In September news, Snow Gum art auction for Forests collective, Koalathon is happening, Peace walk against AUKUS support, Sustainable Cities Broken Buses Map, Victorian offshore wind power is go, gas industry lobby reveal, PFAS in the Murray river, plus more!
Forests Collective Snow Gum Art Auction
Come along to the Snow Gum Art Auction for Forests Collective event 13 September 3pm-5pm at Fitzroy public gallery. Here is the GalaBid link for online bidding. To contribute an artwork, please email [email protected] thanks!
Koalathon 2026 is happening!
Koalathon is happening so on your marks for 25 October! Get walking, riding or running along a circuit in eastern Melbourne. If you can't participate you can sponsor someone to do the event, details here.
Peace Walk Against AUKUS support
Here is an update and please show your support for the Peace Walk Against AUKUS to help us cover food, fuel, gear, medical and campsite accommodation costs, update & donate here.
Sustainable Cities Broken Buses Map
Sustainable Cities collective launched their Broken Buses Map of the Western suburbs. The tool allows residents to drop a pin, and share their story of how they are impacted by the broken bus network in Melbourne's west. It also includes a legend demonstrating the level of support from decision makers for transformational bus reform, along with a link to their candidates pledge for this year's state election. Head to Better Buses for Melbourne’s West to check it out!
Good news as Victoria’s offshore wind auctions mark the beginning of a new industry
Friends of the Earth welcomes today’s much anticipated announcement that Victoria’s Carroll government will kick off the first offshore wind auction in the country, saying it marks the beginning of a new industry that will transform the state’s energy system. “This is the critical next step for offshore wind to make this new industry a reality in Victoria and deliver on the promise of regional jobs and climate action” said Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth’s renewable energy spokesperson. The auctions will provide the certainty needed for projects to ultimately proceed to final investment decision, construction and operation. Read more.
One Nation’s broken promise for Gippsland renewable energy jobs
One Nation has announced it would cancel renewable energy projects across Australia, including offshore wind in Gippsland if elected in Victoria. With the Yallourn coal fired power station set to close by 2028, offshore wind represents a significant jobs boost for Gippsland that would create an estimated 600 permanent jobs and as many as 5,000 jobs for contractors and businesses during the construction phase. It will provide essential new electricity supply as the coal station closes.
“Local industry are already preparing for thousands of jobs in offshore wind. How will One Nation explain taking away these opportunities from local businesses and workers?” asked Wendy Farmer, President of Voices of the Valley and Friends of the Earth Gippsland Organiser. “These decisions would deny Victoria of energy. Distributed energy will give Victoria reliable, affordable energy, which will support communities facing cost of living pressure”. Read more.
Find out everything the Gas Industry doesn’t want you to know
If you read The Herald Sun or The Australian recently, you'd begin to think Victorians are furious about being denied a gas connection on a new property. A poll of just over 1,000 people, splashed across the paper as "voter backlash," is being used to pressure our new Premier Ben Carroll into scrapping the rule that new homes built from 2027 won't be connected to the aging gas network. There's a detail buried in plain sight that most voters are able to see pretty quickly though: the Redbridge poll was commissioned by the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association — the gas industry's own lobby group. Read more.
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