Surfrider urges a vote for the coast

PEOPLE on the Surf Coast live in one of the most beautiful coasts in the world. Temperate forests run down to stunning beaches with plenty of waves and whales.

For almost a decade coastal communities have expressed concerns about the big fossil fuel extraction and seismic blasting programs waiting in the wings off Victoria’s west coast.

Their concern has seen huge protests from Torquay to Warrnambool as the community raises its voice about the industrialisation of the coast and increasing threat of global warming.

Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast understand many people may not have the time to fully immerse themselves in the campaigns but being an informed voter in the upcoming federal election is a relatively easy action that voters can take.

The foundation is asking all voters to research what each of the candidates stand for, look up their websites, or the websites of their party.

Write to them asking them questions about matters that affect voters and ask them what will they do to protect the marine environment and prevent the industrialisation of the Otway Basin.

People living in the electorate of Wannon, which extends from Anglesea to the South Australian border, can attend the Wannon Candidates’ Forum at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall on April 30 from 7pm.

This is a great chance for voters to come out and hear in person where the candidates stand on coastal issues that impact communities along Victoria’s west coast. It is a free event, and attendees are asked to register via Eventbrite.

Voters can also pick up a post card from the Patagonia store in Torquay, write a message on the back to their local federal member of parliament, and the Surfrider Foundation will send it to that MP.

There is also a very informative website, TheyVoteForYou.org.au where voters can find out how the existing Members of Parliament have voted in the past on environmental, regional and other issues important to them.

 

“With over 85 per cent of Australians living within 50km of the coast and beach culture being so strong, it makes sense that everyone who loves our beaches and oceans have the power to influence marine and coastal issues,” Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast secretary Darren Noyes-Brown said.

“We saw this when six years ago coastal communities united to defeat fossil fuel company Equinor in the Fight For The Bight campaign and more recently TGS withdrew their massive seismic blasting project in the Otway Basin because of relentless community pressure.”

Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast president John Foss said the community valued whales and marine life.

“The local tourism industry along the Great Ocean Road relies on a pristine marine and coastal environment full of life to attract visitors to our region.

“It makes no sense to continue opening up the Otway Basin to offshore gas fields.

“The threats to whales and other marine life are too great and it would lock in more climate pollution for decades.”

Regular warnings of gas shortages come at a time when Australia is awash with gas in production. Australian homes use only 2.5 per cent of the gas produced, however, 80 per cent of gas is exported overseas.

At the coming federal election, Surfrider urges you to please vote for the coast.