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August 11

Conserve H2O Desal We Say No!

Today was the youth organized Protest against Desalination

Ironically we had wet weather! What better way to show Australia that water capturing methods rather then desalination is the way to go.

The weather How ever did not deter a large group fired up locals from supporting our cause, the cause against desalination.

A massive group of people young to old assembled out side the whalebone signs and banners were distributed to everyone. The signs displayed messages that pinpointed our stance to desalination. Here are some of the messages displayed:

Stop the horror

Pass the salt

Invest in conservation, not desalination

Toxic shock

Save the fish

Say no to desal

And quite humorously was this slogan: DESAL SUCKS

Before the group left on their march Jane cantwell and I were interviewed by a channel 10 news reporter. The reporter asked numerous questions about why we were against desal and what the march was about. However I don’t believe I was able to answer these questions to my best ability if I could turn back the clock there is so much more I would have said. Here is what I should have said:

Desalination is not the answer to Victoria’s water woes the problems of desalination can be shown in a simple equation

Desalination=

High electricity use=

Fossil fuel burning=

Greenhouse gas emissions=

Global warming=

Climate change=

Extreme drought=

Desal?

It’s obvious that desalination especially at the size of the plant that is proposed is not a good idea.

The 3.1 billion should be invested in water conservation and water saving infrastructure rather then massive electricity guzzling desalination plant. Only after every possible option has been explored should we even consider desalination.

Energy use is not the only problem with desalination some of the other concerns are: the high salt concentrated brime that is distributed back into the very water that will yet again be desalinated, the solid waste that is produced by the plant (4 truck lodes a day), the smell, the noise emissions, the effects it will have on the Bunurong marine park, its effects on local tourism and the effects it will have on locals.

An Environmental Effects Statement (EES) must be done. We must lobby the government on this issue. The power is in our hands.

After the interview the group crossed the road to assemble in front of the big mine whistle (opposite Safeway). We then began our march up McBride Street, which had been closed off by the Wonthaggi police for us. While we marched the group chanted slogans against desalination.

CONSERVE H2O, DESAL WE SAY NO!

DESAL WE SAY NO!

NO TO DESAL!

The group quickly marched out to the parkland in front of the council offices were we listened to locals air their concerns over desal. There was a great speech by a man from the Your Water, Your Say Action Group that was both inspiring and informative. All during the talk’s water pelted down upon us drenching us all and our signs, it was as if nature wanted to point out that desalination is a bad decision because rain is still largely evident in Victoria.

Once all the talks were over locals hung around to chat to and congratulate one another. I would like to say a big thank you to all the dedicated protesters who braved the elements to stand up for their views, I would also like to thank all the great members of the Your Water, Your Say Action Group who helped the youth in organizing this great event. I suspect this protest is only the 2^nd of many. Umbrella for the mean time keep the rain coming!

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August 10

The Nature Park Excursion

On Thursday the 9th 21 students attended a water saving excursion. The excursion was to the Phillip Island Nature Park. The day was kindly organized by a lady called Katrina; it was an initiative to link schools up with industry on the topic of water saving.

At 10am all students assembled at the bus loop and waited for our bus that was kindly driven by Mr.Tatts.

When we arrived at the Phillip Island Penguin Park we were welcomed in and escorted to an auditorium room for a power point presentation about the Nature Park and its history of amazing efforts. The work that the Nature Park does is fantastic and a real inspiration for us all!

It was very sad to hear what human settlement has done to the number of little penguins on the island. There is now only one penguin colony left from the original 9 that pre existed before human settlement on the island. The number of penguin’s now sadly only ranges from 400 to 500.

The Philip Island Nature Park has been successful in obtaining numerous grants to help them with there water saving and conservation efforts.

They have reduced there environmental impact in many ways. Three of which are; waste, energy and water.

The Nature Park is an accredited sustainable institution and covers all the necessary guidelines for their sustainable title.

Some of there water saving initiatives have been to install a number of enormous water tanks to be used for toilet flushing, weed spraying and car washing.

The toilets of all the parks have all been upgraded to dual flush systems that only flush for as long as you have your finger on the button. The male toilets have been changed into waterless urinals and some of the toilets have been converted to composting toilets.

All hot water in the toilet taps has been switched off to reduce the water used when people wait for water to heat up.

Outdoor showers have also been turned off because the operators realized it is a waste providing this service as showers are again had at home so there is no point in doubling up.

Water has also been conserved in the kitchens and cleaning processes of the park.

The park has also become a waste wise organization, all gift shops now have stopped using plastic bags and instead use recycled paper bags. Email printing and photocopying have also heavily been reduced in the office sector.

Energy use has also been targeted. The Nobbies center is completely solar powered. They have a vast array of panels on the roof with which they only utilize 10% of the energy the other 90% is sold back into the grid for others to use.

After the speech we were invited to walk around the penguin park information complex for a while.

After the penguin parade we drove to the Nobbies to look around the new center. The group did a tour of the information sector before we went on a walk down to the blowhole. It was so windy! When we returned we had lunch, hot chips!

At this time we had to farewell and thank our great tour guide.

We then got back into the bus and headed for Churchill Island. The farm was beautiful and all students had a ball exploring! The petting zoo was a big hit! We explored the farm for around a half an hour before we had to return to the bus for the trip back to school

I think I can safely say that all students enjoyed the day exploring the wonders of our region. I would like to thank all those involved in the day, Stevo, Katrina, Mr.Tatts, our tour guide, the nature park and the students.

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August 06