION OF THE PARTIES – get betterpolicy promises for our environment in the lead-upto the election.

PRESSURE THE BLOCKERS – call out politicians whoare standing in the way of clean energy andenvironment protection and let them know they’reout of touch with what the community wants.

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Introducing the teamOur friendly organising team and amazing NEST volunteers (NEST stands for Network Support Team) will coordinate and support our people-powered election activities.

To find out more about how you can be part of the 2018 election campaignplease fill in the survey that comes with thisEnvironment Victoria News or go toenvict.org.au/election2018

JOINUS

Alex MeroryCommunications Manager

Jane StabbCommunity OrganisingProgram Manager

POLITICAL PARTIES PAY MOSTattention to what the community issaying in marginal electorates – that’swhere the agenda gets set, and sothat’s where we’ll work to help set thatagenda.

Over the last five years EnvironmentVictoria has built a formidable people-powered presence in the ‘Sandbelt’seats from Frankston to Bentleigh, astring of marginal electorates thatdecide the outcome of elections. Thiselection is on a knife-edge so we knowthat if we work with the localcommunity to stand up for our climateand environment, we’ll have a bigimpact.

We’ll also be making noise in seatsheld by some of the key blockers ofclean energy and in regional areas thatstand to benefit most from the cleanenergy boom.

We’ve taken lessons from some of themost exciting, innovative and effectivecampaigns from the past couple years –including the record-breaking marriageequality campaign and the Queenslandelection campaign – to build a plan for

our biggest campaign outreach ever.That’s where you come in. New tools

and technologies make it easy to getinvolved wherever you are, whichmeans we can turbo-charge ourcampaign. It also means that you don’thave to live in a marginal electorate tomake a big difference this election.

Through calling parties across thestate, we’re aiming to make a whopping100,000 calls to have powerfulconversations with people in our targetareas about why it’s important to usetheir vote for our climate andenvironment.

And those conversations will bebacked up by our advertising blitz – withour clean energy message on billboards,in front yards in their communities, onour local campaign headquarters,through online advertising, from ourvolunteers on the street andpersonalised updates in the mail.

We can make our climate andenvironment a winner this election.We’ve got the research, we’ve got thetechnology, we’ve built the team – allwe need is you!

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We’re working in key areas across the state, including the ‘Sandbelt’ seats from Bentleigh to Frankston

Talking to voters in key electoratesThe campaign for clean energy and climate this state election will be powered by … you. This election is criticalfor our environment. So we need to reach out to more people than ever before!

Taegen Edwards, ourCommunity OrganisingProgram Manager, is going onmaternity leave. We thankTaegen for her wonderfulcontribution this year andwish her all the best! She’ll bereplaced by Jane Stabb who isback from maternity leave,and the team has grown with anew Community Organiser,Anine Cummins.

THANKS TOTAEGEN

IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS, THEVictorian Coalition has voted againststrengthening the Climate Change Act,paying a fair price for power fromrooftop solar, and setting an ambitiousVictorian target for renewable energy.Outside Parliament, they have said theywill intervene (somehow) to keep dirtybrown coal power stations open,overturn the ban on onshore gas andscrap the Victorian Renewable EnergyTarget. They also supported a motion totry to stop the Great Forest National Parkfrom ever becoming a reality.

Elections are a contest of ideas. In athriving democracy, every voter shouldbe aware of what candidates stand for sothey can make informed decisions.

Right now, the Opposition’s climateand energy policies are irresponsible andout of step with the Victorian public. Wewant this election to be a race to the top,not the bottom. We want every party tohave a positive story to tell aboutclimate and the environment, and we’reworking hard to make sure that’s thecase.

Many Victorians don’t know where theCoalition stands on key environmentalissues. We’ll be investing in prominentbillboards and social media advertisingto make sure they do!

During April and May a community-sourced billboard will be on display inCaulfield, the electorate of Shadow

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This billboard, suggested by Ric Benjamin from Caulfield North andchosen by the community, will be up on Glenhuntly Road inElsternwick during April and May.

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Thank you to everyone whosubmitted billboard ideas anddonated to get this billboardup and spread the messagethat the community is readyfor clean energy!

THANK YOU!

Dr Nicholas AberleCampaigns Manager

Other billboard ideas submitted by the community and selected as finalists.

Poll after poll confirms that Victorians want action on climatechange, more renewable energy and better environmentalprotection. But at the moment, the Victorian Opposition –Matthew Guy’s Liberal-National Coalition – are proposingpolicies to take us backward on these critical issues.

Pressuring clean energy blockers

Minister for Renewable EnergyDavid Southwick. (Right now,he’s acting like the Minister forcasting shadows overrenewable energy.) We askedyou to suggest a message tosend to David Southwick, and200 of you responded withsome brilliant concepts whichwe narrowed down and thenasked you to vote on. Thewinning billboard suggested byCaulfield local Ric Benjamin willbe up for two months in theheart of Caulfield for all to see.

More billboards highlightingthat the Coalition’s plan to scrapthe VRET will cost regionalVictoria jobs and investmentwill go west of Melbourne inthe regional electorate of Ripon.Many of the wind energyprojects under the VRET wouldbe built here and again it’s a keyseat in the election campaign.But the local Coalition MPdoesn’t seem to want thosejobs in her electorate. PlusRepower groups in Melbourne’snorth-east will keep localcommunity-driven pressure onCoalition MPs like Matthew Guyand Dee Ryall.

Politicians who oppose cleanenergy need to be held toaccount. Their views are out of touch, and they need to catch up with the rest of the community.

YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE MOST TOlose from climate change but the leastsay in how to fight it. Hundreds ofthousands of young Australians aremissing out on their chance to createchange because they’ve never enrolledto vote. So in the lead-up to the Victorianelection in November, we’re doing ourbest to support enrolment by peopleaged between 17 and 24.

A key part of our strategy isrecognising the reason young peoplearen’t enrolling isn’t that they’reapathetic about political and socialissues, but because they don’t seetraditional politics as caring about what’simportant to them.

We know young people will turn outto vote when politicians focus on theseissues. In the two weeks before the rollsclosed on Australia’s marriage equality survey, for example, more than 60,000people aged 16–24 enrolled to vote forthe first time.

Our changing climate is one of theissues that concern young people.Research from Sustainability Victoriashows that people aged 15–24 are mostlikely to rate climate change among their

top three concerns. The issueconsistently tops surveys of youngergenerations around the globe. Youngpeople know we’re rapidly running outof time to prevent the worst impacts ofrunaway climate change, and that they’llbe the ones dealing with theconsequences if we fail to act.

So in the lead-up to this election, we’re

putting climate and intersecting youthissues at the centre of our work andengaging with young people who wantto see change. We’re supporting youngpeople not only to get enrolled andensure their voice is heard in traditionalelectoral politics, but also to stand upand take action for our environment inways that make sense to them wherethey are.

This is a new direction for EnvironmentVictoria, so we’ll partner with youthorganisations wherever possible. We’realready building a team of dynamicyoung volunteers who are helping to rollout strategies like attending orientationweeks and high schools, as well asexperimenting with social mediastrategies and peer-to-peer textingparties. To get involved in our exciting new youthenrolment campaign please emaile.horsburgh@environmentvictoria.org.au.

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Young people voting for a safe climate future

YOUTHENROLMENT: OUR GOALEnrol 1000 young peopleand talk to them about theirpower as voters to takeaction for our climate.

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Cat Nadel, Safe Climate Campaigner

We’re working to make sure young people are ready and able to havetheir say on climate change and vote for their future at the nextVictorian election.

“If we don’t vote and makepolicy for the future, thenthere won’t be a future.”Oscar, first time voter in November’sstate election, Frankston

Signing up young voters to enrol to vote and jointhe campaign at O-weeks at Monash Caulfield

Enrolment postcard

THE MURRAY-DARLING BASIN PLANto restore Australia’s biggest river systembegan in 2012 with support from bothsides of federal politics and all fouraffected states. Since then, we’verepeatedly been assured that the planwill be delivered ‘on time and in full’, butin fact the governments involved aredivided, accusing each other oftreachery, hurling insults andthreatening to walk out.

The issue at stake is a proposal tochange the environmental waterrecovery targets that are at the heart ofthe Basin Plan. Victoria and New SouthWales argue that less water is needed forthe environment, while South Australiawants more, and all sides are refusing tobudge. It is up to the federal Senate tomake the final decision on whether anychanges go ahead.

Earlier this year, after receivingthousands of messages from thecommunity, (including manyEnvironment Victoria supporters – thankyou!) the Senate rejected an amendmentto cut environmental water targets forthe rivers in the northern basin. Thisdecision, made by the Greens and federal

ALP with the support of the NickXenophon Team and Senator Hinch, wasa major win for the environment,downstream users and Aboriginalpeople.

But now the stakes have been raisedagain. The Turnbull government isproposing another amendment, this timeto cut water recovery in the southernbasin. The Senate is due to vote on theamendment in May.

The amendment would mean lesswater for Victoria’s iconic rivers and theforests, wetlands and billabongs that givethem life. It comes at the request of theVictorian and NSW governments, whohave been pushing for various projectsintended to provide the sameenvironmental outcomes with less water.

The trouble is, we don’t know if this willwork. The Wentworth Group ofConcerned Scientists assessed all 37projects and concluded that only one ofthem was fit for purpose. It’s dangerousto amend the Plan when the outcome isso uncertain. The amendment is alsomissing projects to increaseenvironmental flows and get waterwhere it is most needed.

The Andrews government has beenlosing focus on the environmentaloutcomes of the Plan and is now activelybacking irrigation interests. WaterMinister Lisa Neville recently told theVictorian Parliament that thegovernment would “advocate strongly”in the irrigators’ favour.

But changes to the Basin Plan areclearly premature. The proposed projectsdon’t meet the conditions set by theWentworth Group, and the parties can’tagree on a realistic pathway to deliveringthe 450 gigalitres (GL) of environmentalflows required to restore the rivers tohealth. This is essential if the Plan is to bedelivered ‘on time and in full’.

The Andrews government should stopfocusing on the short-term interests ofirrigators and look to the long-term gainthat comes from healthy rivers. After all,there are no jobs on a dead river.

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The historic Murray-Darling Basin Plan is in danger, with stateand federal governments giving in to pressure to place irrigators’interests above the health of our rivers.

Murray-Darling Basin at the crossroads – again!

Juliet Le FeuvreHealthy Rivers Campaigner

PHOTO: GYPSY-DENISE,-CC-BY-SA-4.0

Thanks to everyone who took actionand donated to this vital campaign to protect our lifeblood – our rivers.

THANK YOU!

H E A LT H Y R I V E R SH E A LT H Y R I V E R S

FOR LORRAINE BULL, WHO LIVESjust across the freeway from Hazelwoodin Morwell, the results of the powerstation’s closure were immediate. She wasno longer breathing its toxic pollution,and two days later her long-term sinusproblems improved dramatically. “I hadnot even acknowledged that I wasaffected by the unseen pollution,” she toldus in March.

But of course it isn’t all blue skies inMorwell. We ran a local online survey tohear what Latrobe Valley locals had to sayabout their experience. Communitymembers told us that families andbusinesses are dealing with seriouseconomic and employment challenges,with some employers abandoning theregion. At the same time jobs are growingin the health and solar industries, andpeople were noticing an impact fromincreased government support foreconomic transition. (Read quotes fromlocals in the box below.)

The good news is there are alreadyincredible local people and groupsworking hard to create jobs in renewableenergy in the Latrobe Valley. Earthworkeris about to launch their Energy

Manufacturing Cooperative, a worker-owned collective which will manufactureand sell high-quality solar hot watertechnology at their Morwell factory.The Gippsland Climate Change Network isnow host to a Community Power Hub,which will work to bring community-owned renewable projects to the LatrobeValley. Groups like the Latrobe ValleySustainability Group and Voices of theValley have also successfully advocatedfor the health of the community,demanding safe and proper minerehabilitation and generating strong localinterest in sustainable development forthe region.

The Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA), atransition initiative of the Victoriangovernment, is also making adifference. Since it was established lastyear the authority has helped to place150 Hazelwood workers into jobs at otherpower stations, created a back-to-workscheme to enable local businesses to hireand train unemployed people, launched aretrofit of 1000 homes with energyefficiency upgrades and solar as well asproviding ongoing transition support forall Hazelwood workers and their families.

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Hazelwood 12 months on:a view from the Valley

S A F E C L I M AT E

Cat NadelSafe Climate Campaigner

A year after Hazelwood power station’s closure, the Latrobe Valleyis still facing challenges, but there are also bluer skies ahead.

PHOTO: GIPPSLAND SOLAR

Looking forward –election policies for the ValleyBased on the communityconsultation and our ‘justtransition’ approach,Environment Victoria hasdeveloped three core electionpolicies for the region:

1. Allocate 10% of Victoria’sRenewable Energy Targetexclusively to the LatrobeValley.

2. Expand energy efficiencyprograms across Gippsland,including committing toupgrade 78,000 houses.

3. Make the Latrobe ValleyAuthority a permanentstatutory authority andexpand its funding andmandate.

“The government should pourmoney into developingrenewable energy in the areaand training workers in this newindustry. The Latrobe Valley maystill have the opportunity to be aWORLD leader in renewableenergy despite the reluctance ofthose in power currently. I forone would love to see that.”— Mark Weymouth

“There is a strong movement whowant the offshore wind farms to bebuilt in the Bass Strait off theGippsland coast. I hope locals researchwind farms and how successful theyare in Denmark, Scotland andGermany. Then they too willappreciate the opportunity forLatrobe Valley for clean energy to befed into the energy grid in Latrobe.”— Dana Sang

“Invest in renewable energyindustries. With a widelydistributed population, weneed to develop communitybased energy systems ratherthan relying on the grid. Thecore element of energyefficiency is education of thepublic. We need to invest inthis.”— Gavin Wigginton

WHAT LOCALS TOLD US:

S A F E C L I M AT E

Tough conversations withfriends: Dragging the EPAinto the 21st centuryWe wouldn’t have expected to be running a campaign against Victoria’sEnvironment Protection Authority (EPA), a regulator whose main job is toprevent pollution in Victoria. It certainly feels strange to find ourselves atodds with environmental experts we greatly respect and have workedwith for many years. But sometimes to create real change, you have tohave tough conversations with your friends.

THANK YOU!Thanks to everyone who donatedto support this importantcampaign and to the thousandsof you who have called on theEPA to crack down on bigpolluters!

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The EPA was established in 1970 asVictoria’s environmental watchdog. Nowalmost 50 years later, it’s undergoing a$160 million upgrade to turn it into amodern regulator capable of meetingtoday’s environmental challenges. So far,though, there’s been no word on how itwill address the biggest threat to ourenvironment – climate change.

The independent inquiry thattriggered the upgrade recommendedthe EPA’s role in reducing emissions be

clarified and that periodic reviews beconducted for licences of pollutingfacilities. As a result the EPA is nowreviewing the licences of Victoria’s coal-burning power stations. These powerstations are responsible for over a thirdof Victoria’s CO2 emissions, so puttinglimits on their emissions is our bestchance for reducing pollution.

The government is also settingemission reduction targets for the years2025 and 2030. We’re participating in

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Presenting an open letter from Healthy Futures signed by major health professional organisationscalling on the EPA to put stricter limits on pollution from coal-burning power stations.

Cat Nadel Safe Climate Campaigner

this process and have highlighted thefact that the EPA can play a critical role inreducing emissions by amending coal-power station licences and holding ourbiggest climate polluters to account.

The power station licence review hasprovided an important opportunity towork with other groups who areconcerned about pollution from coal inVictoria. This includes local groups in theLatrobe Valley who experience the directconsequences of toxic particulatepollution and health organisationsconcerned about the dual risks of coalpollution and climate change to publichealth.

Recently, Environment Victoriasupported an action from local group,Healthy Futures, to deliver a letter signedby eleven professional organisations(including unions, GPs, medicalscientists, pharmacists and more) callingon the EPA to do more to limit toxicpollution and greenhouse gas emissionsfor the protection of public health. (Seephoto below left.)

This was just the beginning of ourplans to ramp up the pressure on theEPA as we approach the next stage ofthe licence review, which will involve astatutory conference to hear views fromcommunity members and power stationoperators alike.

If you would like to be part of these plans, please email Cat atc.nadel@environmentvictoria.org.au

I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS, FORthe most part, pleasant to live in. I love our coast, our alpine regionsand our forests. My favourite spot in Victoria is the Bellarine Peninsula,where for decades my extended family has gone for holidays. The townof Anglesea has a glorious bay, and I have noticed a species of orange-red eucalypt there, which I haven’t seen elsewhere.

My greatest environmental concerns are global warming, plastic in ouroceans and deforestation. And the very nasty practice of fracking.

I started supporting Environment Victoria just on five years ago, afterattending an information session the organisation gave at DeakinEdge. I was so horrified by what I learnt there that I signed up on thespot and became active immediately.

I support Environment Victoria because I know that it is caring, wellinformed and effective. Its success and determination inspire me most.

I decided to leave a bequest because I realise that the struggle toprotect the environment is essential and likely to continue for sometime. While I love all of Australia and support several environmentalcharities, I chose Environment Victoria for my legacy because I want toensure that future generations will be able to enjoy my home state.

I dream of an environment where we have energy that is 100 per centrenewable, and where our native forests and species are fully protectedand can flourish. We can’t let up for a minute. We must go on holdingevents large and small to engage and educate the public on the needfor renewable energy and environmental protection.

In 100 years, Victoria will have healthy oceans, flourishing forests wellpopulated by native animals, and believe it or not, a clean Yarra!

F O R E V E R G R E E N

Jean Christie is a dedicated volunteer who has beencampaigning with Environment Victoria to protect ourenvironment for more than five years. She recently madethe decision to include a gift to Environment Victoria inher will. Here’s what she had to say about why.

Jean Christie is

FOREVER GREEN

BECOME FOREVER GREENLeaving a gift to Environment Victoria inyour Will is an exceptional legacy for futureVictorians who will inherit this beautifulstate from us. It’s a simple change when you nextreview your Will.The wording below is a guide for yoursolicitor or trustee: "I give to Environment Victoria Inc. (ABN: 84495 053 605) of Level 2, 60 Leicester Street,Carlton, Vic, 3053 for the purpose ofsafeguarding Victoria’s environment [theresidue [or….%] of the residue of my estate] or[....% of my estate] or [the sum of $....] or[specified property….] free of all debts, dutiesor taxes and declare that the receipt of anauthorised officer shall be a sufficientdischarge for my executor(s)”To find out more contact Gifts in WillsCoordinator John Macdonald on 9341 8109or j.macdonald@environmentvictoria.org.au

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BEQUEST VOLUNTEER WANTEDEnjoy creating interesting conversations and listening to people’s stories?We’re looking for a person to thank some of our most loyal and committed donors by phone. They may haverecently made a donation, responded to a campaign, experienced a birthday or a significant life event, orwould just like to hear a little more about our work from someone who cares as much as they do.As part of the conversation, you’d be asking them to consider the long-term sustainability of their donationsthrough giving ‘A Future Gift’ of a bequest in their Will. If you’re interested, please call our Gifts in WillsCoordinator, John Macdonald, for a chat on 9341 8109 or email j.macdonald@environmentvictoria.org.au.

DIVESTYOUR HOME LOAN

Repowering Victoria

R E P O W E R I N G V I C T O R I A

Emma HorsburghCommunity Organiser

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Since we launched the campaign to Repower Victoria with clean energyfrom the wind and sun, local Repower groups have been sprouting up allaround Melbourne and Victoria! Here are some photos from local events.

You’ve probably heard of divestingyour superannuation away fromindustries that cause harm to ourplanet and society. But what aboutdivesting your home loan?Environment Victoria has partneredwith Bank Australia, which has neverloaned a cent to the fossil fuel industry,and never will. That means no coal, oil,

gas or coal seam gas.Together, we’re running a home loandivestment campaign, moving manymillions of dollars away from banksthat loan money to dirty energy.Right now, you can switch your existinghome loan or take out a new homeloan and get a very competitive ratewith a bank that matches your values.

WANT TO DIVEST YOUR HOME LOAN? Find out more at envict.org.au/divest

DIVEST YOUR HOME LOAN

■■ $50 ■■ $100 ■■ $250 ■■ $1000 ■■ Your choice $ _______________

Please find enclosed: ■■ Cheque or ■■ Money Order (payable to Environment Victoria Inc.)

Or please debit my credit card: ■■ Visa ■■ MasterCard ■■ Amex

Cardholder’s name: ________________________________Expiry date: __ __ / __ __ Signature: __________________________

Card number:

■■ Please send me info about how I can make a gift to Environment Victoria in my Will.

■■ Please send me info about how I can support Environment Victoria with a monthly gift.

Are your personal details correct on your letter? Or are you moving soon? Please update your personal information here if necessary.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Title: First name: Last name:

Address:

Suburb: State: Postcode:

Email:

Mobile: Home:

Please complete this form, cut off this page and return it to Reply Paid 12575, A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC 8006 or visit www.environmentvictoria.org.au and make your donation online. Thank you for your generosity!

Dear Mark, I want to help make the Victorian election a turning point in our shift to clean energy.Please make this a donation by credit card:

P R O T E C T I N G N AT U R E

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(All donations over $2 are tax deductible.)

Personal information is collected to process donations, issue tax receipts and keep you updated about our work. Please contact us at the address below if you wish to limit the use of your personal information orstop receiving direct marketing material from Environment Victoria. Our privacy policy is available at environmentvictoria.org.au/privacy and outlines how you can access or correct your personal information, who wedisclose your personal information to (including overseas recipients) and how you can lodge a complaint. ■■ Please tick if you do NOT want to receive communications from other organisations. Occasionally we allowlike-minded organisations to contact you with information that may be of interest to you, including organisations outside Australia. Those organisations allow us to do the same and this way we can reach morepeople with vital information.

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Did you know you can donate online? www.environmentvictoria.org.au/give

Chief Executive OfficerMark Wakeham

CAMPAIGNS & PROGRAMSCampaigns Manager Nicholas AberleHealthy Rivers and Nature CampaignManagerJuliet Le FeuvreSafe Climate Campaigner Cat NadelSenior Climate Campaign Advisor Erwin JacksonEfficiency Campaigner Anne MartinelliPublic Policy and Advocacy Manager Dean RizzettiCommunity Organising Program Manager Taegen Edwards / Jane StabbCommunity Organiser Adele NealeCommunity Organiser Emma Horsburgh

Community Organiser Anine CumminsCommunications Managers Alex Merory, Greg FoysterCommunications Officer Cameron Wheatley

OPERATIONSFinance Manager Kate Rogers Accounts Officer Jing LuOffice Manager Cate HoyleFundraising Programs Manager Lena Herrera PiekarskiFundraising Officer Heather BruerMajor Donor and Gifts in WillsCoordinator John MacdonaldDatabase Officer Karly Roolker

BOARDPresident Emma HumannVice-President Tim WattsPaul BaileyPeter ChristoffElaine MontegriffoTabatha FulkerBen KrasnosteinTim WattsRalf ThesingKatherine Lake

REGULAR VOLUNTEERSEnvironment Victoria would like to thank our amazing crew of regular volunteers, who are now too numerous to mention.

TALK TO USPhone (03) 9341 8100 Emailadmin@environmentvictoria.org.auFax (03) 9341 8199@EnviroVicfacebook.com/environmentvictoria

PO Box 12575A’Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006www.environmentvictoria.org.au

Authorised by Mark Wakeham, CEO,Environment Victoria, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, 3053.

WHO’SWHO AT

DOUG GIMESY

Thanks to wildlife photographer and Environment Victoriasupporter Doug Gimesy for this amazing long-nosed potorooimage. You can see more of his work at gimesy.com