Community-funded solar panels may be about to change our skyline – and fill our pockets.

Within a year and a half, 400 photovoltaic panels could be glinting from a single commercial roof in the City of Yarra – and all of them will be owned by the local community.

The medium-scale solar project would be the first of its kind in Australia. It’s kicking off next Saturday, May 19, at a public meeting in Clifton Hill organised by Yarra Climate Action Now.

Neil Erenstrom, a volunteer with the group, says they’re conducting a pre-feasibility study and have begun to identify possible hosts, such as factories, schools or large retailers.

Continue reading Community Funded Solar on Michael’s website (also published on The Age as Something new under the sun)

This is a project which the YCAN Energy Working Group is very excited to get right behind and support. Click on the link to find out more about the Energy Working Group.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

The Council introduced the role on the advice of the Community Garden Advisory Committee, itself set up as result of clear community demand for gardening opportunities in the community space. At the time of writing, submissions could still be made (to Althea.Wright@yarracity.vic.gov.au by Monday 7th May), and hopefully enough went in to convince the Council that the community demand is still there.

If it is after 7th May, you could still leave a comment below, and we’ll pass them on to the councillors.

The current Urban Agriculture Facilitator giving community advice at a compost workshop, jointly organised by YCAN and Cultivating Community. After his half an hour presentation, at least six more people (over a fifth of the number there) were inspired to start the urban agriculture permit application process.

Then come to the Clifton Hill Compost Mates surgery, at the Quince Cafe, corner of Spensley and Berry streets, near to Clifton Hill train station.

Dr Compost will be there from 10.30am till 1pm, Saturday 12th May.

DATE Saturday May 19th

TIME 11am, promptly concluding at 1pm

VENUE Athol Gill Centre, 100 Hodgkinson St Clifton Hill. (Close to the 86 tram, Clifton Hill railway station & Clifton Hill bus interchange)
Come for a cuppa, stay for the conversation.

EMAIL: communitysolar@ycan.org.au

The results of polling of 417 people in Batman show overwhelming support for the building of large scale solar power plants in Australia from both the relatively high and low income parts of the electorate.

This polling shows that Martin Ferguson is out of touch with voters in his own electorate. While Mr Ferguson is talking up the development of coal and gas, and talking down renewable energy (to the point of lying about its ability to provide baseload power and lying about its price, twice), his constituents want to see Australia transition to renewable energy.

The results (see below) have been sent to Martin Ferguson, and we await his response.

Big Solar poll – Results

The table below outlines the results from our polling. In summary, 87% of people support the building of large-scale solar in Australia, and 91% support government funding for this sort of project.

* An additional 95 people signed up as supporters of the campaign to build Big Solar in Australia but
did not complete the survey.

Below is an unedited list of the hundreds of messages that were sent to Martin Ferguson by the people we surveyed.

Big Solar poll – Batman residents’ messages for Martin Ferguson

Reservoir (door-knocking)

1. Have an open mind to solar. You need to broaden your horizons and look to the future. Coal is going to get phased out. There needs to be a plan already. We should be exploring more solar power.

2. It sounds like a better idea to build solar.

3. Solar power is a great source of energy, and we should utilise this great gift, which can last forever.

4. We need to consider that [solar power] and stay away from nuclear.

5. Think of our kids- cos we’ve seen what nuclear power does in Japan and Russia and the coal only pollutes the air.

6. I think solar is good because it saves money.

7. Solar demands inclusion as an option to supplement existing coal power. I’m all for wind turbines and bio-energy.

8. Need to put efforts into sustainable energy sources.

9. Build big solar!

10. Get with it. Surprised [you are] not already building big solar.

11. Should explore it. Would create jobs.

12. Build big solar.

13. Get with the program. It’s the future, and better than digging up and burning coal.

14. Get rid of carbon tax – harness natural resources.

Preston (door-knocking):

1. We should have more rebates for solar for sure. We should invest in large scale solar instead of coal.

2. We have a huge area in central Australia. You’re not going to run out of sun and wind.

3. You should start with Ministry of Housing houses for solar power – to help the strugglers.

4. I’m an electrician – we should build more like the one in Echuca. It’s free energy. You’ll make your money back.

5. Put solar panels on Ministry houses.

6. More should be being done. Fossil fuels are old technology and harmful to the environment.

7. Energy should be more natural, solar is more natural than using coal or nuclear power.

8. Renewable energy is the way of the future if we want sustainable environment.

9. Renewable energy will be good for the environment, but we want our money to be used wisely.

10. 1If we had more efficient solar panels or solar energy it would be better for the environment, and the economy, but it needs to be affordable to the general population.

11. Reliance on unsustainable big business is bad news!

12. It’s unsafe not to go something free of emissions. I vote in your electorate and I want big solar, not fossil fuels power.

13. Yes …I’ve written to [Martin] before. I think [big solar] is exactly the kind of thing we should be looking for. Commitment to unsustainable energy sources is disappointing. Australia is one of the last countries in the world to do this. We should be reading the world.

14. Burning fossil fuel is clearly environmentally dangerous to all living things (bad cycle). We should have been looking at clean sources to fuel our energy needs from the beginning. Please fund this for everyone’s sake.

15. Use the people’s money wisely.

16. Solar should be supported as long as the project location is suitable.

17. Should be giving reduction or rebate for local solar rooftops and not as much money into coal fired.

18. Solar is the best renewable!

19. [Put] funds into research for clean energy.

20. Please listen to your constituents, we want clean energy.

21. Please support clean energy for the people of Australia.

22. Renewable energy is the way to go.

23. The government should spend money on lots of things not just solar.

24. Please read the facts. You need better advisers, Martin.

25. Solar is an investment into the future. The old methods of supplying power are out-dated.

26. I’d like to see you support greener energy sources. It has to happen eventually.

27. We want our children to have a future in an industry that is sustainable. BZE have proved both economically and environmentally sound. Job creation wise, there is no ethical reason why we should be using coal at all. Renewable energy is the future for working class Australia.

28. Renewable energy reliance needs to be increased as part of a broader strategy, reducing out overall reliance on coal.

29. I do not support anything that is robbing our country of our resources. Start helping the low income people with affordable energy.

30. I don’t support anyone who is opposing solar and wind projects, which is good for nature and doesn’t emit carbon. We [should] promote wind and solar.

31. Better to support big solar rather than [coal] as solar is better for the environment.

32. [You] should be doing more to support investment in solar.

33. We should fund sustainable power.

34. This [large scale solar] is cheaper than photo-voltaic

35. Create a stable power environment to provide right environment for investment.

36. The clean energy board should have representation across the board.

37. Build big solar, we need it. It’s clean.

38. It will save a lot of money in the future.

39. Everything relies on us getting it right. We have to move away from fossil fuels. We’ve got so much renewable energy, let’s use it!

40. It’s time to give more money to Big Solar!

41. In the long run, it will be more economical to build big solar.

42. Solar is the future.

43. Solar power should be for the future (it’s not relevant in my [elderly] age group).

44. I am a fan of nuclear power, but it has to be run properly.

45. We have to look after the atmosphere, because I have twin boys.

46. [You] should not be blocking solar power. Solar should be widely used.

47. Well planned alternative energy is a must for our future.

48. I support solar energy for the future.

49. We need renewable and sustainable energy sources for our kids, and do it now. Build the infrastructure before mass need.

50. If solar power plants can reduce energy bills…

51. Be open minded about other energy sources.

52. You are wasting money on new coal fired power plants.

53. Think more long term than more short term; that wins votes.

54. About time we went solar.

55. It’s imperative that we invent and support new technologies to take us into the 23rd century, and not look backwards at the things we’ve always done. Now is the time.

56. I don’t understand why Australia doesn’t even do it.

57. Why aren’t they putting the finance into the solar industry?

58. We need to start moving away from coal to renewable energy sources.

59. Explore alternative opportunities.

60. Pull your finger out and do something about it.

61. Let’s now waste time on gas, go Blues!

62. Solar power needs to improve efficiency.

63. Build more solar power plants Martin.

64. We want more investment in renewables.

65. Solar and wind power are cleaner, can run for a longer time and no radiation.

66. I am in support of renewable energy.

67. Who pays your way? Coal and mining industry, or the people of Australia? You’re a traitor to Labor, and the people of Australia.

68. There are other alternatives to coal.

69. Cost of living is increasing day by day, so please do something in regards to solar energy. Solar energy is a renewable resource; this will help in reducing the bills of people. Help HH to play his bills.

70. Australia is full of sunshine, so why hasn’t the government capitalised on this? Why drag your feet behind other countries?

71. Please do the best thing for the future of Australia and the children of the planet. Solar energy please!

72. Hey Martin, get real. Start acting for our fossil free future, you fossil!

73. We support renewable energy.

74. We want more attention to be paid to the things that will keep the environment safe for future generations.

75. Look after the people and the country – the best nation in the world!

76. [You] should reconsider [your] stance. Nuclear power is not environmentally viable.

77. Bring on solar power!

78. Renewables are the future. You’re a dinosaur, Martin!

79. Renewables is a good step to take.

80. Invest in renewables instead of expanding coal.

81. I’m all for renewables.

82. Support and expand renewables.

83. Open your eyes!

84. I think wind and solar power are the future. Eventually we don’t have gas – even nuclear is not for ever and you leave a mess.

85. If USA is making them, then we should too. It’s going to be cheaper. Wind and solar – it’s always free.

86. Nuclear is cheap but very dangerous (I come from Europe and I know) Solar is good – never ending – good for the environment.

87. We sell coal to China and India – that’s politics. We like solar power, but we need government support for solar panels. We have lots of wind and solar. It’s good long term but difficult now – we need to sell resources to pay for it.

88. I’m not for nuclear power.

89. I can’t see why [Big Solar] can’t work. It makes sense!

90. Should build more solar power plants.

91. They do this and it just rips us off. They can do it but not out of our pockets.

92. We should be building solar power plants in Australia.

93. Alternative energy sources need to be considered.

94. I’m not into funding or supporting coal.

95. I support a balanced approach.

96. Don’t put it in heritage or Aboriginal land. We should be building these in Australia!

97. I support big solar.

98. Should give serious thought to big solar, it means clean energy for future generations.

99. Get off your asses and get on with it!

100. Put money in research and development for any technology that’s clean and safe.

101. I’m a big supporter of renewable energy. I think the government’s lack of investment in renewables is really short sighted.

102. Why [are you] supporting coal over renewables?

Northcote (door-knocking)

1. We can move to more renewables and we should.

2. Go away with your old ideas and get on to renewable stuff.

3. Big solar is good idea

4. Should get onto what’s happening in other countries and bring it here.

5. Please do include more renewable energy when you discuss renewable energy and planned policy.

6. Solar power is much better – see it Portugal. Portugal has a huge one like this.

7. Listen to your constituents. – It’s your job!

8. It’s so short-sighted – your support of the fossil fuel industries – it’s mad. Other countries are leading.

9. The way – we have so much solar [energy]. We should lead the way, boldly.

10. You should retire! Get with the modern technology. Get out of the pocket of industry!

11. Solar – it’s affordable & it’s clean, and our climate is perfectly suited to it. Let’s do it!

12. Wake up comrade! From your local shop steward.

13. Typical!

14. You need to think about our future. We have so much sun and wind available.

15. Grow up! Remember your constituents. You don’t represent us!

16. Large scale solar is easier than nuclear – you should do your homework – could be OK later but not till waste problem and safety are solved.

Northcote (Street stalls: Northcote Plaza, Uniting Church, High Street)

1. Please do!

2. Please support big solar.

3. You need to listen to what people are saying and not listening to business interests. You need to support sustainable industries, not those that are polluting.

4. Why support nuclear after Fukushima when we could use solar which is sustainable.

5. Look after the people who support you.

6. Solar is good. Uranium is bad. Coal is bad. In Victoria we burn dirt for electricity.

7. I’m 12 and I want climate change stopped.

8. There’s no excuse not to fund big solar. If you don’t you’re threatening the future of all things on this planet. It’s proven. Just do it. Feed-in tariffs now!

9. I’m 17 and I care about the environment.

10. Nuclear Free please (x 2). Big Solar sounds great.

11. It’s good to be at the forefront of a new technology – good opportunities – not lagging – and it’s good for the world (x 2)

12. Why aren’t you moving towards 100% renewable energy?

13. Bloody Martin – Sexist – Met him at Preston Primary School. He shouldn’t feel safe there. It’s quite progressive.

14. Mother and daughter – Labor says Roxburgh Park is turning green!

15. Interested in BZE plan

16. Very short sighted. Should be in the forefront.

17. Knows about 100% renewable from AYCC.

18. Why are you blocking big solar?

Fairfield (Station Street stalls)

19. Politicians should listen to those who have the knowledge about the environment rather than people who have the money.

20. We’ve been subsidising brown coal for decades. It’s time we put our money into clean energy like big solar!

21. Having worked all over the world, I believe that it would behove you and be in your best interest to use renewable energy instead of the coal burning and gas energy. Think about it! We need real action on climate change, not more subsidies for the coal and gas industries.

22. Get on with it now!

23. Govt. needs to do more to protect the environment and provide clean energy for the future and [our] grandchildren.

24. Get rid of support for nuclear and coal and association with big business. Get on with clean energy which makes jobs.

25. Get on with Big Solar.

26. We need to change to clean energy now!

27. Solar energy should be given resources and research funding equivalent to other electricity production.

28. Think of the future and the environment and get on with it!

29. Should be looking at ALL renewables – Coal is [a] finite and filthy resource.

Clifton Hill (door-knocking)

30. Use solar as well. Government needs to build something impressive like the Snowy Mountain scheme.

31. Emphasis on fossil fuels all about business. All short-termism. Need to think more long term.

32. We don’t want nuclear. We don’t want coal. Time to catch up!

33. He’s an idiot. Not very smart. Not in touch with his electorate.

34. Pull your head out of your arse. Do your research.

35. Not coal, gas or nuclear. Support renewables!

36. Stop supporting dirty industries.

37. I can’t stand you!

38. Build big solar now.

39. 100% in support of solar power.

40. Take the opportunity while you have this portfolio to get solar energy off the ground.

41. Use it for clean energy – solar power is free and clean and we have so much land for this!

42. We need to invest in renewable industries. The $10b should be used in that fashion rather than supporting the old industries.

43. Look at it! Consider it!

44. Consider molybidenum [thorium?] nuclear reactors.

45. Contribute to true renewable energy sources. People think this money is going to real renewable energy.

46. Important to support solar and understand the views of new constituents.

47. It is clean, green and after set up solar is free. Nuclear is not an option.

48. Should go to another country and live there.

49. Need to look at more than one form of power. Must consider all options.

50. Please move us to clean energy future.

51. Ditto.

52. Would like to see progress on geothermal.

53. You’re wasting your time in Victoria with that cretin in Spring St.

54. Firm believer in renewables.

55. Also would like to see progress on geothermal.

56. Support carbon tax totally.

57. We need to get beyond globes and shower heads. Power companies very hard to deal with on roof top PV installations.

58. Stop digging up the country and shipping it overseas!

59. Keep an open mind and invest in the future!

60. Nowadays we need a green environment. We need to change and invest in this technology.

61. Oil and gas will deplete someday. We should harness solar energy and use what God’s given us.

62. Seems crazy that we’re putting money into coal and gas.

63. Need to invest more in renewable energy. Coal is going to run out one day.

64. It’s crazy that we’re not investing more in solar. We’ve gt so much of it.

65. A bit ridiculous to keep funding the same old energy sources.

66. Don’t invest any CEFC money in gas. It is not clean and is not renewable.

67. The future is renewables, the past is fossil fuels.

68. If you don’t support renewables, maybe you shouldn’t be Minister for Energy! Get your head out of the sand.

69. Yes: we should be supporting renewables!

70. Invest more in renewables, including big solar.

71. I support renewables, I’d like you to represent that.

72. Don’t be so close-minded.

73. Go away!

74. Wake up! its not about you Martin. Its about the climate and our children.

75. Martin, open your eyes and stop listening to big coal.

76. Don’t invest any CEFC money in gas. It is not clean and is not renewable.

77. I support government funding renewable energy projects

78. Disappointing to see investment in…

79. Get on with rolling out renewables.

80. Renewables are a real investment in our future.

81. I support CEFC funding as long as it goes to renewables.

82. Push for renewables. Move away from gas and coal.

83. I support responsible use of the $10b on renewables.

84. We really need to start building solar power in Australia.

85. I fully support funding for renewables.

86. He better go green or his electorate…

87. Think more about the future. Cheaper coal at the moment won’t stay cheap.

88. I don’t support nuclear power. He should do more on solar power.

89. Dear Mr Ferguson, I am shocked by your climate destroying attitude and will work hard to unseat you at the next [election]. Cheer!

90. Everything should be given a go.

91. In general I’d be supportive of renewable energy as opposed to coal and nuclear.

92. Build big solar for jobs in Australia.

93. Get real and deliver the rhetoric. Stop supporting big business.

94. Take appropriate measures to look after the environment.

95. Support clean alternatives.

96. Clean energy should be a priority.

97. I support renewable energy.

98. Do something more with renewables.

99. Listen to your constituents.

100. Use renewable technology.

101. Fund renewables.

102. Australia is an ideal place for solar.

103. We need to use out natural renewable resources.

104. What is your choice between long-term sustainability or short term lobbying from the coal industry?

105. I’m fully supportive of renewable energy sources like solar and want my taxes to support that.

106. Energy sustainability is paramount to a liveable planet and ensuring our children’s future. Australia is the perfect environment to pioneer in this field.

107. I’d like the ALP to get behind investing in renewables once you do it the population will realise how good it is or we will get Abbott in and that will be hell!

108. We have huge opportunities for renewables in Australia so why aren’t we using it?

109. I support renewable energy for the country.

110. ACT NOW!!!

111. Decentralised solar power in domestic homes is the most effective and efficient way to generate domestic electricity.

112. Resign!

113. An obvious source of energy in solar-rich Australia.

114. Time to do what is ‘Right’ and lead.

115. If they can do it in Spain, why not here?

116. We need to be looking at alternatives because coal [is] not the answer.

117. You’re wrong.

118. Martin, stop living in yesterday’s world. Start planning and thinking for now and the future.

119. Extraordinarily important. Happening in Spain, why not here? We have more sun than Spain.

120. “Come On Martin, make it happen!”

121. Please consider this ground-breaking technology. Why is Spain utilizing this and Australia doesn’t know about it? Solar not coal is the future!

122. Just do it!

123. Don’t be a Wally. Just get behind it!

124. Absolutely! In our climate – it’s crazy we are not making use of solar for all our power requirements.

125. Sooner rather than later coal will kill our planet. Are we insane?

126. Retire! Support Big Solar. Stop supporting coal. Stop destroying our efforts to cut emissions.

127. FUND BIG SOLAR TODAY!!!

128. Please represent us!!! Big Solar is a great resource – use it and I urge you to do your job as Resources Minister. – Darebin resident.

129. Time to get moving and aim for 50% renewable energy ASAP. Coal is old technology and dangerous to health.

130. Time to build solar now. Time is running out. Forget pretending carbon sequestration will work.

Wednesday, 2 May, 7pm – 8.30pm
Dan O’Connell Hotel, 225 Canning Street, Carlton VIC 3053

Public transport, not freeways!

Coal mine destroying agricultural land in NSW. Photo: Jeremy Buckingham MLC

Yarra Climate Action Now is a proud member of the rural and urban alliance, launched yesterday, calling for a ban across Victoria of all new coal and coal seam gas exploration and development. As of this morning, Forty-five community organisations had joined the alliance.

This call is also backed by the State and Federal Greens. The Victorian Labor Party is supporting a moratorium on coal seam gas development (but not coal).

Friends of the Earth, who put the alliance together, is running a petition. If you haven’t signed it yet, please do so here.

Below is further information about the alliance and the call for a moratorium on new coal and gas developments, taken from Friends of the Earth.

Rural and urban Alliance calls on State Government to ban new fossil fuel projects

Victorian government wants more coal – the community wants farmland and clean water

As Victoria faces a wave of exploration licences for coal seam gas (CSG), coal, and tight gas, there is growing opposition to this industry. “Community groups have formed across the ‘coal belt’ of southern Victoria, from the Otways to Wonthaggi to Toongabbie” said Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker. “Clearly local farmers and residents do not want to see their lands and water sacrificed for short term fossil fuel development.”

“In Queensland and New South Wales there is a massive community backlash against the CSG industry” said Merryn Redenbach, spokesperson for Quit Coal. “Elsewhere in Australia, governments and individual members of parliament are standing up against the growth of CSG exploration and new coal mining in rural and urban areas. Locally, the Bass Coast Council has called for a ban on mining and gas operations, and Liberal MP Ken Smith has supported this demand”.

Mr Walker said “the only response from the government of Ted Baillieu has been to increase opportunities for further coal development. Just this week it was reported that the Baillieu government is working on a strategy to try to head off community objections to its plans to develop Victoria’s brown coal reserves.”

An alliance of 45 groups has today called on the Victorian government to ban all new on-shore coal and un-conventional gas operations until there has been a thorough investigation into the likely impacts of this industry on:

• water resources,
• farmland and food security,
• local communities and natural biodiversity, and
• greenhouse emissions.

Sue Anderson, a dairy farmer from near Bunyip, said “the industry needs to provide guarantees for the integrity of aquifers and surface water before it is allowed to proceed.  Blind Freddy could see that mining is detrimental to the production of food.  In a competition between food and coal seam gas, food has to win.”

“In the specific case of our area in West Gippsland, any government that approves CSG operations where 15% of Melbourne’s food is produced must be both barking mad and broke”.

Community member from Toongabbie, Tracey Anton, said “rural communities, state wide, are forming powerful alliances with environmental organisations against new mining explorations and development. Why? Because in our time of need, they are the only ones there to answer our questions.  To prevent the social and economic erosion of our communities, will Government and Industry work with us or against us?”

“The government is pretending there is no problem with new fossil fuel developments in Victoria” said Mr Walker. “Recent revelations that it is considering new coal allocations shows that they are out of step with community sentiment across rural Victoria. It is time they made their position clear: will they support a call for a moratorium?”

For further comment:
Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth 0419 338 047

Groups which have supported this statement

To add your group please email cam.walker@foe.org.au

Coal seam gas extraction causes water pollution

Alternative Technology Association
Ararat Greenhouse Action Group Inc
Australian Youth Climate Coalition
Benalla Sustainable Future Group
Beyond Zero Emissions
Brimbank Climate Action Network (BrimbankCAN)
CLIMARTE
Climate Action Moreland
Climate Action Network Australia (CANA)
Climate and Health Alliance
Community Over Mining (Gippsland)
C4 (Communities Combatting Climate Crisis), Healesville
Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Assoc Inc
Darebin Climate Action Now
Emerald for Sustainability (EmFSus)
Environment Victoria
Friends of Bass Valley Bush Inc
Friends of Gippsland Bush Inc. (FOGB)
Friends of the Earth
G CAN [Geelong Chemical Action Network Inc]
Global Warming Action Party Australia, East Gippsland
Gippsland Environment Group Inc (Bairnsdale)
Gippsland Action Group
GreenLeap Institute
Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Groundswell Bass Coast
Grow Lightly South Gippsland
Healesville Environment Watch Inc.
INC3
Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group
Lighter Footprints
Locals Into Victoria’s Environment (LIVE)
Lock The Gate Alliance
MADGE Australia Inc
Melton Community Supported Agriculture
Moonee Valley Climate Action
Nillumbik Climate Action Now
Quit Coal
Riddells Creek Sustainability
Surf Coast Energy Group
The Wilderness Society
Western Regional Environment Centre
Wodonga Albury Towards Climate Health (WATCH)
WTree Progress & Promotion Association
Yarra Climate Action Now

Who supports this moratorium?

More than 1,200 individuals have signed the petition calling for a moratorium. http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-dangerous-coal-seam-gas-mining-in-v…

Adam Bandt, Federal MP for Melbourne
Richard Di Natale, Senator for Victoria

Colleen Hartland, State Upper House MP for Western Metropolitan
Greg Barber, State Upper House MP for Northern Metropolitan

What are people saying about a moratorium & fossil fuel impacts on rural Victoria?

ALP

The state opposition supports the call for a moratorium on new coal-seam gas exploration.

Opposition energy spokeswoman Lily D’Ambrosio said there were growing concerns about coal-seam gas projects. ”New evidence has emerged that raises questions about the safety, health and environmental impacts of coal seam gas exploration, and it’s important these concerns are fully investigated”.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/labor-call-to-ban-fracking-20120411-1w…

Alex Arbuthnot, from the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, says areas of high food production should be protected from CSG mining.

“Food security, following the adoption of a national food plan and perhaps a Victorian food plan next year … is going to become a major, major issue,” he told the Victorian inquiry.

“I have flagged to the mining industry here, there could be some no-go zones for food.”

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/farmers-call-for-csg-nogo-…

The VFF issued a stronger statement after we launched our call for a moratorium:

“Farmers are calling on the Vic Coalition Government to extend wind farm veto laws to cover coal seam gas projects. The VFF’s Gerald Leach says landholders should have the right to veto mining on their property. He says farmers are concerned coal seam gas mining could cause long-term damage to aquifers and their land. Leach says the Vic Government has given landholders the right to veto in respect to wind towers”.

ABC Gippsland (Sale), 08:30 News – 13/04/2012
In March 2012, the Bass Coast shire voted to reject exploration for coal and gas within its jurisdiction.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/03/23/460155_latest-news.h…

Colac Otway shire mayor Brian Crook said in 2011 that a ban on exploration was essential until the government improved its “seriously flawed” consultation process and could assess the impact of mining.

“Until we have the process evaluated and there is a 100-per-cent guarantee there will be no impact on aquifers and the community is happy with it, coal-seam gas exploration must stop,” Cr Crook said.

He said the council called for the mining companies to abandon exploration and would push for the support of major political parties in the Colac district’s fight against coal-seam mining.

http://www.colacherald.com.au/2011/09/coal-seam-gas-miners-resist-demand…

Federal Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman, who is a qualified geologist, supports a call to ban Coal seam gas mining.

“There’s absolute community outrage. Western Victorian has some very valuable environmental assets and highly productive agricultural land and this industry has been proven to do tremendous damage.”

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/10/06/283971_news.html

State MP for Bass (Gippsland) and Liberal party member Ken Smith has supported the call for a ban on exploration for coal and gas within his electorate.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/03/23/460155_latest-news.h…
“We’ve got a farming community down here and the last thing that we need to have now is people exploring the countryside from the shoreline up into the hills looking to dig the place up,”

The Weekly Times editorial: “The risks of mining CSG are real; the benefits temporary and the profits go to mining fat-cats”.

A polluted aquifer could end food production in an agricultural region indefinitely – a contaminated aquifer is impossible to decontaminate”.

“The Victorian government needs to show it will not be pushed around by mining giants.

It should declare prime food-producing land off-limits to mining”.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2011/10/19/396331_opinion-news….

Maude and Neil with the new planter box (permit no. YCG-01)

The recent events in Princess Hill, where a divided local reaction stopped the proposal for a community garden on parkland, has demonstrates more stongly than ever that Yarra’s Urban Agriculture Facilitator is needed. It’s not suprising that some urban residents don’t want to loose public open space; it’s equally not surprising that some urban residents feel the strong need to grow some of their own food. The compromise is to use marginal space, like Maud and Neil have: their planter box is on a slight raised area that is neither foot path or road, it is just separation space. The planter box doesn’t interfere with lines of sight or access. It appears from the very short time it has been there to recieve overwhelming support from locals.

But this small scale, decentralised model needs more effort to work, and local residents just don’t have the know-how to get through the local government bureaucracy, and local government departments just don’t have the incentive to deal with local residents on these issues and coordinate with other departments. And because we are talking about marginal space, it is always at the margins of responsiblity.

This is why the Urban Agriculture Facilitator role is so essential. If the role is lost, all the good work that has been done up to now will be wasted. Yarra’s leading position will be lost. It is currently a part time role, but it needs to be increased to five days a week. Time is needed in processing applications and granting permits, and all the communication that involves. In addition available land needs to be put on an inventory, a more robust grants system is needed, more resources are needed for residents of our city, and time needs to be spent on promotion and education.

Please leave a comment and tell us what you think of the Urban Agriculture Facilitator Role and Yarra Council supporting urban agriculture like this.

Mining companies are already lining up to bid for the right to dig up billions of tonnes of brown coal, in some of Victoria’s most productive agricultural regions.

This comes on top of the Baillieu Government’s destruction of the wind energy industry and is occurring alongside their destruction of the solar energy industry (they aim to get rid of the solar feed-in tariff for rooftop solar).

Under any reasonable analysis, this plan is indefensible. The only beneficiaries are the coal companies, who happen to donate money to the Liberal and National Parties.

There is a lot of misinformation and corporate propaganda flying around on this issue, so Yarra Climate Action Now wants to clear the air with a few key points:

1. There’s no such thing as “clean coal”.

Brown coal is the dirtiest and most polluting fossil fuel used in Australia. Some of the “new” technologies proposed for treating the brown coal (which the coal lobby deceptively refers to as “clean” or “pristine” coal) will only reduce brown coal’s greenhouse gas emissions to the level of black coal, or at best, fossil gas. This is far from clean and nowhere near the zero emissions status of renewable energy.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) which is also sometimes referred to as “clean coal” doesn’t exist, and is still only theoretical. Even its most enthusiastic proponents say it will not be ready for at least another 20 years, by which time renewable energy will be far cheaper anyway.

“Clean” coal is nothing but a delay strategy put forward by the coal lobby to slow down the roll-out of renewable energy and ensure they can keep making obscene profits for a little while longer.

2. Baillieu’s plan will increase electricity prices.

Baillieu’s destruction of the wind energy industry already means that Victorians will be paying billions more for our electricity than we otherwise would be. A brown coal export industry will expose Victorians to international pricing for coal, something we are shielded from since brown coal is not currently exported. This will increase domestic coal prices and increase the cost of electricity production in Victoria.

3. Brown coal development will kill jobs.

If you invest your money in one thing, then you don’t have money to invest in another. Money going into brown coal development will reduce the amount of money going into renewable energy technologies. And guess what! Renewable energy is far more jobs-rich than fossil fuel technologies are.

The Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan calculated that if we transitioned our whole economy to one that is run by 100% renewable energy, 40,000 permanent jobs would be created, and 20,000 jobs would be lost. That is, for every job lost in the fossil fuel sector, 2 jobs would be created in the renewable energy sector due to its higher labour needs.

If the money going into brown coal was shifted to building renewable energy and establishing a renewable energy components manufacturing industry, then far more jobs would be created, and they would be sustainable for the long term too.

4. Investing in coal is bad for the Victorian economy.

Lobbyist Dan Cass outlines the economic stupidity of  investing in brown coal in his article on the ABC website. He says:

“Premier Ted Baillieu’s plan to expand Victoria’s brown coal sector is a blow to our economic credibility.

“The world is switching to renewable energy and brown coal, the dirtiest, least efficient way to generate energy, will be left for dead.

“China is the biggest coal consumer in the world, but it is planning to cap coal imports in 2015. That is only three years away. Victoria’s new brown coal mines will not even be a hole in the ground by then, let alone a viable export industry.

“India is another big coal customer that is turning to renewable energy, because it is more economically viable. The Indian government put an industry plan in place to bring the cost of solar below the cost of coal, by 2022. A review of this ‘Grid Parity’ by KPMG found that it was likely to be reached five years earlier, by 2017!

“The USA is still the economic powerhouse and it sets the global energy agenda. It also has an industry plan like India’s, which will get solar cheaper than brown coal by 2020. That is only eight years away.”

To summarise – the world is shifting away from coal and we will be left with stranded assets and a product no one wants to buy. We should be putting our money into the energy technologies of the present and future, not the 19th Century.

5. A brown coal export industry is a climate disaster.

The climate science is clear. There is already too much carbon in the atmosphere to prevent catastrophic climate change. We need to get to zero emissions and start removing the excess carbon we have been adding to the atmosphere as quickly as is humanly possible.

Brown coal is currently not exported due to its unstable nature. If left at room temperature it can spontaneously combust, making it too dangerous to transport long distances. If the coal companies get their way and they can develop technologies to make brown coal suitable for export, then more coal will be exported, making coal more accessible to countries currently deciding their energy futures and thereby delaying the urgent and necessary transition to zero-emissions technologies.

Coal mine destroying agricultural land in NSW. Photo: Jeremy Buckingham MLC

6. This brown coal plan will reduce our food security.

Coal mines are planned for Bacchus Marsh and many other areas in Victoria, particularly Gippsland. These are some of the most agriculturally productive regions in Victoria, supplying Melbourne and many other places with fresh fruits, vegetables, grain and dairy products. With the impacts of the climate crisis, including droughts, floods and heatwaves, reducing our ability to produce food globally, the productive land we do have is becoming more and more precious.

No matter what the coal industry says, we can’t eat coal. Food security is more important than the profits of mining companies.

7. We don’t even need coal anyway.

We already have the renewable energy technology to get to 100% renewable energy and replace the baseload power we get from coal and gas. Renewable energy is rapidly dropping in price, and the more we build it, the cheaper it gets. Contrast this to coal and gas prices which are set to become even more volatile and will just keep going up in the long term. We don’t need coal anymore to produce our electricity.

The Greens have already come out and rightly condemned this plan, saying they will fight it. As has the Bass Coast Shire Council (Wonthaggi) and even the state Liberal Member of Parliament for that area, Ken Smith. The Federal Labor Party has continued its usual support of the fossil fuel lobby by saying they will allow a brown coal export industry to be developed, while the State Labor Party maintains an unprincipled silence (we have contacted our two state members of parliament, Bronwyn Pike and Richard Wynne, and await their responses).

To help stop this insane proposal please sign the petition here. If you want to get more actively involved (and unless more people do, then this will go ahead) please contact us or Quit Coal.