Letter to Minister Stitt, Victorian Minister for the Environment. You can send a similar letter to Minister Stitt here
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These are my comments and thoughts on issues associated with our collective journey towards a sustainable future.
Letter to Minister Stitt, Victorian Minister for the Environment. You can send a similar letter to Minister Stitt here
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The proposal to clear the road during winter from Windy Corner to the ANARE shed at Rocky Valley will destroy cross country skiing access and amenity. The existing snow-covered road provides access to cross country skiers and snow shoe users free of wheeled vehicles.
This access route provides a quiet, scenic and sheltered route for cross country skiers and snow shoe users to access and use the XC trail network including the Nordic Bowl. The route is wide enough to accommodate many skiers.
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The road that Falls Creek resort wants to keep cleared all Winter. |
Current users of this area are cross country skiers of all ages and abilities, snow shoe users and XC racers who train there regularly and compete in events such as the Kangaroo Hoppet.
Clearing the road to create additional carparks will prevent current users from skiing on it and put spoil down the slopes above and below it. Road traffic would destroy the serenity of the current XC ski area including the Nordic bowl. This will ruin the cross country ski experience and amenity at Falls Creek, which is the main reason our family visits the resort.
On our last visit our daughter skied on the lifts for 4 days, I skied on the lifts for one day and cross country for 4 days. We used the Windy Corner shelter and cafe every day.
The proposal to provide new XC facilities close to or next to Rocky Valley dam is ill-considered. This area gets significantly more adverse weather than the sheltered Nordic Bowl, XC trails and currently uncleared road. Frequent adverse weather at or close to the dam includes very strong winds, a much higher chill factor and poor visibility.
If this proposal proceeds we will be unlikely to visit Falls Creek again in winter. Windy Corner and the existing XC trails are the main reason our family visits Falls Creek.
I recommend improving bus services to Falls Creek as an alternative to providing more parking for private cars. This would provide increased access for more visitors without further damaging the alpine environment and experience that people come to Falls Creek for.
You can provide your feedback on this proposal (closing Sunday 18 Sep 2022) here.
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The section of road they want to keep cleared in Winter |
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Sking down to Nordic Bowl |
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Nordic Bowl |
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ANARE shed |
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Windy Corner car park, the road stops here in Winter |
Peter Dutton MP has the front running to become the Liberal National opposition leader in the federal government.
It is worth remembering some of his recent political history, Peter Dutton:
Alex Dyson, Independent candidate for Wannon
Allegra Spender, Independent candidate for Wentworth - ELECTED
Andrew Wilkie. Independent MP for Clark - ELECTED
Caz Heise, Independent candidate for Cowper
Claire Ferres Miles, Independent candidate for Casey
David Pocock. Independent candidate for ACT Senate - ELECTED
Despi O’Connor, Independent candidate for Flinders
Dr Monique Ryan, Independent candidate for Kooyong - ELECTED
Dr Sophie Scamps, Independent candidate for Mackellar - ELECTED
Georgia Steele, Independent candidate for Hughes
Dr Hanabeth Luke, Independent candidate for Page
Helen Haines, Independent member for Indi - ELECTED
Jo Dyer, Independent candidate for Boothby
Kate Chaney, Independent candidate for Curtin - ELECTED
Kate Hook, Independent candidate for Calare
Kim Rubenstein, Independent candidate for ACT Senate
Kylea Tink, Independent candidate for North Sydney - ELECTED
Leanne Minshulll, Independent candidate for TAS Senate
Nicolette Boele, Independent candidate for Bradfield
Rebekha Sharkie, Independent member for Mayo - ELECTED
Zali Steggall, Independent MP for Warringah - ELECTED
Zoe Daniel, Independent candidate for Goldstein - ELECTED
I got involved in politics are working on campaigns to protect Victoria's native forests. Elections presented an opportunity to get change for the better. However, we were not able to "make Australia woodchip free in 1993"...
I joined the Greens and was the Greens candidate for Kooyong in 2001, 2004 and 2007 running against Petro Georgiou, a decent and friendly man who showed great compassion to refugees.
I resigned from the Greens in 2011. All political parties carry baggage and pollute democracy. MPs mostly represent their party as their first priority rather than their constituents.
I ran as an independent (unsuccessfully) for the state seat of Burwood in the 2014 Victorian election.
People mostly join political parties because the believe in something and want to effect change. I was focussed on protecting forests, the environment, climate change and transitioning to renewable energy.
However, I found myself diverted into lengthy often toxic state and national council meetings. My energy was diverted into internal battles over policy, priorities and pre-selection. All political parties also engage in branch stacking.
When I send emails to Josh Frydenberg asking him to represent my views in the federal parliament he refuses to do so. Instead I get a spiel from him on what "their policy" is. He has also blocked me on Twitter without any explanation. He's just not a good representative for me and many others.
I am volunteering for Monique Ryan's campaign for Kooyong because I believe she will be the best person to represent Kooyong in the federal parliament.
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Vote 1 Monique Ryan. Remember to number EVERY square. |
We want a Federal representative who takes the time to listen, and act and represent us on the important issues - including climate change, an anti-corruption commission, decent treatment of refugees and protection of our environment.
The campaigns such as Monique Ryan in Kooyong, Zoe Daniel in Goldstein, Allegra Spender in Wentworth and other "teal" seats are fantastic and inspiring.
Thousands of people are engaged and active.
Democracy has been restored to citizens, breaking the shackles of party politics.
Simon Holmes a Court has provided funding for many of these campaigns via the Climate 200 with no strings attached. This has enabled local independent campaigns to compete against well-funded political party campaigns.
One of the great things about Dr Monique Ryan's campaign is meeting new people from all walks of life and getting out and about door knocking, riding bikes and visiting cafes.
Over 2,000 volunteers are united in a common goal - to get Dr Ryan elected in Kooyong.
This is the first time in Kooyong's history that there has been a real contest for the seat.
This might be the only chance we get, let's make it happen!
With the long 6 week election campaign drawing to a close there is a buzz in the air in Kooyong.
Monique Ryan, the genuine independent for Kooyong, now has a team of over 2000 volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life.
Josh Frydenberg covets the seat of Kooyong and is desperate to cling to office.
While Frydenberg still has his nose in front (don't believe the polls) he has ramped up familiar dirty tricks.
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Volunteers pizza night |
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Door knocking team |
How to vote cards are a window into candidate leanings and possible political deals.
Monique Ryan, the community independent candidate for Kooyong, has published the How to Vote instructions below.