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.

Victoria's Daniel Andrews government has made a dramatic announcement that it will roll out cheap solar power to more than half a million homes if re-elected, committing to a $1.2 billion plan that would offer rebates and no-interest loans so households can install rooftop solar. 

Environment group Friends of the Earth commend Premier Andrews for the announcement, and call on opposition leader Matthew Guy to match the Premier's ambition on renewable energy.

“The Andrews government's ambitious solar plan is exactly the kind of society-wide rollout of renewable energy Victoria needs to act on climate change” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's Yes 2 Renewables coordinator.

With the Victorian state election only 100 days away, we’re working hard to ensure that all political parties take meaningful climate and environmental policies to the election.

We’ve been in campaign mode since last August but now we’re getting to the serious part of the race. Back in the 2014 state election, FoE’s smart approach to campaigning helped deliver the key environmental wins that were achieved, including:

• The permanent ban on fracking in the state
• The extension of the moratorium on onshore conventional gas drilling
• Our campaign to win the commitment to develop a Victorian Renewable Energy Target (the VRET), and
• Helping secure the safe passage of the re-built Climate Change Act through the Upper House.

This is a high stakes election.

This role would be a temporary addition to the Operations Collective to Friends of the Earth Melbourne, who also serve as the Secretariat for Friends of the Earth Australia. The role is to project manage our finance system upgrade for both Friends of the Earth Australia and Melbourne. They will work in direct collaboration with the Operations Collective to project manage the design and implementation of the system.

We all know that the state election which will happen on November 24 is a high stakes one for climate and environment policy. With the Coalition threatening to tear up the state renewable energy target (VRET) and gas moratorium we worked so hard to achieve, we have a lot to lose if we cannot shift their current policies.

With less than four months til the election, we are working as hard as we possibly can to ensure all political parties go to the election with solid environment and climate policies. We’re working on the ground with regional and suburban communities, in places as diverse as Maryborough in north central VIC to Bass, on the eastern fringe of Melbourne.

On July 14th 2018, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, and Gunai Traditional Owner Aunty Doris Paton formally announced the creation of the Brataualung Forest Park in the Strzelecki Ranges.

The name Brataualung refers to one of five clans of the Gunai tribe and was the nominated name for the Reserve by the GunaiKurnai Elders Council after a Government naming process.

The new Reserve covers 2,400 ha of land, including key cool temperate rainforest catchments in the Agnes River, Franklin River, Dingo Creek, Albert River and College Creek.

The new reserve is the result of more than 20 years campaigning in the region by many individuals and local groups, particularly Friends of Gippsland Bush, and Friends of the Earth.

National environment Group Friends of the Earth welcomes the Andrews government's twin announcements of the Grampians New Energy Taskforce and funding for the Asia-Pacific Renewable Energy Centre at Federation Uni in Ballarat, saying they can take the next step by establishing a Victorian Climate Change Action Fund.

“By making investments like these the Andrews government is acknowledging the importance of acting on climate change” said Act on Climate Vic coordinator Leigh Ewbank.

“To make sure Victorians are getting the most bang for buck the Andrews government can take the next step and establish a Victorian Climate Change Action Fund to address this critical issue.”

“A designated grant scheme can ensure that the needs of communities, small businesses and local government are being met by the state when it comes to acting on climate change” added Ewbank.

Two project proposals – the Crib Point AGL gas import project and the Kawasaki Hydrogen Energy Supply pilot – have raised community concerns over the environmental, social and economic risks to the values of Western Port Bay.

Save Westernport and Westernport & Peninsula Protection Council are hosting a rally supported by Environment Victoria, the Victorian National Parks Association, Friends of the Earth and Blue Wedges Coalition.

Sunday July 1, at the Hastings Foreshore.

Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy has released his roads package today, marking the move back to the 1960's roads mania.

With Melbourne's population growth we need 21st planning and investment in efficient transport solutions.

"The community will be appalled to see this plan presented as a solution to the congestion in Melbourne,” Rachel Lynskey, Friends of the Earth Sustainable Cities coordinator said today. “These projects will lock us into car transport for decades to come, and over time increasing congestion again."

These mega road projects will not get Melbourne moving. Building roads now only gives drivers short relief before the roads fill again. We then require more infrastructure to tackle the continued congestion.

The last state budget saw over $2 invested in roads for every $1 spent on public transport. Despite growing demand, the short changing of our public transport means we won't be ready to keep Melbourne moving in the future. Mr Guy’s plan will shift funding even more strongly in favour of mega roads at the expense of public transport.

Melbourne's continued investment in roads is at the expense of public transport and a world-class rail network. The community are asking instead that our politicians commit to increasing freight on rail, major rail upgrades, and ongoing expansion of our bus and tram networks.

The community are also asking for investment instead to be made in the “Melbourne Metro 2” project.

“To tackle congestion and commuter traffic we urge the commencement of planning and construction of Melbourne Metro 2. This connection of western Melbourne suburbs and the new Fisherman’s Bend redevelopment with the CBD would create thousands of local jobs, and keep Melbourne moving for the future” said Ms Lynskey.


For more comment contact:  Rachel Lynskey, 0481 288 21