Lex Hammond, Bairnsdale
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I ATTENDED Kalbar’s ‘Environmental effects statement — technical studies; community information and consultation session on July 18.
I came away disappointed at the content of the presentation, underpinned by the fundamentally flawed Environment Effects Statement process.
As per the Environment Effects Act 1978, project proponents are responsible for preparing the EES and undertaking the necessary investigations.
Therein lies a fatal flaw.
Environmental Justice Victoria states ‘The process enables statutory decision-makers to determine whether a project with potentially significant environmental effects should proceed’.
During the EES process, the proponent undertakes, pays for and provides analysis or summary of investigations.
Clearly this creates overwhelming bias by proponents in determining what, where, how and why to investigate and how to demonstrate analysis of their ‘findings.’
The information provided and the ‘fact finding’ missions led by proponents of projects are targeted towards ensuring the approval of projects.
EES legislation creates dissent, confusion and outrage within communities, and is thoroughly outdated.
It is the government staying consciously stupid on matters of huge importance and social, environmental and financial costs locally, state and nationally.
This is disturbing.
We need truly independent reports created, with raw data publicly available for projects of this magnitude.
