Citizens voice concerns at Sugarloaf hearings

By Melissa Meehan
LOCAL residents, representatives and organisations last week challenged the State Government’s Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline at the Public Hearings held at Chateau Yering.
The hearings, a chance for individuals and groups to express their opinion on the controversial pipeline, began on Wednesday 2 April, and are expected to be completed on Thursday 17 April.
Last week local business and interest groups were given the opportunity to comment on the project.
Former Federal Greens Candidate Steve Meacher spoke on behalf of Healesville Environment Watch Incorporated (HEWI) and Communities Combating Climate Crisis (C4).
He spoke of the “arrogant disregard” for community consultation describing the hearings as something similar to the Titanic.
“It seems these hearings are permitted only to consider rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic while the captain insists on sailing full steam ahead at the iceberg,” Mr Meacher said.
Mr Meacher asked that the advisory committee recommend that the minister withdraw his decision that the project go ahead without an Environmental Effects Statement (EES).
“We would ask the committee to recommend a full Environmental Effects Statement, which would be properly conducted over an extended period of time allowing the necessary ecological surveys to be conducted in ‘due season’ and permitting a proper opportunity for public review and comment,” Mr Meacher said.
Dixons Creek resident Graeme Miller put forward his opinion that claimed water savings arguments made by the government were flawed.
“We do not believe that the savings of water used as an argument for the pipeline can be achieved for a multitude of reasons,” Mr Miller said.
He also highlighted that the pipeline would cause “severe interruptions” to tourist trade in the area.
“It goes without saying that under the proposed pipeline route there would be severe interruptions along the Melba Highway which would impact wineries and wine tourism,” Mr Miller said.
“Any loss of trade may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
Mr Miller said the major concern for residents was that the committee did not allow for a full examination of the impact of the proposal across Victoria.
Fred Lyons spoke on behalf of the 3775 Pipeline Group.
He said it was difficult to comment on the project or the proposed route when it was still a “work in progress”.
“The project has been pushed through without any proper consultation with local communities,” Mr Lyons said.
“Our communities have endured high levels of tension and worry over the project.”
He said he found it difficult to understand how the government could make an informed decision without all the facts.
“The Environmental Strategy and data is incomplete and inadequate which makes it difficult for the minister to make a totally informed decision,” Mr Lyons said.