Firstly, another message from the Djab Wurrung Embassy

The red alert has escalated

Sacred Trees – Sacred Landscape.

Monday, 22/07/2019 - 6pm

The cops are coming with eviction orders very soon. Major roads projects are seeking them in the court. We will not concede our land. This is our sovereignty as survivors of the Djab Wurrung and our duty as warriors to protect this land. This is the frontline. We need you here NOW to defend sacred country. There can be no treaty while our land is desecrated, and we are threatened in this way.

Taking back the land is birthright, it is a duty and protecting it for our and your future generations the right thing to do.

Sacred birthing trees on Djap Wurrung country need protecting. The entire landscape is sacred. Over 50 generations have been born on these sites & the birthing trees themselves are 800 years old. We are protecting them from Vic Labour Party’s planned highway extension that is set to destroy this dreaming landscape.

We ask that the road be routed a different way and that the speed limit is lowered on the current road.

This is a battle for Songlines, supporting this struggle is a way of righting the wrongs of history and making peace with the lands and original peoples. Please support us with your bodies. This is how change is made. 

Get yourself to Warrayatkin Road and Western Highway near Ararat. We cannot win this without you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please watch the short video below explaining the much more practical 'Northern Option', which local environmental groups have been lobbying to have implemented as an alternative, for several years. The State Government's current plan means close to 250 other ancient, sacred trees, as well as another 2750 trees, will be felled. Australia has one of the worst records of deforestation in the world. Victoria’s environmental health is poor, with remnant vegetation, biodiversity, and forest health declining. MRPV (Major Roads Projects Victoria, a new branch of Vicroads contracted to implement these works) talks a lot about safety issues. MRPV has used the concept of safety as a blunt instrument, misrepresenting statistics to demonise a stretch of road that has actually seen no serious accidents. Widening roads is not the only way to address safety concerns, and what about the enormous and unaddressed issue that this government still fails to consider; what are the safety implications of living in Australia in 50 years, if climate change is not mitigated? What are the economic implications of a land too hot, dry, burnt or drowned to support any form of industry? The only future we have is one in which First Nations cultural custodians lead the way toward caring for country, sustainably.

Call the ministers offices, and email with your comments about why this must be stopped, and why this important place must be protected:

Richard Wynne

Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs (Former Minister for Aboriginal Affairs)

Phone: (03) 9415 8901

Email: richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au

---

Jacinta Allen

Minister for Transport Infrastructure

Phone: (03) 8392 6100

Email: jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au

---

Daniel Andrews

Premier of Victoria

Phone: (03) 9651 5000

Email: daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au

Thank you all for taking a stand!

Please go to the Djab Wurrung Embassy website for directions to camp https://dwembassy.com/