The news article yesterday in the Ararat Advertiser gives a fair summary of the current situation.

With the 4.30 update from MRPV , the impasse continues.

KORS continues to oppose the MRPV preferred route for the Western Highway Upgrade based on an inherently flawed environmental effects planning process and a flawed environmental effects statement.

In an attempt to break the impasse between MRPV and the Djabwurrung people, KORS and affected landowners, letters asking for an independent comparative assessment of the two alternative routes, Option 1 and the Northern Option, have been sent to the Deputy Prime Minister, in his capacity as Minister for Infrastructure and  Greens party senators in Canberra.

There has never been an official comparison of the two routes. 

If MRPV and the state Government are so confident that Option 1 is the better route, based on the environment,  culture and safety they have nothing to fear from such a comparison. 

To support our request for a comparative analysis of both routes, 

letters, emails and/or phone calls this week, while Parliament is in Canberra, 

to the following Senators and MP’s will strengthen our  call to the deputy Prime Minister. 

Michael McCormack MP.. michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au    
ph 02 62777520

Senator Hanson-Young   senator.hanson-young@aph.gov.au     
ph 02 62773430

Senator Rice    senator.rice@aph.gov.au     
ph 02 62773225

Senator di Natale senator.dinatale@aph.gov.au   
ph 02 62773170

Adam Bandt     adam.bandt.mp@aph.gov.au   
ph  02 62774775

As the works on the mutual 3.8 km section of the highway continue

1.  It was disconcerting, when asking the state Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning who monitors MRPV’s  adherence to the Threatened Species Management Plan to be directed to the MRPV project office!

2.   The No Go Zone flags/ropes have deviated to exclude several large old trees from protection.

3.   Several crossings have been bulldozed through the No Go Zones. 

 4.  Maps of the Eastern Maar/ MRPV agreed “re alignments” to avoid some of the sacred  trees,   show that NOrealignment has occurred for one tree and minimal realignment for other  trees.  So, the livelihood of all trees remains under threat.

5.   The text in Italics is taken from a transcript of the Djabwurrung appeal to the Federal Dept of Environment on Friday, Nov 22  before Justice Robertson in the Federal Court. The appeal is to rescind the decision of the Federal Environment Minister not to protect the sacred land on the Western Highway, destined for destruction by MRPV preferred route, Option 1. 
In her decision not to protect the sacred land, the Minister relied upon the realignment agreed between EMAC and MRPV to protect 6 trees.
The following information was not presented to the Minister. 
EMAC = Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation…who DO NOT represent the Djabwurrung, are NOT a RAP (Representative Aboriginal Party), do not have Native Title on the threatened area....but have been doing deals with MRPV on the Highway  Upgrade. 

 a promise by MRPV to “provide funding to EMAC to employ a Cultural Heritage and Employment Manager to work the road projects on its projects within Eastern Maar traditional country. Road Projects and EMAC will agree the appropriate role of the cultural heritage and employment manager before a manager is appointed, who is remunerated up to $120,000 per annum”.

Is this an inducement by MRPV to get an agreement from EMAC to support a realignment of the highway? 

How independent will this advisor be when employed, indirectly, by MRPV?
           and finally,    
KORS had some good air time on Steve Martin, ABC Radio Ballarat.

contact KORS at   fixfreewayfiasco@gmail.com

renew your knowledge of the campaign at
www.fixfreewayfiasco.org