crater lakes & real estate development

[Peter Gell]

CRATER LAKES UNDER THREAT
The closed-system lakes Bullen Merri and Gnotuk, which featured on the
recent
AQUA field trip,  are under imminent threat of real estate development.

The Shire of Corangamite holds the view that no applicant can be
legitimately
refused a building permit providing there is road access and that
buildings are
sited below the rim and are sensitively designed and landscaped. With
about 52
potential building sites involved, such a policy would be irretrievably
disastrous to these Heritage-listed sites which have international
scientific significance. An independent planning review is currently
under way
and it is urged that the scientific community join in concerted
opposition to
this policy. Submissions can be sent to:
        Trevor Budge
        Research Planning and Design Group
        36 Wattle Street
        Bendigo 3550
        Phone: (03) 5441 6552
        Fax:     (03) 5441 6694
        Email:  rpdgroup at netcon,net.au

FURTHER NOTES
  Continued protest has led Council to call for an independent planning
review
of their Planning Scheme and the findings of this review will probably
be the
point of no return for the lakes.
    Local opposition groups take a firm "no build" position, the main
arguments
being based on heritage, environmental and tourism issues. Clearly,
scientific
arguments about potential degradation of these internationally unique
sites will
be absolutely crucial.
    We are told that the review will seek "advice from suitably
qualified
persons with respect to geological heritage and conservation issues
associated
with volcanic features" and "input from various people with expertise in
this
particular area of study".

How to help:

1) Allow your name to be added to a contact list we will send to Mr.
Budge
(gnotuk at bigpond.com)
2) Write a brief submission of your arguments for the planning review
3) Add your signature to a group letter (this was the suggestion of Dr.
Roger
Jones of CSIRO -
    03 9239 4555)
4) Write to the press, indivually or as a group:
        The Australian, 60 City Road, Southbank, Melbourne Vic 3000
        The Age, 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne Vic 3000
        The Camperdown Chronicle, Manifold Street, Camperdown Vic 3260
        The Warrnambool Standard, 170 Koroit Street, Warrnambool Vic
3280
5) If possible, appear at a review hearing (yet to be announced)

Peter Gell on behalf of Fiona & Alun Morris
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