(STONY POINT FERRY) - it was meant to happen around
8th of May so they are 5 days ahead of schedule! There
is NO time to waste. REMEMBER: the minister (Hill) has
to make his decision within 20 days.
Apologies for the length of this e-mail - I hope you
find it useful (it took a lot of hours!)
Invitation for Public Comment on Referral
SEE:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=public_notifications&limit=7&text_search=
and/or
referral detail is at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=269
key criteria on page 8, which the proponent has had to
address & says will not be affected:
WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE:
An action has, will have or is likely to have a
significant impact on the ecological character of a
declared Ramsar wetland if it does, will, or is likely
to result in: areas of the wetland being destroyed or
substantially modified; or a substantial and
measurable change in the hydrological regime of the
wetland; or
the habitat or lifecycle of native species dependent
upon the wetland being seriously affected; or a
substantial and measurable change in the
physico-chemical status of the wetland,; or an
invasive species that is harmful to the ecological
character of the wetland being established in the
wetland.
LISTED THREATENED SPECIES AND ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES
Extinct in the wild species; An action has, will have,
or is likely to have a significant impact on extinct
in the wild species if it does, will, or is likely to:
adversely affect a captive or propagated population or
one recently introduced/reintroduced to the wild; or
interfere with the recovery of the species or its
reintroduction into the wild.
Critically endangered and endangered species
An action has, will have, or is likely to have a
significant impact on a critically endangered or
endangered species if it does, will, or is likely to:
lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a
population; or
Matters of national environmental significance and
significance criteria reduce the area of occupancy of
the species; or fragment an existing population into
two or more populations; or adversely affect habitat
critical to the survival of a species; or disrupt the
breeding cycle of a population; or modify, destroy,
remove, isolate or decrease the availability or
quality of habitat to the extent that the species is
likely to decline; or result in invasive species that
are harmful to a critically endangered or endangered
species becoming established in the endangered or
critically endangered species? habitat; or interfere
with the recovery of the species.
Vulnerable species
An action has, will have, or is likely to have a
significant impact on a vulnerable species if it does,
will, or is likely to: lead to a long-term decrease in
the size of an important population of a species, or
Matters of national environmental significance and
significance criteria
Reduce the area of occupancy of an important
population; or Fragment an existing important
population into two or more populations; or Adversely
affect habitat critical to the survival of a species;
or Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important
population; or Modify, destroy, remove or isolate or
decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the
extent that the species is likely to decline; or
- Result in invasive species that are harmful to
vulnerable species becoming established in the
vulnerable species? habitat; or Interferes
substantially with the recovery of the species.
Critically endangered and endangered ecological
communities.
An action has, will have, or is likely to have a
significant impact on a critically endangered or
endangered ecological community if it does, will, or
is likely to: lead to a long-term adverse affect on an
ecological community; or Reduce the extent of a
community; or Fragment an occurrence of the community;
or Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival
of an ecological community; or Modify or destroy
abiotic (non-living) factors (such as water,
nutrients, or soil) necessary for the community?s
survival; or
- Result in invasive species that are harmful to the
critically endangered or endangered community
becoming established in an occurrence of the
community; or
- Interfere with the recovery of an ecological
community.
Matters of national environmental significance and
significance criteria
LISTED MIGRATORY SPECIES
An action has, will have, or is likely to have a
significant impact on a migratory species if it does,
will,
or is likely to:
- Substantially modify (including by fragmenting,
altering fire regimes, altering nutrient cycles or
altering
hydrological cycles), destroy or isolate an area of
important habitat of the migratory species; or
- Result in invasive species that is harmful to the
migratory species becoming established in an area of
important habitat of the migratory species; or
- Seriously disrupt the lifecycle (breeding, feeding,
migration or resting behaviour) of an ecologically
significant proportion of the population of the
species.
NUCLEAR ACTIONS (all criteria)
THE COMMONWEALTH MARINE ENVIRONMENT (all criteria)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On page 15 the application concludes:
"Of the six matters listed as triggers of the EPBC
Act, three were considered to be of potential
relevance to the project: Ramsar wetlands of
international importance; listed threatened species
and
communities; and migratory species protected under
international agreements. Although all matters
were potentially relevant, after detailed analysis,
none are likely to be significantly impacted by the
project (refer Table 2)."....etc.
On page 18 the applicant is asked "If you believe that
the action IS a controlled action indicate YES or
NO against the relevant controlling provisions in the
spaces provided below" - ALL spaces, as could
be expected are marked "No".
(Even though 3 of the 6 triggers are there, and
arguably the fourth one being Controlling provisions
of
Sections 26 and 27A (actions relating to Commonwealth
land) - Commonwealth land adjoins the
proposed site on 2 sides, one right next door
(Cerberus), and the other being French Island National
Park.
Definition of Commonwealth land is at:
http://SCALEplus.law.gov.au/html/comact/10/6006/1/CM007360.htm
BUT French Island is not listed at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/permits/parks/list.html
- nor is
Cerberus, so it is unclear if they qualify.
Those of you who attended the meeting on Monday will
recall that TT-Line rep's have said
unequivocally that they will not proceed with the
project IF they are required to undergo an EES, as
would any other proponent normally be required to
undergo (more then likely). They didn't seem
really very serious about the whole thing, more like
going through the moptions (on my view). They are
in a hurry to complete the whole thing asap - even if
it means inadequate process. I do not think that
the commonwealth, in today's competitive environment
(competition policy, TPA, etc.) would make
any exemptions for a government owned business, but I
might be wrong.
The purpose of the submissions is to address same key
criteria from our own knowledge point, and the
key potential problem areas in order to ensure they
are adequately addressed.
Traffic management will be a very big issue with.
Especially the 3 blackspot intersections
(Frankston/Flinders Rd with Stony Point Rd, with
Disney or Bittern Dromana Rd, and with
Westernport Highway once past Hastings (and all the
roundabouts in the morning peak hour), not to
mention Crib Point itself. More on this later,
elsewhere..
SUBMISSIONS HAVE TO BE DIRECTED, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE
TO ENVIRONMENT
AUSTRALIA, REFERRALS UNIT
To assist with submissions, here's a list of web sites
that may be of use (almost none to do with one
key aspect: traffic management - maybe later!):
and please ...
Note - this is important: there is NO speed limit in
the bay, and nothing there to compel TT line to run
at any particular speed, although, naturally
immediately it approaches the jetty it will HAVE to
slow to
5 knots or so to berth.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
1999 (EPBC) Act.
http://SCALEplus.law.gov.au/html/comact/10/6006/top.htm
Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) 1974
(EPIP) Act
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/epopa1974481/index.html
Biodiversity conservation:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/biodivconserv/index.html
Public notices on EPBC site:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publicnotices/species.html
Activities for which permits are required under the
EPBC Act:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/permits/index.html
EPBC Contact info:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/contact/index.html
Notices about Protected areas:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publicnotices/areas.html
(those
dark blue fonts are clickable! - links)
Fact sheets on all of he above matters:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/factsheets.html
Preliminary info Guide (for applicants) can be found
here:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/assessapprov/assessments/preliminfo/guide.html
(we can't
assume they have addressed everything adequately),
referral guide is at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/assessapprov/referrals/guide.html
and - VERy important::
Administrative Guidelines for determining whether an
action has, will have, or is likely to have a
significant impact on a matter of national
environmental significance under the Environment
Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/assessapprov/referrals/significanceguide.html
Since the EPBC bilateral agreement with Victoria has
not been signed yet - some of you who are
interested in these matters may want to participate
further in the DOI process of EES review, later this
month(?)!
---------------
DOI Victoria: http://www.doi.vic.gov.au
TT-Line: http://www.tt-Line.com.au/
Toll WesternPort: http://www.toll.com.au
THE SCIENCE & MANAGEMENT OF DOCKS & PIERS
http://www.state.ma.us/czm/dockpiersummary.htm
The National Committee on Coastal and Ocean
Engineering (Aus.)
http://www.ieaust.org.au/nccoe/
JOINT U.S. ñ CANADA ñ INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FORMED
TO ADDRESS HIGH SPEED VESSEL RISKS TO WHALES:
http://www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov/rtwh/rwaug98.html
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia:
http://gulfofmaine.org/times/summer98/gulf_log.html (
we have two types in
the bay, not all the time, see TT application)
FAST FERRIES elsewhere and their impacts:
High-speed ferry cited for speeding
http://www.courierpost.com/stories/080498/ferrycited.html
(people injured)
Solitary killers, Harwich, (at port on England's east
coast) - Stena Discovery
http://www.newscientist.com/ns/19990828/newsstory8.html
http://www.lineone.net/express/99/08/26/news/n2220death-d.html
Smaller cat: (Marine Accident Investigation Branch)
Collision between a Fast Ferry and a Fishing
Vessel
http://www.maib.detr.gov.uk/sd/9801/p3.htm#3
BC FERRIES RELEASES COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON PACIFICAT
WAKE AND WASH
http://news.bcferries.bc.ca/index.epl?cmd=show-release&id=153
Fast Ferry Program - Wake and Wash Study:
http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/corporate/pacificat-wake_study.html
MCA PUBLISHES NEW INFORMATION ON WASH/WAKE OF HIGH
SPEED CRAFT:
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/news/press_releases/454-99.htm
Wake Wash from High-Speed Craft (HSC)
http://www.dhi.dk/Consulting/Ports/WakeWash.htm
WAKE WASH FROM INCAT 91 HULL 048, AUSTRALIA AND
DENMARK
http://www.dhi.dk/dhiproj/Country/Denmark/wakewash/index.htm
http://www.dhi.dk/Consulting/Ports/index.htm
http://search.dhi.dk/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?CFGNAME=MssFind.cfg&grab_id=7701642&host_id=12&page_id=607&query=wake+wash
http://search.dhi.dk/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?CFGNAME=MssFind.cfg&grab_id=7701642&host_id=12&page_id=721&query=wake+wash
http://search.dhi.dk/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?CFGNAME=MssFind.cfg&grab_id=7701642&host_id=12&page_id=441&query=wake+wash
Research Project 420: Investigation of High Speed
Craft (HSC) on routes near to land or enclosed
estuaries: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/min/min48.htm
INCAT 046 FAST FERRY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
http://sites.netscape.net/cliffhood
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)
investigation: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/ENG/
follow links from here onwards (look for reports under
marine section) - Report Number M98M0061
NZ: http://www.marlborough.govt.nz/harbour.html , see:
Marlborough District Council has, during 2000, worked
towards the establishment of a bylaw to
address public safety risks caused
by the operation of fast ferries in Tory Channel and
Queen Charlotte Sound.
http://www.marlborough.govt.nz/harbour/fastferries_main.asp
INCAT Catamaran Commissioned into Navy:
http://minister.defence.gov.au/1999/17399.html
-------------------------------------------------------
CONTACTS:
How do I contact?
Rose Elphick, Senior Project Manager
Ports and Marine Division, Department of
Infrastructure
Level 23, Nauru House, 80 Collins St
Tel: 03 9655 6532 Fax: 03 9655 6558
Environment Australia, Referrals Unit
02 6274 1111
Steve Mercer:
DNRE: Mr Doug Miller, Manager Coasts
Ph: 03 9296 4541
Parks Vic: Bob Brinkman:
Department of Infrastructure South East Metropolitan
Region
Mr Jack Krohn,
Ph: 03 9881 8897
TT-Line: Venket Naidu:
Brown & Root (Project Consultants)
Ph: 03 9867 5911
Works approval info.:
Ian Morris, MPSC
Ministers (Vic) :
http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/home.nsf/HeadingPagesDisplay/About+UsMinisters?OpenDocument
Thwaites:
Minister for Planning, Minister for Health and Deputy
Premier, - The Hon John Thwaites MLA (may
need him with regards to infrastructure on land, and
he may be the minister approving exemption from
EES at State level, IF it happens)
Nauru House,
80 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Ph: (03) 9655 8900
Fax: (03) 9655 8684
Email
or
Minister for Transport - The Hon Peter Batchelor MLA
(Vicroads, train & maybe ferry!)
Responsibilities Minister for
Transport, Parliamentary House Manager
Nauru House
80 Collins St
Melbourne 3000
Ph: 9655 8683
Fax: 9655 8617
Email
Her portfolio includes: Marine Board of Victoria,
Victorian Channels Authority (shared with the
Treasurer)
Minister for Ports - The Hon Candy Broad MLC
Nauru House, 80 Collins St Melbourne 3000
Ph: 9655 6474
Fax: 9655 8681
E-mail:
and Minister for Conservation (she's not on her
department's web site, sorry - no phone!)
Sherryl Garbutt
(but I had her
in my e-mail address book)
Senator the Hon. Robert Hill
Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for
the Environment and Heritage
Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600
Tel: 02 6277 7640
Fax: 02 6273 6101
If people would like to discuss this with others who
are interested - I can easily set up a mailing list -
pls. let me know.
Regards
Snez
__________________________________________________
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