Friends of the Earth (FoE) Melbourne  is a non-for profit organisation working for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable future. The international Friends of the Earth network is  active in 77 countries with over 2 million members. Read more.

In November 2018, Victorians will head to the polls. With community concern about climate change on the rise, it's an issue that all political parties must address in detail.

Our state is undergoing profound change as the population grows, entire industries go to the wall, and climate change starts to really impact on our landscapes, economy and lifestyles. Yet Melbourne continues to sprawl, as low density development covers valuable farmland and remnant vegetation, supported by transport infrastructure that will perpetuate our current reliance on cars.

An election provides all parties with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the interconnected issues of climate, energy, social justice, and the economy.

Environment group Friends of the Earth welcome the Andrews government's announcement Geelong will now be home to Victoria's newest wind energy manufacturing facility, the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub.

“This is exactly the kind of renewable energy investment Victoria needs to create long-term jobs in climate action” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy spokesperson.

The facility will employ 27 people manufacturing wind turbine hubs for the Berrybank and Dundonnell wind farms – successful auction winners as part of Victoria's Renewable Energy Target – and act as a service and training centre.

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne to require a full Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for AGL’s gas import facility planned for Crib Point in Westernport Bay. It will also consider the high-pressure pipeline proposed by APA which will connect the gas plant to the state’s gas supply.

“This is a welcome move” said Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker. “Given the likely environmental impacts, it is essential that there be a full assessment of the impacts of AGL’s planned gas facility and the associated pipeline.”

We are pleased to see that the EES will investigate the ‘potential environmental, community and cultural impacts of the project including impacts on native vegetation, wildlife, marine life and Aboriginal cultural heritage’.

Victorian environment groups are renewing calls for the creation of new parks and reserves to protect native forests from logging after the release of an audit report revealing state owned logging agency VicForests has failed to achieve the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate.

Critically important habitat for Victoria’s faunal emblem, the Leadbeater’s Possum is being logged right now in the Blue Range near Taggerty.   

Despite being notified of the critical habitat that is likely being logged in breach of the law, the environment department are making excuses as to why logging should continue and refusing to investigate. 

Take action - Ask the Minister to stop the logging here

Victoria will go to the polls in less than two months. Community members concerned about climate change impacts are still waiting for opposition leader Matthew Guy and the Liberal party to release a policy to tackle climate change.

Matthew Guy will give a high-profile address on Victoria’s economic future at the Committee for Economic Development Australia in a fortnight. This speech is an opportune moment for the opposition to lay out its plan to rein in emissions and prepare our economy for climate impacts.

Goongerah Environment Centre and Friends of the Earth have welcomed the announcement of an independent inquiry into the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning’s (DELWP) regulation of logging in Victoria. 

Friends of the Earth and GECO spokesperson Ed Hill said: “Under DELWP’s approach to regulation of logging, scientific advice is rejected, the community is sidelined and not listened to, laws are ignored and hundreds of excuses are generated as to why no regulatory action can be taken.”

Goongerah Environment Centre and Friends of the Earth have welcomed the announcement of an independent inquiry into the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning’s (DELWP) regulation of logging in Victoria. 

Friends of the Earth and GECO spokesperson Ed Hill said: “Under DELWP’s approach to regulation of logging, scientific advice is rejected, the community is sidelined and not listened to, laws are ignored and hundreds of excuses are generated as to why no regulatory action can be taken.”

IMAGE: Unlawful logging of rainforest in the Serpentine Creek rainforest site of significance near Cann River, the subject of recent failed court action by DELWP.