Why can’t register save trees?

Last week a developer went to great lengths to remove a beautiful row of remnant eucalypts along McGlones Road, Drouin by somehow, through extraordinary measures, gaining permission from the Federal and State governments to do this.

These trees were on the Drouin Significant Tree Register that was meant to save them.

Seeing this tree devastation last week was depressing enough. But this week we watched in horror as some sort of development on the corner of Victoria Street and Hopetoun Road damaged the roots of the stand of trees there that are also on the Significant Tree Register.

Heavy machinery drove over the tree root zone and a hole was dug that cut through the roots.

What is needed to make the Significant Tree Register significant enough to protect what is left of Drouin’s beautiful old remnant significant trees?

How many will survive so future generations have the benefit of 200 year old eucalypts and not just photos of them on the internet like the dinosaurs and the thylacine?

Joan McColl, Drouin

More than one Beijing ALP quisling called the book “racist" in contradiction of its actual contents. Amongst the author's chief informants were patriotic Chinese Australians well familiar with the Beijing regime's machinations in Australia.

Included were the intimidation of Chinese in Australia with family still in China, Chinese Communist surrogate students rioting against pro democracy Chinese students in Australian universities, penetration of universities with monetary donations and Confucius Institutes which are fronts for Beijing Communism, massive donations to the major political parties by Beijing associated Chinese billionaires and various kinds of direct and indirect Beijing largesse for Coalition and ALP politicians who have sold this country out to a totalitarian foreign power.

That's why the federal government's rejection of current Beijing threats is purely rhetorical instead of retaliation which would mean the rolling back of the multiple kinds of Beijing penetration of this country exposed by the Hamilton book which go far beyond trade. Advance Australia where?

Frank Carleton, Longwarry

Recently the developer, OSMI, submitted a referral to the Federal Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) department as part of the process for gaining approval to develop the Delburn Wind Farm.

At the time the public was given an opportunity to respond to the referral and this process closed on May 14.

Many members of the community responded and sent their concerns about the development of this industrial wind farm to the EPBC.

In an unusual move, OSMI withdrew their referral from the EPBC, but now intend to to re-submit it.

The proposed Delburn Wind Farm has a total of 5862 residents (2016 census) living within five kilometres of the project, and this includes: Moe South, Yinnar, Boolarra, Driffield, Hernes Oak, Coalville, Narracan, Thorpdale, Darlimurla, Delburn and Mirboo North.

Do the residents of these communities know about the proposed wind farm? Most of this population have no idea of what quiet activities are happening.

There will be an opportunity for the community to make their voices heard with their concerns regarding the impact of the industrial wind farm on the precious flora and fauna that exist within the planned development site, once OSMI re submit their referral to EPBC. OSMI have also submitted Environment Effects Statement (EES)to the State Government and there will be an opportunity to respond to the EES also.

A group has been set up representing the community – the Strzelecki Community Alliance. This group is not against wind farms but against the site of this industrial wind farm in the Strzelecki Ranges in the Hancock Plantation.

With the recent loss of so much flora and fauna in the bushfires affecting Gippsland, there is even a stronger need to protect what is left.

For further information go www.strzeleckicommunityallance.com,

https://www.planning.vic.gov.au, epbcnotices.environment.gov.au.

Rosemary Parker

Strzelecki Community Alliance to: