SIETA moves to compulsarily acquire the Westerfield propertySIETA (The freeway builders) have served the Welsh family with a notice of acquisition for the Westerfield bushland. The high value and unique nature of this site was made clear in the bypass Environmental Effects Statement (EES). In an addendum to the EES the Victorian Planning Panel stated that the 'ecological vegetation class' of the site is literally irreplaceable. This is the largest remaining intact patch of Grassy Woodland on the Mornington Peninsula - a vegetation class that is unbelievably rich in wildflowers including numerous species of orchids, lillies, native peas etc. It is also home to a diverse range of fauna including numerous birds species, sugar-gliders, antechinus, bush rats, bats, reptiles and insects inter-dependent with the flora. From the addendum to the Peninsular-link Environmenatal Effects Statement: "The Panel also enquired as to the likelihood of finding an offset, in particular for Herb-rich Piains Grassy Wetland and Grassy Woodland (Westerfield property patch 46a). DSE has undertaken a reasonably thorough expioration of potential offset sites. Neither DSE mapping, the DSE BushBroker system nor consultation with ecological consultants has identified any new sites of Herb-rich Plains Grassy Wetland. There is one known site, however the area is subject to an approved development plan (including ail required offsets) by the relevant Council and DSE. The site is within the Urban Growth Boundary and may be prohibitively expensive to purchase. There are two smaller areas of Herb-rich Plains Grassy Wetland that occur on private property. Neither have been assessed for their quality and it is unlikeiy that they are large enough to meet the offset requirements for the proposed Frankston Bypass." If the government goes ahead with their plan to destroy this unique place, it will be yet another environmental tragedy perpetrated on the State by this government. The freeway is not actually necessary - but rather a make-work initiative - yet another example of economy at the expense of environmental. A massive amount of investment in environmental management employment is necessary to reverse or even slow the now precipitous collapse of Victoria's flora, fauna and the ecosystems that support them. But apparently jobs protecting the environment are not as valued as jobs generated by needlessly destroying it. |