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More on the blog, don't want to believe that climate change is happening ? well you're about to find out why you're the problem. Read this if you dare.
Have you're say on the Frankston community blog on whether the global economy can support a "Green" transition.
During the recent "Spanish Revolution" of protest from mid-May to July protesters in Barcelona and Madrid, were fortunate to be visited by Uruguyan writer Eduardo Galeano. He wrote a book called "The Veins of South America" which Hugo Chavez gave to Barack Obama at a U.N. conference. Here he gives an impromptue interview and expresses some of the very pertinent views of the day. Only 10 mins so well worth listening to.
http://blip.tv/acampadabcn/eduardo-galeano-english-subtitles-5240552
Melbourne BMW Edge theatre hosts the Deakins Lecture
Professor Tim Jackson presents his thoughts on a viable,
sustainable future based on his book, "Prosperity without Growth",
Very worthwhile talk to listen to given the convulsions of the financial system.
http://www.themonthly.com.au/prosperity-without-growth-tim-jackson-2539
This 36 minute film clip of his speech in 2010 is even more relevant today.
United Nations World Economic and Social Survey 2011
How do we transition to the low/no carbon "GREEN ECONOMY"?
On July 5th U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon released the blueprint for the future
the World Economic & Social Survey, which details the transition to the Green Economy. Lost in the fracas of the U.S. debt ceiling debate this ground breaking document sets out what needs to be done, Downloadable from ;
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/policy/wess-2011.html
For a response to the WESS 2011 report, hit the "NEWS" button.
A "must see" event -
Catherine Deveny in Frankston !!!!!!!
Get along to the Frankston Arts Centre on the 10th of August to hear Catherine Deveny put the case that "AUSTRALIA HAS BECOME A "NANNY" STATE ......
and I'm sure that's not all. HIT THE "EVENTS" BUTTON FOR DETAILS.
FMI latest.
Work on stage 1 of the renovation of the Frankston Mechanocs Institute is nearing completion. The Hall and amenities have been totally gutted, the building occupies the same footprint but everything inside, except the stage and parts of the building which relate to heritage, has been replaced. Stage 2 will see the front part (facing Nepean Hwy) refurbished. The render over the original brickwork is to be removed and the steel windows replaced with replicas of the original timber glazing.
FRANKSTON MECHANICS INSTITUTE STAGE 1 NEAR COMPLETION.
Frankston Food Access Network Film Night
In association with Permaculture Melbourne FFAN is histing a screening of
"ANIMA MUNDI"
11TH AUGUST AT THE FRANKSTON LIBRARY
Hit the "EVENTS" button for details.......
Mayor and Councillors Community Awards March 2011
Peter Anscomb and Richard Laverack receiving the award at the March Council meeting.
Presenting the award is Mayor Bolam and Cr Wardle.
Friends of Frankston
Awarded for their significant contribution to the Frankston Community including proactively supporting local good governance, their participation in thecommunity decision making process, emphasis on sustainable development, regular
submissions to Council on planning and policy, film nights and climate change action group.
Neighbour Day in Groundswell Commuity Garden, Bentley Place off George St March 26, 2011
hit the events button.....
News outlet hits the south east, use the link below to find out the latest......
http://mayday-senews.weebly.com/
Zeitgeist 3 screens this Saturday 22nd Jan in Frankston
Follow the link for trailer, info and bookings.
http://zeitgeistmovingforwardfrankston.eventbrite.com/
Here's another graph.....it should make Senator Fielding worried, still he hasn't got much longer...
5 days later (12th Jan) oil is on the way up again.
Some graphs relating to economic growth, some don't paint a very pleasant picture, but some do, particularly the last picture...... (Posted 7th Jan 2011)
GDP is NOT a panacae for poverty, in fact as the graph below shows it can lead to extreme indebtedness and social and economic hardship, just ask the working class American citizen. Whilever the Wall St fat cats roll around in their millions, the truism is proved that the rich get rich and the poor get moved on.....and there's the "economic guru" Ross Greenwood ecouraging everyone to "get out there pick up a bargain and spend"..........
Energy consumption is very much aligned, and the reason for, economic growth, unfortunately it is also the reason for, Climate Change, Ocean acidification, species extinction etc etc etc. It's about time economists realised that the economy is a wholly owned subsiduary of the environment and as we see with moves to fix a price on carbon emissions, environmental degredation, pollution and the generation of waste will soon have to be accounted for.
The great spin continues as we are continually deceived about the cost of fuel in Australia. We are constantly told the price of a barrel of oil that the U.S. pays. This is completely irrelevant to Australian motorists who get their oil from Singapore. Tapis Crude is the product we pay for and is reflected in bowser prices, if the exchange rate wasn't so good we'd be paying over $1.40 per litre for petrol. When will the ABC, Allan Kohler and the other media spin doctors start to tell Australians the truth ?
Of course a lot of this argy bargy would be totally unecessary if Mayor Kris Bolam DID decide to make "BOLD" decisions. These are necessary for the future and a couple of these little 10MW Aerogenerator jobbers out in Port Phillip Bay could supply Frankston with ALL the renewable energy it would ever need.......
FRANKSTON COUNCIL'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, AND A RESIDENT'S RESPONSE.
Hit the news button...........
WORK HAS BEGUN !!
10 YEARS AGO the "Frankston Project" scheduled the Frankston Mechanics Institute for "redevelopment" (i.e.demolition). This was beyond the pale for some hardy residents, Councillors and helpfull historians who recognised the iconic nature of the site and building. Special mention needs to go to Mr Jim Lowden (secretary of the Mechanics Institute Association), Andy Webb, local historian (now sadly relocated to Gippsland) and Councillors Wachendorfer, Wardle and Hampton. Their persistence has secured funding of $1.3 million to restore one of the oldest buildings in town.
Work began last recently with the removal of asbestos added during the many "uodates" the old building has endured since 1888. Unfortunately the FMI is not currently listed on the Heritage Register as much of its heritage value had been lost with "modernisation". It is hoped that recognition will be afforded when the restoration is complete. This is the first step along that path that includes restoration of the front building, (added in 1915) to its orginal appearance of exposed brick with timber windows and awnings. It is hoped that by Christmas the new roof will be in position which will minimise possible damage due to the structure being open to the elements.
When completed a Committee of Management is to be appointed and the Hall and meeting rooms made available for community use. Hopefully some histircal memoranda will be preserved within the building which reflects the importance of the FMI to the development of Frankston as a City
The site at the rear of the FMI is already listed on the Heritage Register as it once housed "The Cannanuke Inn" the stopping point for travellers journeying from Melbourne to Sorrento.
A plaque commemorating the early beginnings of Frankston is placed on the stone Heritage entry gates to Frankston Park football ground. The restoration will provide a more tangible reminder of the very real historical importance of Frankston and it's early years.
A call is now going out to those residents who may have historical artefacts, photographs or pieces which may reflect the heritage nature and tradition of Frankston, hopefully to find a resting place in the place where it all began.
FRACKING HELL
BUSTING THE NATURAL GAS MYTH
Coal seam gas (CSG) is the latest "clean energy" source touted as the next energy source for Australia. Up to 40,000 CSG wells are proposed for Queensland and exploration wells are already being dug in Sydney's inner west - sad to say that Marrickville Council knows nothing about it.
A new film "GASLAND" is premiering around Australia this November, brought here by Josh Fox who had first hand experience of being offered $100,000 to allow a well to be drilled on his property. The problem being that in some cases the METHANE GAS escapes into ground water supplies and can produce enough gas that the water cathches fire !!!
‘‘Hydraulic fracturing'', or ‘‘fracking'', as it is colloquially known. In this, a hole is drilled hundreds of metres down and a mix of highly toxic chemicals and water is pumped down that hole under pressure, forcing the rock base to crack, thereby releasing the natural gas trapped in it.
In America, the natural gas industry was granted an exemption from normal environmental controls by the Bush administration, in 2005. Halliburton, the military-industrial corporation in which former Vice-President Dick Cheney is a major stakeholder, is at the forefront of natural gas exploration.
According to the Greens, the coal-seam gas industry (or CSG, as it is called here) is likely to drill up to 40,000 wells in Queensland alone by 2030, with each well occupying ‘‘a minimum of one hectare of prime agricultural land each''. Though the fracking technique used here differs slightly from that covered in Fox's film, the Greens claim there are still significant risks involved.
In fact, just this week, carcinogens were found in three CSG wells in Queensland. The operator of the Moranbah gas project, west of Mackay, said it was unlikely the chemicals had spread to water bores but testing would be carried out as a precaution.
According to an AAP report, that scare came just three weeks after carcinogenic chemicals were found in bore water at another CSG project in Queensland.
Nor are the potential risks associated with this energy source limited to Queensland. Coal seam gas projects are planned for Sydney, while in Victoria, the state government in May approved gas exploration in the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, near the Twelve Apostles.
‘Clean-burning natural gas' is not a fact, it's a slogan,'' he says. Methane, a key component of the gas produced, is up to 72 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2, and it is emitted all along the production path as well as when it is burnt.
‘‘So when you burn the gas, sure, it's cleaner than burning coal. But when you look at the life-cycle of developing it, you're on a par with some of our dirtiest fossil fuels.
‘‘They're trying to say natural gas will save the world, when in fact it's the opposite: natural gas is trying to destroy renewable energy by being its principal competition. This is fossil fuel, and fossil fuel is of the last century. This century's job is to make sure that's not what we're dependent on going forward.''
Here's a link to the Youtube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8
Here's a link to a great article by James Howard Kunstler commenting on a 60 Minutes programm on Coal Seam Gas http://kunstler.com/blog/2010/11/sixty-lame-minutes.html
Tim Jackson's economic reality check.
Professor Tim Jackson set the stage for the Greens to launch their New Green Deal last year at Melbourne University, based on his outstanding book "Prosperity Without Growth". His latest appearance (video clip) can be viewed here, courtesy "Ted Talks".
http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_jackson_s_economic_reality_check.html#
Time to end war against the earth
Vandana Shiva
November 4, 2010
Dr Vandana Shiva was in Australia recently to accept the Australian Peace Prize. An edited version of the speech she gave is here;
Brumby's Quarry Vision
Teagan Edwards from Yarra Climate Action has produced a great account of the State Labour Party's climate change "spin" in the lead up to the Nov 27 election. Teagan rightly points to recent contracts signed for the export of brown coal, and where will this coal be exported from ? Thats right, THE PORT of HASTINGS !
For the full article see and a couple of comments from YT;
http://ycan.org.au/2010/11/brumby%e2%80%99s-quarry-vision/comment-page-1/#comment-192
Frankston Council finds Port of Hastings road rail links through Frankston "unacceptable", pity it didn't think about it before Peninsula Link was approved..........
Freight plan ignores Hastings Port upgrade
BY MIKE MORRIS 02 Nov, 2010 Frankston Weekly.
FRANKSTON Council is surprised and "disappointed" that the development of the Port of Hastings has not been included in a major state government discussion paper on Melbourne's plans for future freight movements.
A council officer's report adopted by councillors at a recent meeting states: "Frankston City Council is disappointed that the Port of Hastings has not been considered as a part of Melbourne's freight network and believes this is a glaring omission that reduces the credibility of the entire document."
As the Port of Melbourne is expected to reach capacity in 2030 and Melbourne's freight movements tipped to quadruple by 2035, the Port of Hastings has been commissioned to become Melbourne's second port.
The state government sent a discussion paper to metropolitan councils in April to get feedback on proposed intermodal terminals (inland ports) for rail and road freight heading to and from the Port of Melbourne. There is one proposed for the south-east region, possibly adjacent to the Cranbourne rail line at Lyndhurst.
The state government has carried out five major strategies relating to freight since 2008 and the 2010 Shaping Melbourne's Freight Future discussion paper was the latest.
Frankston Council's response was largely in support of the issues raised in the discussion paper, but with some serious concerns.
"We express concerns in regards to the impact of increased freight rail and road transport volumes on the existing transport network," the council responded. "The Port of Hastings has been commissioned to become Melbourne's second port and Frankston City Council recommends that the Port of Hastings is immediately included in the planning of Melbourne's freight future. Any increase of freight movements at the port will directly impact on the metropolitan area, particularly in the south-east."
The report added that it was critical for the road and rail infrastructure to the port be provided urgently and that any further use of the Frankston railway line would not be acceptable.
Below is a joint statement about Westernport Bay that Simon Branigan from VNPA has written after a meeting and lots of email contact with WPPC, Blue Wedges, ACF, and EV. If your group agrees with the statement please send an email to Simon Branigan and your group's logo. SimonB@vnpa.org.au.
Joint Environment & Community Group Statement
on Westernport Bay & the planned expansion of the Port of Hastings
The undersigned groups call on the Brumby Government and Baillieu Coalition Opposition to commit to:
1. Halting current plans to expand the Port of Hastings due to the unacceptable risk it would pose to the environmental, health and recreational values of Westernport
2. Conducting, as a stand-alone process or as part of a broader state-wide review, a comprehensive, independent, science-based assessment. The review would update information on the ecological values of Westernport, the threats to these values and the way in which those values can be protected and the bay and its catchment used in an ecologically sustainable way
3. Including in this assessment comprehensive modelling of oil spill risk and dispersal following and extending on earlier studies.
The following statement outlines background evidence to our two requests:
The values of Westernport
Westernport Bay is a large, diverse marine and coastal ecosystem - a ‘wetland' - that covers 270 square kilometres and supports at least 1,350 species of marine animals. Supporting this biodiversity is the diversity of habitats, comprising extensive seagrass beds, Victoria's most extensive tracts of mangrove and saltmarsh habitats, unique channel habitats, sandy beaches and rocky platforms.
Westernport is an internationally significant wetland under the International Ramsar Convention. The bay is listed on the National Estate and contains three Marine National Parks supporting the maintenance of its biodiversity.
The Victorian Government's comprehensive ‘Westernport Bay Environmental Study 1973-1974', directed by Professor Maurice Shapiro, presented a comprehensive basic understanding of the bay's major features, establishing the complexity and the high ecological values of the ecosystem, and modelling the hydrodynamics of the tidal flows and other circulation patterns which distribute pollutants rapidly to all parts of the bay.
Tidal seagrass meadows and their associated mangrove-saltmarsh vegetation rank with tropical rainforests in supplying an effective set of services to the environment and to people, and contributing a buffer to climate change effects. They are also important nurseries for fish species, and important foraging, breeding and roosting habitat for many shorebird and wader species listed in the CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA bilateral treaties. To build the resilience of the bay to withstand the impacts of climate change and other environmental pressures, it is essential to maintain the integrity of the ecological system.
Unlike the large, deep, cold ports of the Northern Hemisphere, Westernport is warm and shallow - so shallow that 42% of it is exposed at low tide. At low tide the bottom of the bay therefore becomes mudflats covered in a green carpet of seagrass. These seagrasses play vital roles in maintaining the bay's health. Historical seagrass mapping studies have shown up to 70% of the original seagrass cover was lost in the 1970s when the channels were deepened by dredging for development of the port.
The ecological values of Westernport also underpin its immense health and recreational values, which include swimming, boating, education, tourism and fishing for locals and the broader public, and the rare opportunity to experience a sense of wilderness close to a great city. Phillip Island Nature Park within the bay is Victoria's recognised Premier Tourist Facility.
The threats to Westernport
The proposed expansion of the Port of Hastings is a major risk to Westernport's environmental and recreational values. The proposed container storage, port, road and rail development make this one of the most significant proposed infrastructure projects in Victoria.
Government's Port of Hastings Land Use & Transport Strategy includes proposals for major new and upgraded road and rail access corridors through the Peninsula and Gippsland regions. If implemented, these transport corridors would pose a major threat to biodiversity and social amenity, and would further contribute to the impacts of climate change. The strategy also proposes reclamation of significant mangrove areas and dredging in Westernport Bay.
Associated threatening processes with the Port of Hastings expansion plans include oil spills and oil leaks, dredging and disposal of spoil, introduction of marine pests, release of toxic antifouling substances, ship groundings due to navigation errors, and air emissions from ships and trucks.
Plans to expand the Port of Hastings would significantly increase the risk of accidents and hence of oil spills. The extent of its exposed mudflats at low tide makes Westernport particularly vulnerable to the ecological impacts of oil spills. Even a moderate oil spill (say 500 tonnes of bunker fuel) could cause catastrophic damage to the area's environmental values, and further damage would occur during attempted removals of oil from mangrove-saltmarsh, seagrass and reef habitats.
An oil spill could have a serious economic impact on coastal activities such as tourism and the fishing industry. The grounding in 1995 of the small ore ship Iron Baron at the mouth of the Tamar estuary in Tasmania, directly south of Westernport, demonstrated how ineffective the National Oil Spill Plan can be, and is even more likely to be within the bay of Westernport. Only 2% of the oil was recovered from the ship and the sea, with an investigation by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Resources finding that an estimated 7000 - 17000 Little Penguins were killed. Such an outcome is common for the spills that occur with high frequency around the world.
Port expansion plans would also require major channel dredging to accommodate larger ships, as revealed in Port of Hastings planning documents. The principal impacts of dredging not only seriously damage the seabed, but result in re-suspension of fine sediments, affecting water clarity and smothering sensitive bay habitats, including seagrass meadows.
The port expansion plans poses a number of unacceptable risks to Westernport and reinforces the need for a comprehensive assessment of the bay's habitats, values and threats.
A LETTER FROM ALLISON K.
Most of you may know that the Peninsula Link Freeway has started with destruction of old growth bushland, parallel to McClelland Drive between Skye Road and Robinsons Road (Section C on the Abigroup Plan)
The bushland has been cleared with bulldozers and then all the vegetation has been pushed up into windrows apparently waiting to be burnt.
It seems that many of the protocols we assumed would be put into effect have not even been attempted... rescuing of plant species, installation of habitat boxes for displaced animals, adequate number of on-ground animal rescuers.
Trees which have taken 120 + years to mature and form hollows (major importance to our wildlife) have gone and the destruction can be seen on some photos. Trees with hollows have been marked with a pink H and supposedly the hollow branches have been removed to be later installed as habitat.
Biosis sent some frog researchers down, who did not know much about frogs and not sure what they were looking for! Although the wetlands have been cordoned off the bush has been cleared right to the edge of the water.
DSE has been to the site and we hope are preparing an information document for distribution. Wildlife Vic have visited the site and said there is more damage than they expected. Pobblebonk/Willow Road Reserve is almost gone. All work has stopped as of Wednesday (today)
Many of the requirements appear not to have been carried out, and already the last remaining colony of a colour form of an orchid species has gone. Frankston Council passed a unanimous motion on Monday condemning the process.
Part of the Land for Wildlife Westerfield property has been compulsorily acquired and although the Welsh's are lodging an appeal at the end of June it appears that the clearing of their bushland will go ahead no matter what. They will not be able to access the acquired land after 1st June.
The Pines Flora & Fauna Reserve is next on the hit list and we cannot assume that its destruction will be handled any better than what we have already witnessed. Everyone needs to be asking how we can minimalise the impacts of clearing and what is being done to rescue as much of the flora as practical and lessen the loss of fauna.
We cannot stop this destruction, but we can send a clear message to all our politicians that they can't bleat about loss of biodiversity and what they are doing to preserve it, when they sign off on projects like this.
PREMATURE EMASCULATION -
It appears as though Abi Group has "arrived" too early. According to DSE officials NO authority to MOONSCAPE almost a kilometer of bush had been approved when work started 2 weeks ago.
How much precious Biodiversity lies buried in these windrows ? 3 cheers for the locals who went head on with the buldozers last week. Watch this space for a response from Peter Garrett
Why isn't there an "appointed person" at Local Government level (Frankston Council) to make sure this WORLDS WORST PRACTICE stops.
Hit the "NEWS" tab for more pictures.........
The Before and The After of the Bulldozer
April 28th Film screening - "THE YES MEN" - it's a HOOT.
Hit the "Events" button......
CRUDEN FARM OPEN DAY - hit the "Events" link....
Friends of Frankston film screenings are starting for 2010.
Wednesday 31st March, 7.30 pm
Uniting Church Hall, 16, High St, Frankston Mel 100A A9
http://www.endofamericamovie.com/
hit the link above for trailers, reviews etc.
2 0 1 0 STATE OF THE WORLD
Transforming Cultures
From Consumerism to Sustainabilit
A Worldwatch Institute Report on
Progress Toward a Sustainable Society
Available from http://www.worldwatch.org/sow10
OFF THE PLAN(ET)
The World Islands are a collection of man-made islands shaped into the continents of the world, located off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It will consist of 300 small private artificial islands divided into four categories - private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands. Each island will range from 250 to 900 thousand square feet in size, with 50 to 100 metres of water between each island.
Location: The World Islands will be located 4 kilometers off the shore of Jumeirah, close to the Palm Jumeirah, between Burj Al Arab and Port Rashid.
Sale detail: Each island will be sold to selected private developers and are expected to have pricing beginning at AED 25 million (US$ 6.85 million), for the AED 6.6 billion (US$ 1.8 billion) project.
I wonder where Haiti is on this map?
REQUIEM FOR COPENHAGEN.
Lets draw a line over 2009 and start again in 2010.
A Happy New Year to ALL the Frankston Community.
Having read this book ...there is no doubt in my mind that this is the greatest problem confronting mankind at this time and that it has reached the level of a state of emergency. ... [E]ducation of the public is critical to ensure that they understand the dimensions of the tasks and the consequences of failure. This book helps in that educative process. Please read it."
-
Professor David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria,
launching 'Climate Code Red' on 17 July 2008
Professor David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria,
launching 'Climate Code Red' on 17 July 2008
DAVID SPRATT, co-author of "CLIMATE CODE RED"
RETURNS TO FRANKSTON 24th NOVEMBER 6pm
FRANKSTON YACHT CLUB
One of the foremost climate analysts and commentators in Australia with the latest insights into climate science.
SCREENS AT THE FRANKSTON YACHT CLUB
NOVEMBER 24TH - 8pm - $5 "donation/entry".....
October News update-
Mechanics Institute Update + Library display
Councillors want to hear from YOU............. Hit the news button
"The long walk up the east shore of Port Phillip Bay"
and on to Copenhagen,
Be part of the "Bay Trail" walk from SORRENTO to MELBOURNE,
Friends of the Earth want to know how you feel about Climate Change, share a walk and a talk with Cam and Damien, send a postcard to Kevin to
"Go Hard in Copenhagen"
A BIG DAY OUT IN FRANKSTON....
SORRENTO 21st November,
ROSEBUD - 22ND NOVEMBER - "Laugh your ice off" with ROD QUANTOCK.
FRANKSTON 24th November
DAVID SPRATT + SPEAKERS + "THE AGE of STUPID" - Frankston Yacht Club.
"The Age of Stupid" is a Frankston Greens/Friends of Frankston co-production......
MELBOURNE 27th NOVEMBER.
Hit the Navigation bar above for programme details in Frankston.......
Further details contact Cam Walker ; cam.walker@foe.org.au
co-odinating with -
"A WALK IN THE PINES"
NOVEMBER 29th
Visit the "Save the Pines" website; http://www.savethepines.net/index.php/news/
ROD QUANTOCK IN FRANKSTON
NOVEMBER 29th SEAFORD COMMUNITY CENTRE.
"BUGGER THE POLAR BEARS, THIS IS SERIOUS"
"The Environment Shop" -
opening October 10th in Frankston.
http://www.environmentshop.com.au/
KNOW THE NUMBER.
Visit the Deutsche Bank website to get a real time picture of the increasing 'carbon count' of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. The billboard is opposite Grand Central Station in New York, and the number is increasing at a rate of 800 metric tonnes PER SECOND !!!!!
http://www.dbcca.com/dbcca/EN/;jsessionid=7889311F3B0BACB51886403B61B8A9D5.internet2
I still haven't stopped laughing, check out "Little Becky" and the demolition company.............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMhMA8GlPUw
Port of Hastings ANNOUNCEMENT NO GOOD NEWS FOR FRANKSTON.
On the 31st August Roads Minister Tim Pallas, (creator of the dreaded "P" Trap turn), announced further amenity impacts on Frankston with the "go ahead" for massive expansion.of the Hastings facility. Not only a Bitumen Plant, but the whole transfer of car importation and storage (Stage 1 Roll on Roll off cargo ships to Long Nose Point, then to Tyabb for storage) - All this destruction so the next "Docklands" can go ahead. in Melbourne.
Trucks will be tearing up the Frankston Bypass onto Eastlink and service the whole east and north of Melbourne. This facile effort to "grow, grow grow" shows no sign of respect of planetary limits, or of our worsening environmental situation.
The 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez remembers the destruction of a once vibrant community.
THE DESTRUCTION OF WESTERNPORT IS TOO HIGH A PRICE TO PAY. WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET.
Hit the "News" button above for "Bangoes the Mangroves"
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THIS WEBSITE FOR FURTHER ACTION.
M.A.V. ALERT .....
Transition Towns a must for municipalities, Energy Descent Action Plans best for the coming oil shocks I.E.A. warns.
Hit the "News" button above to find the future in your municipality. Google "MAV" for further details.
Dr Vandana Shiva and Global Warming.
Globlization, resource depletion and climate change were discussed by Shiva during the DC IFG/IPS teach-in. WalMart,Monsanto, Cargill, Carbon Trading 2 Parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5mnmq2PkDs (pt 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWuRO9y8bU&NR=1 (pt 2)
Brilliant expose of Carbon Trading as the privatisation of the atmosphere.
Dr Vandana Shiva discusses "Growth vs Sustainability"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuAwRZyVBVI (pt 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Rjg5atDQQ (pt 2)
Bernard Eddy (of the A.W.N.) with a letter to the Prime Minister on our looming water problems.
Hit the "NEWS" button.
F L O W
For Love Of Water.
"F L O W" , a great documentary that explores questions related to the imminent global water crisis. Is water a human right or a commodity to be traded on the "free market" ?
Maude Barlow and Dr Vandana Shiva put the case for water as a Human Right, and question the future of water privatisation.
http://www.flowthefilm.com/trailer
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, find the Frankston BUGs
The Bicycle Users Group meets regularly !
Contact David Larsen at frankstonbug@gmail.com
Community Forum - Green Transport,
Frankston Life Saving Club
Janet Rice
Janet Rice is Executive Officer for the Sustainable Melbourne Alliance for Transport and Urbanism.
She is a former Councillor and Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, former Chair of the Metropolitan Transport Forum and former Vice President of the Victorian Local Governance Association. She also works as a consultant facilitator working in the fields of community engagement, strategic organisational planning and sustainability. Above all she is passionate about acting on climate change, and works with community organisations and through The Greens in facilitating the shift in our community to a zero carbon future.
Co sponsored by Frankston Branch of the Australian Greens, Friends of Frankston, and the Frankston North Community Group, Inc.
Alan Bryson, Secretary, Frankston Branch, AGV
Phone 03 59714 724 Mobile 0408334032
For a teriffic talk on "The Tragedy of Suburbia" by James Howard Kunstler hit the following link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1ZeXnmDZMQ&NR=1
HOT NEWS ; Frankston Council adopts Sustainability Policy
Everythings gonna be alright now. See the News section.
Budget / Council Plan update, 28th June.
News section;
Council unanimously passes budget. Council Plan amendment commences
Sustainability Framework.
14th June update.
News section ;
Frankston Pier closed for reconstruction - Fish told to relocate to Seaford.
Budget, Council Plan open for comment, -
want to have a say on how your rates are spent ?
FRANKSTON
Since the 1840's early settlers have been making the journey from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula a well worn path that hugs the Port Phillip Bay shoreline. Frankston's origins began 40 klms south east of Melbourne at the Cananuke Inn, William Davey's 'resting place' on the journey.
From these humble beginnings a City of 120,000 people has grown, whose future, and that of the City, is undergoing a transformation. What is not commonly known is the 150 + year history of Frankston. We are fortunate to have in the community those who feel it a Civic Duty to make the past live alongside the future.
A committment to a sustainable future is ;
"to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs". Gro Harlem Brundtland, "Our Common Future"
Frankston, and the whole world, faces this dilema
We sincerely acknowledge the traditional owners of this wonderland, the Boonerung People, and past, present and future members of this proud nation. We have much to learn from them still, as we seek to restore what has been lost, what is in danger and what is to be celebrated.
The Frankston Community Connection is for the community of Frankston to tell it's story, and keep up to date with local news and views.
Friends and members of Friends of Frankston send the website into Cyberspace on the 27th, thanks to the lovely Jenelle from auCommunity Domains for helping us celebrate.
17th May UPDATE ;
Council releases ESD Guidelines for public comment. "News' section.
READING ROOM ADDED,
articles, clips of eminent thinkers on categorised headings , economics first.
UPDATE ; Bill McKibbon made a flying visit to Australia and Philip Adams sat down and interviewed him, in the Reading Room.
HUMAN SIGN LATEST = MAY 17TH UPDATE.
They're getting bigger and better.
Link to Channel 9 news coverage ;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbArzwFrHmk
The 300 metre long message filled with up to 5,000 people. BIG UP's to ALL at Bayside Climate Action Group and http://www.live.org.au/
Human Sign, St Kilda Veach 2009. - Photo by Aerofoto.
10th May UPDATE ;
More on Council governance in the"News" section
5th MAY ; NEW BLOG TOPICS, NEW LINKS, BIGGER DIRECTORY
3rd MAY NEWS UPDATE ; MORE STORM SURGE FILM
Kananook Creek.......
SEE THE 'NEWS' SECTION.
2nd MAY NEWS UPDATE ; STORM SURGES AGAIN
23rd April. Blogs Away....
Follow the links to have your say on the Frankston Community Blog, if there's a topic you'r bursting to raise and it's not on the Blog, send it to info@frankston.vic.au and it will be.
12th April. News Update.
Frankston Council resolutions.
Good governance on trial....
Section 86 community committee of management for Frankston Mechanics Institute...
