A Stab in the Eye on a Winter Day

Some fine winter days near the 12 Apostles recently. The days might even have been considered perfect, at least for June, if not for being bombed by the constant cycle of noise from the Origin gas plant – we emailed the EPA about the demented industrial sounds but so far have yet to hear back. 

We used to send correspondence also to the Corangamite Shire but have given up on them in much the same way they seem to have given up on safe guarding this coast from inappropriate industry. 


That's all for now - have to go and stab myself in the eye: tis a far more pleasant thought than spending any more time contemplating the Origin gas plant or the Corangamite Shire.

More About Waubra Foundation and Noise Watch Inc

Noise Watch Australia Inc and the WaubraFoundation are organisations that have been confronted by a lack of relevant assessment of development conflict by the planning system, especially before the system approves change that dramatically changes  landscapes and causes extraordinary stress in people’s lives. 

While there is no public money to undertake evaluation, and while affected neighbours are often excluded from the development process by the authority, the changes are solely in the hands of the proponents. 

When fallout from industrial sites such as the gas plant increases regulatory responsibility  falls to the EPA to ensure safe conditions. The under-resourced EPA failings in country areas is a tragedy.

Because of these failings the responsibility is with the company to provide evidence for EPA prosecution. Of course, it doesn’t happen, particularly when noise and vibration is the stress source. 

This genuine interest by the above groups in our plight perfectly highlights the failings of both the Corangamite Shire and the EPA to act on what is increasingly recognised as a debilitating issue for the local residents here, and critically, for all Victorian.  Sadly the situation is similar in other Australian states.

NSW Shire Councillor Seeks Advice

The view from 1km of two gas plants near the Great Ocean Road

Here at Twelve Apostles: What a Gas we've had a phone call (via the Waubra Foundation) from a NSW shire councillor. The gas companies have their eyes on one of the small towns in his area. He wants to stop them coming into town, knows that if one gets in more will follow. But he wanted a first hand account of the gas driven calamities that have occurred in the Corangamite Shire, near the Great Ocean Road.

So we told him a few truths:

Be wary of the gas plant consultants/proponents who will try and make even coal-seam gas mines sound like days spas;

Once they're in, they're in: The original consultant employed by the first gas plant to be built near the Twelve Apostles assured the community that only one plant would ever be built - there are now four;

Ask about issues the proponents will never tell you about - like the numbers of trucks that will be shuttling along narrow country roads to and from the gas plant and the night-time lighting which will reconfigure the night-scape (the lights from the Twelve Apostles gas plants are so bright at night that they can be mistaken for a town);

Ask how is it possible that gas companies are permitted to self-regulate for noise: the Environmental Protection Authority are understaffed and under-funded. From our experience the EPA is almost powerless in country areas. The gas companies therefore take their own readings about the noise they emit. And if they do, on the off chance, take an excessive reading, the wind, birds, tractors and perhaps the untimely flatulence of one of the gas company employees taking the reading will be blamed;

The gas companies have a great escape clause in many of their operating licences. This refers to Unplanned Events. Not irregularly does the gas plant near to the home of Mr and Mrs Rogered 'blow up'. A great explosion of sound - like the sound of a fighter jet - shakes houses and results in a flare some 10metres or more high. This is an unplanned event and even if it happens twice a day it will not be regarded as excessive noise;

And about that flare: that 10metre flame is permissible even on days of Total Fire Ban. Hard to believe after the events of Black Saturday. But then, a lot about how gas companies really operate is hard to believe:

And finally, don't fall for the sucker-punch, the lure of the lucre. Gas companies will dole out sponsorship for community programs. At Port Campbell the life savers wear bathers with a gas company logo on them. In this way the companies get under a community's guard: don't let them in. Raise the money the old fashioned way - rally the organisation's troops and cart hay for a farmer or build a farm shed. Keep the integrity.

Gas Plant Glow

Gas plants light up the night near Port Campbell and the Great Ocean Road

The night time view of the Origin and TRU gas plants near the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles. The picture was taken about 1km from the plants on a main road. The glow of the flame is visible some 20km away.

All around the plants, for many kilometres, is black. It's not just the noise from these plants that is an impost on this part of the coast. In the post below Gary Goland talks about the failings of regulators in regard to noise etc. Apparently the Corangamite Shire insisted the Origin gas plant be cast in its position on one of the highest points in the district. Brilliant, really.

Corangamite Shire and EPA Failings Highlighted

Our endeavours to fight the inappropriate the conflicting industrial development, the industrial drone that comes from the Origin gas plant, near Port Campbell, the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles, have been heard by others, notably people from Noise Watch Australia Inc and the Waubra Foundation

We made contact with Waubra Foundation CEO, Sarah Laurie, after seeing the ABC's 7.30 Report. Sarah's genuine interest in our plight perfectly highlights the failings of both the Corangamite Shire, Origin Energy and the EPA to act on our concerns about the gas plant and its invasive noise, to act on what is increasingly recognised as a debilitating issue for us and other country Victorians whose lives are cruelled by industrial noise.

Sarah kindly put us in touch with Gary Goland from Noise Watch Australia Inc

" Working with others in our community to challenge the failure of our development and regulatory systems to deliver quality of purpose; change to engage public interest, to recognise the harm and cost of continuing to ignore [noise] conflict, is the best chance we have of gaining recognition for what is happening.  Cross disciplinary input is desperately needed to evaluate cause and effect for public interest, given planners, and regulators administering our law, are  not doing a thing to ensure public safety.  Poor management is connected to more than noise intrusion.  Happy to assist where I can Greg."   Every location is different even when the threat is the same."

Gary Goland, Noise Watch Australia Inc

Italy adds Voice to 12 Apostles Gas

Marco from Italy adds his voice to the gas plant built within view of the Great Ocean Road and near the Twelve Apostles:

"I've thought that this could happen only in Italy
We call them EcoMostri (EcoMonsters)
See here for example
http://campodarsego.blogolandia.it/2010/12/13/ecomostro-di-fiumicello-unaltra-voce/
Sorry to see that it happens also in Australia." Comment posted by Marco from Italy.

Thank you for your comments and the link, Marco. Some of the worst features of the EcoMonster here go beyond it being built in a high visible era. It's that the regulators; the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), do nothing. And the local Corangamite Shire is more impotent than Silvio Berlusconi (without Viagra).

12 Apostles' Neighbour

The Woodside cum Origin gas plant has been built on one of the highest points - nope, not hidden low in a gully, or even hidden by trees - near Port Campbell, some 10km from the 12 Apostles.

The Origin gas plant near Port Campbell and the Great Ocean Road: built on one of the area's highest points

The gas plant is visible from the Great Ocean Road. Many assurances were given by gas plant proponents that no gas plant would be visible from the Great Ocean Road. No-one has ever been made to be accountable for this or other breaches, including the flare which pollutes the night sky.

Corangamite Shire Fails Locals

Does anyone live in a place where their local council or shire supports you when problems arise?

If so, can you let me know where that is for once again the Corangamite Shire has failed to act, failed to answer questions posed to them. It is hard not to draw the conclusion that the Corangamite shire is short of ideas.

Part of an email to shire CEO Andrew Mason is below. The questions posed in it remain unanswered:  

Given the recognised failings of the EPA I can think that there is no other reason except expediency which motivates the Shire to again refer the gas plant noise issues to the EPA? I hope I am wrong but councillor Griffin's comments certainly highlight the Shire's perceived lack of urgency on this matter.

My family's amenity continues to be comprimised by the gas plants at Port Campbell.

How do my family and other effected residents get the Corangamite Shire to view the health of some of their residents the way councillor Griffin does?

'A group of Victorian councils will call on the planning minister to investigate claims that wind farms cause illness.
"The wellbeing of our residents is supreme," said Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin.'
The Weekly Times May 30 2012

Joke for the Day

A gas plant proponent walks into a meeting of concerned local residents . . . and tells the truth.

Bob Brown Foundation

An email to the Bob Brown Foundation

Hi guys,

Woodside built a gas plant near the 12 Apostles and the Great Ocean Road. I spent a lot of time fighting the plant and might have some insights into what will happen to the Kimberley.

I'd love to share them.

You can get a few ideas here:
http://twelveapostleswhatagas.blogspot.com.au/

A Lesson for Broome and the Kimberley

Port Campbell is on Victoria's Great Ocean Road and just 11km from the 12 Apostles. Woodside built a gas plant near to the town some four years ago.

The plant regularly explodes - great explosions of sound regularly occur from it - and at night its never-ending flame pollutes the night sky. Originally when the first gas plant was built its proponents promised there would only ever be one. There are now at least four gas plants close to Port Campbell.

Offshore exploration and seismic testing continues close to the Port Campbell Marine Park.

Backpacker meets 12 Apostles Gas

I am a twenty five year old English girl, making my way around Australia on a working holiday visa. I have been living in Port Campbell for the past two months, and am failing to comprehend the necessity of a gas plant in one of the most beautiful spots in Australia.

The Great Ocean Road is renowned for it’s beauty, and is something that, as Australians, you should be extremely proud of.

The gas plant can be seen for miles around, particularly in the evening, when it appears as though a small town has developed in the midst of the fields. Although it can be seen during the day, once the sun has set, and the lights from the plant appear, the picturesque views that were once available in Port Campbell are no longer available.

I find it astonishing that a country the size of Australia could not find another spot for a gas plant. Was it that the developers were left with no other option other than to develop in a place which attracts thousands of tourists each year, has some of the best views in the world, and is home to a majority of native species and vegetation?

The noise coming from the plant is also of major concern. On an average day the noise is an annoying droning sound. However, on a number of days the noise is reminiscent of a small force of fighter aircraft above. This is no exaggeration, the sound coming from the plant is that bad that I often find myself looking to the sky expecting to see a helicopter.

As a tourist, and someone who has travelled throughout Australia I do not understand the logic in the location of this gas plant. I think some serious questions need to be asked, and more importantly answered.
Yours sincerely
Jodie Channing

A note to the CEO of Corangamite Shire

'A group of Victorian councils will call on the planning minister to investigate claims that wind farms cause illness. "The wellbeing of our residents is supreme," said Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin.' The Weekly Times May 30 2012

 Dear Andrew
I wrote to you recently in regard to ongoing noise from the Port Campbell gas plants and what I believe are the Shire's obligations under Part 6 Division 1. Section 58(2) (e) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008: said act states noise is a nuisance and I am lead to believe the Council has a duty to act, to investigate complaints.

In regard to Section 62(2) of this I am of the opinion that the Council must act on my family giving notice of a nuisance. I received your letter dated 17 May 2012 in which you advise that council is again referring the ongoing noise issues to the EPA. The council is as aware as I am of the current limitations of the EPA.

It is four months since we met with the EPA and still there has been no action or any notable correspondence from them. Given the recognised failings of the EPA I can think that there is no other reason except expediency which motivates the Shire to again refer the gas plant noise issues to the EPA?

I hope I am wrong but councillor Griffin's comments certainly highlight the Shire's perceived lack of urgency on this matter. My family's amenity continues to be comprimised by the gas plants at Port Campbell. How do my family and other effected residents get the Corangamite Shire to view the health of some of their residents the way councillor Griffin does? I would be grateful for answers to our questions

sincerely, Mr and Mrs Rogered