PMS 1615

PMS 397

PMS 632

C: 0.0

M: 56.0

Y: 100.0

K: 43.0

C: 11.5

M: 0.0

Y: 100.0

K: 11.5

C: 76.0

M: 0.0

Y: 15.0

K: 11.5

An audit of the Baillieu Government’s delivery of its election promises on the environmentNovember 2012

EnviroWatch: Two years in…

2 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

EnviroWatch: Two years in… An audit of the Baillieu Government’s delivery of its election promises on the environment

November 2012 This report audits the Baillieu Government’s progress on implementing the Victorian Coalition 2010 election promises on our environment. This report was compiled in November 2012 – two years after the 2010 Victorian election. An updated audit will be compiled each year on the anniversary of the Victorian election. This report was compiled by Environment Victoria, the state’s leading, independent environment group. Environment Victoria is non-partisan and this report is not an endorsement of the Victorian Coalition’s election promises. EnviroWatch 2012: Two years in is published by Environment Victoria. Level 2, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Tel: (03) 9341 8100 Fax: (03) 9341 8199 www.environmentvictoria.org.au Environment Victoria mobilises people to safeguard our environment. As the state’s leading non‐profit environment group, we believe our future depends on all Victorians. That’s why we’re asking all 5 million of us to be part of looking after our environment. So what do you say? Are you in? Visit www.environmentvictoria.org.au today. Authorised by Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO, Environment Victoria © Environment Victoria 2012 Copies of this report are available at www.environmentvictoria.org.au/envirowatch Cover image: Powerful owl

3 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

Introduction The Baillieu Government is responsible for ensuring a healthy environment for all Victorians to enjoy. The decisions they make today will create a legacy for Victorians into the future.

The state government makes decisions on whether to approve renewable energy power stations or a new coal plant. Whether to dig a new landfill or instead to encourage a recycling facility. Whether to build a road or a railway line. They make the regulations that can either provide water to our precious rivers or bleed them dry. And they hold the power to unlock new green jobs or maintain our reliance on outdated and polluting technologies. They are the stewards of our environment.

The Baillieu Government was elected at the most critical time in history for our environment. There has never been a more important time for strong environmental leadership from our elected officials.

For 40 years Environment Victoria has held state governments of all political stripes to account for their environmental decisions. We hope that by doing this and providing ideas for a clean, sustainable Victoria, we will encourage the government to take action for, not against our environment.

The assessment was forwarded to the Baillieu Government on 12 November 2012, to provide any comment or additional detail on commitments where there was no information in the public domain. A response was received from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change on Thursday 22 November which has helped inform this assessment. Responses were not received from the Ministers for Energy and Resources, Water or Planning, so assessments on policies within these portfolios is ours alone.

Methodology

The Victorian Coalition did not release an environment or climate change policy platform prior to the 2010 Victorian election, despite publicly promising to do so on numerous occasions. However, a list of the Victorian Coalition’s significanti environment commitments made via the Coalition’s public statements, and via the policies the Coalition did release, was collated by Environment Victoria immediately following the election. This list was provided to the Baillieu Government following the election. It is these promises that are assessed in this report card. Significant additional actions taken by the Baillieu Government since its election that were not promised prior to the election are also highlighted in this report card.

Environment Victoria assessed the delivery of each promise based on publicly available information. The following is a description of the assessment methodology:

Promise status Description

Delivered The promise has been delivered in full by the Baillieu Government

Partial delivery The promise has been partially delivered.

Not delivered There is no publically available information to suggest work has commenced on the promise

Broken promise Promises that have been dropped or broken by the Baillieu Government

Backwards step Actions taken that were not promised but that will harm rather than help our environment

Forwards step Actions taken that were not promised but that will help our environment

4 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

Commitment Delivery status Delivered?

Water and rivers

1. Establish a Ministerial Advisory Council to report within 100 days of taking office on the planning, regulation, pricing, legislative changes and management required to improve the sustainability of Victoria’s water use.

2. Improve water pricing to increase financial rewards for water

conservation efforts by making consumption account for 60%, rather than 30% of bill prices.

3. Establish a $50 million fund over 4 years to promote water

sensitive urban design including a $5 million Green Roofs program.

4. Increase water efficiency rebates by $40 million and extend

rebates to new products and small business.

5. All government major projects will require rainwater capture and reuse.

6. Phase-out Melbourne’s reliance on the north-south pipeline by

diverting Melbourne’s share of water (when not needed) to meet the requirements of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

7. Honour ALP Government commitments to deliver additional environmental flows in the Yarra, Thomson, Murray and Snowy Rivers.

The Living Victoria Task Force delivered a broad road map to improve water sustainability. In April 2012, they released an Implementation Plan containing specific recommendations for reform.

ii The Government has responded to the

Implementation Plan and established the Office of Living Victoria, but has not yet committed to fully implementing all of their recommendations. No visible progress. The Government’s response to the Living Melbourne, Living Victoria Implementation Plan committed to “changing the Water Industry Regulatory Order to give greater tariff choice for water customers and to make developer charges more cost-reflective.” However, this does not appear to include this change. Funding provided in the 2011-12 budget for next 4 years. No visible progress beyond that. Rebates were increased to $40 million, but not by $40 million. New products added were pool covers and washing machines. Rebates were also extended to small business.

iii Rebates have now been expanded and extended to 2015.

iv

No visible progress. Some government major projects have included rainwater capture and reuse, but there is no evidence of a consistent or mandatory requirement for this to be the case.

v

Water delivery to Melbourne via the pipeline stopped in Spring, 2010. On November 15 2011 Minister Walsh announced that water retailers could sell their pipeline allocation, breaking the promise that this water would be used to deliver environmental commitments in northern Victoria. Confirmation of additional 8 GL for Thomson River in 2012 through Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy which will see ALP’s 18 GL environmental entitlement commitment met (though actual flows not necessarily delivered). ALP promised 20 GL environmental entitlement for Yarra, now have 17 GL entitlement, no discernible plan to deliver extra 3 GL. For Living Murray have had 202GL of promised 214 GL recovered. Snowy 282 GL target for 2012 looks like being met through entitlements (though only 84GL has actually been released into the Snowy

Delivered Not delivered Partial delivery Delivered Not delivered Broken promise Partial delivery

5 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

8. Allocate $10 million to improve health of Gippsland Lakes.

9. Substitute recycled water, rainwater and stormwater for

Melbourne’s potable water supplies by 110 billion litres by 2015 and 200 billion litres by 2030.

10. Close the Gunnamatta outfall in their second term of

parliament. 11. Ensure water entitlements held by the Environmental Water

Holder are treated the same as other entitlement holders, and that the environment has the same rights as other users.

12. Ensure the independently audited savings from stage one of

the Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Program (NVIRP) that are intended for the environment are placed in the control of the Environmental Water Holder.

13. Deliver a new set of minimum standards to make best practice water use mandatory for all new developments and redevelopments

14. Encourage builders of new private buildings, and occupants of existing private buildings, to use water efficiently.

to date). The Baillieu Government has established a $10 million Gippsland Lakes Environmental Fund, to support eight different projects in the region to monitor the health of the Lakes and support their restoration to health.

vi However, these

are unlikely to make a significant difference to the health of the Lakes, because the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee has a focus on recreational fishing and tourism, not the key issues affecting the lakes which are reduced freshwater inflows and increasing sea water intrusion through dredging at Lakes Entrance. No significant visible progress. No significant visible progress.

vii

Victorian Environmental Water Holder established July 2011 to manage environmental entitlements. These entitlements are subject to the same conditions as other entitlements, but comprise only a small proportion of the Environmental Water Reserve. Three Commissioners to the Environmental Water Holder were also established. No water shares have yet been allocated against NVIRP water savings. Environmental Water Holder currently receives supply by agreement. The Living Melbourne, Living Victoria Implementation Plan committed to change building and planning controls to mandate minimum water cycle performance standards for the construction of all new and renovated buildings.

viii However, the

Government response appeared to only partially accept this recommendation, stating that the Office of Living Victoria would be established to prepare a Regulatory Impact Statement for building controls for new buildings only. To date there has been no publicly visible action to actually implement this commitment. No change to existing water efficiency regulations for buildings. Rebates provide some incentive but have been assessed elsewhere in this report.

Delivered Not delivered Not delivered Delivered Partial delivery Not delivered Not delivered

6 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

The following election commitments may cause significant environmental damage:

15. Will not support the guide to the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP).

16. Will not regulate to implement any MDBP recommendations

earlier than 2019. 17. Fund feasibility studies for a possible dam for the Lindenow

Valley on the Mitchell River and for expanded dams at Lake William Hovell and Lake Buffalo.

18. Scrap water restrictions by 2012 regardless of status of water storages.

The Baillieu Government has consistently called for the current MDBP process to be delayed and for irrigator interests to be paramount. In response to campaigning from the Victorian Government, Commonwealth government and Basin states have agreed that Sustainable Diversion Limits will not come into force until 2019, weakening the Basin Plan. Has invested $1 million in Lindenow Valley Water Security Project to investigate water storage options.

ix Has committed $500,000 for a study into a dam at Lake

Buffalo and Lake William Hovell,x but to date does not appear to have provided any

money in the budget to actually undertake these studies.xi

The Minister has released new Model Water Restriction By-Laws; however, no action to scrap all restrictions appears has been taken, which is positive if it suggests a rethink.

xii Water restrictions have, however, been significantly eased

across much of Victoria.

Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step

Commitment Delivery status Delivered?

Climate Change

19. Direct the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission to inquire into and report on the design of a market-based gross feed-in tariff scheme for renewable energy.

20. Double the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy to $82 million for pilot renewable energy projects and extend eligibility to fuel cells, cogeneration and trigeneration.

21. Provide $100 million to the TRUenergy Large Scale Solar Power

VCEC did undertake and complete an inquiry into feed-in tariff arrangements which included an assessment of market-based gross feed-in tariff schemes.

xiii However,

the focus of the inquiry was on whether existing net feed-in tariffs should be continued or phased out, not whether they should be expanded into a gross feed-in tariff scheme. Further, the Government undermined this inquiry and their election promise to “Strongly support feed-in tariffs that provide a fair reward and encourage the supply of renewable and low emissions energy into the grid”

xiv

when they slashed the existing feed-in tariff twice —on the first occasion, before the inquiry was even commissioned. Funding provided in 2011-12 budget and funding beginning to flow to project recipients The project has now missed out on two rounds of federal funding under the Solar

Broken promise Delivered Partial delivery

7 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

station near Mildura, subject to federal funding. 22. Maintain energy efficiency rebate schemes, public housing and

low income energy efficiency programs.

23. Implement $20 million plan to replace inefficient street lights. 24. Provide $50,000 for Ballarat green waste project.

25. Review of subsidies for fossil fuels by June 2011 and encourage

the re-balancing of Victoria’s electricity generation portfolio to assist with meeting our accepted emission reduction target of 20% on 2000 levels by 2020.

26. Support Victoria’s legislated target to reduce greenhouse

emissions by 20% by 2020.

27. Transition all existing housing stock to meet an average of 5

star energy rating. 28. Secure 5 per cent (2500 GWh) of Victoria’s energy generation

from solar by 2020. 29. Extend the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target to small and

medium enterprises.

Flagships scheme, initially in 2011 and in the second round bid in 2012.xv

Before the second round, the Victorian Government promised to commit an undisclosed amount of funding (believed to be $50-$60 million) to the project if it was successful.

xvi

There has been continued funding for several small energy efficiency rebate schemes (in the order of $25 million per year). However, the future of these rebates is now in doubt with some program budgets expiring this financial year. Further, the Government continues to spend more than $390 million each year on gas, electricity and water concessions. This concessions budget would be much more effectively spent on energy and water efficiency programs which would help deliver progress towards the Coalition promise to improve the efficiency of Victoria’s existing housing stock to a 5 star standard. The Government scrapped this election pledge on 5 May 2012.

xvii

$50,000 grant to the City of Ballarat signed.

xviii

No visible progress. Despite describing the target before the election as “our accepted emission reduction target of 20% on 2000 levels by 2020”, and promising to release policy in this area ahead of the election, the Baillieu Government has since dumped the target — first by calling it ‘aspirational’, then by Treasurer Wells claiming that the target was not legislated, then by reviewing the Climate Change Act, then by proposing amendments to the Climate Change Act to remove the 20% target from the legislation entirely. No progress beyond increasing the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target and proceeding (after some equivocation) with 6 star standard for new homes. To date there is no publicly available plan or announced funding to achieve this commitment

xix. Funding will need to be provided in the 2013-14 budget if it is not

to be viewed as a broken promise in 2013. No visible progress and some uncertainty as to whether the Coalition plans to keep this very clear promise

xx. The Government’s action to twice reduce the solar feed-

in tariff actually makes this target more difficult to achieve. This target was doubled and the scheme extended to small and medium businesses.

Partial delivery Broken promise Delivered Broken promise Broken promise Not delivered Not delivered Delivered

8 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

30. Support demand management measures to reduce peak power

demand.

31. Apply a ‘climate test’ to new government policies, programs, investments and future infrastructure decisions to ensure they do not increase greenhouse gas pollution and instead contribute to its reduction.

32. Develop a comprehensive strategy and investment package for

engaging Victorians in sustainability, climate mitigation and adaptation programs as a part of meeting Victoria’s emission reduction target.

33. Develop, fund and implement a Climate Change Adaptation

Plan by the end of 2011.

34. Replace the Black Balloons program with a program to provide

practical energy efficiency and emissions reduction advice for households and small business.

35. Support a 0.8 tonnes CO2e-/MWh standard for new fossil fuel

energy generation which allows coal-fired power plants to be built in Victoria which are significantly more polluting than combined cycle conventional gas and renewables.

The following election commitments may cause significant environmental damage:

36. Reject the Climate Change White Paper commitment to reduce emissions from brown coal electricity generation by up to 4 million tonnes by 2014, to be achieved by closing one quarter of Hazelwood.

The Government has introduced voluntary opt-in flexible pricing for electricity, commencing in mid-2013.

xxi This is an important step, but a limited one, and the

Government has shown no signs of supporting other measures to reduce peak demand.

No visible progress. The Government cites the Climate Change Act as providing this

test; however, consideration of climate change under this Act falls short of this

election commitment.

No visible progress. The Baillieu Government has no clear plan for tackling climate change, despite promising to deliver one ahead of the election. Instead, they have scrapped the Climate Communities Fund, which would have supported engaging local groups and communities in action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

This was neither developed, funded nor implemented by the end of 2011, as promised in response to an Environment Victoria survey before the election. However, the Government response to the Review of the Climate Change Act supported the retention of an obligation to prepare a climate change adaptation plan by the end of 2012 in accordance with their obligations under that Act, and said that that plan was ‘currently being developed’. It is not clear whether this plan will be accompanied by any funding.

xxii

No visible progress. The Black Balloons program has been dropped, but the promised replacement has not been provided. The Government reversed their position on this, abandoning their election commitment just hours after dropping another election commitment to support the legislated 20% emissions reduction target for Victoria.

The Baillieu Government walked away from negotiations with International Power in early 2011, thereby leaving the fate of Hazelwood and any closure to be determined by the Federal Government and the market.

Partially delivered Not delivered Not delivered Not delivered Not delivered Broken promise

Backwards step

9 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

37. Impose new planning conditions on the construction of wind

farms to provide landholder right of veto to projects within 2 kilometres of a residence.

38. Support for the proposed HRL coal-fired power station.

39. Will assess any applications for new coal allocation or brown coal exports based on legislative requirements.

The Baillieu Government changed Victoria’s planning laws to give right of veto over wind farms to property owners within 2 km of a proposed wind farm. These rights exist for no other type of industrial development. In addition, the Baillieu Government went further than its pre-election policy by declaring whole local government areas off limits to new wind farms. The Baillieu Government has consistently supported this proposal for a new polluting power station for Victoria. The Government started to provide a grant of $50 million to HRL despite HRL missing key milestones in the funding agreement. Despite the Federal Government withdrawing their grant to HRL, the State Government is yet to withdraw their grant. The state government’s deed of contract with HRL stipulates that the state grant is void if the Federal grant is cancelled, so it is puzzling that the Baillieu Government is yet to withdraw the state grant. The Baillieu Government has announced plans for new allocations of brown coal from the Latrobe Valley, expected to be finalised by mid-2013. They are also running a taxpayer-funded PR campaign to improve the image of coal mining and coal-fired power generation, flying in the face of public opinion which clearly opposes new coal and supports renewable energy.

Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step

Commitment Delivery status Delivered?

Sustainability 40. Introduce Planning benchmarks to ensure that Victoria’s future

growth and development does not adversely impact Melbourne’s water demands; sewerage loads; nutrient loads into waterways; stormwater runoff; greenhouse gas emissions.

41. Develop a population strategy for Victoria

42. Develop a $5 million Latrobe Valley industry and employment roadmap including a socio-economic impact study of any move to phase out Hazelwood power station.

43. Establish a new independent public transport authority – the

Victorian Public Transport Development Authority – to integrate transport authorities and agencies. The agency will have $10 million funding over four years.

No visible progress. No visible progress. The Government appears to have chosen to develop a metropolitan planning strategy and regional growth plans instead.

xxiii

This has been delivered, to address the likely impacts of the national carbon price on energy intensive businesses in the Latrobe Valley.

xxiv

Public Transport Victoria is now up and running.

xxv

Not delivered Not delivered Delivered Delivered

10 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

44. Begin feasibility studies for Rowville Rail line, Fast Rail project

from Melbourne to Sydney, and planning for Melbourne Airport rail link and Avalon airport rail line

45. Continue subsidies being provided for hybrid and electric vehicles as a part of their registration.

46. Introduce a $5 million Backing Green Business Plan accrediting green businesses.

The following election commitments may cause significant environmental damage

47. Call for new inclusions for addition to Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary

The Rowville Rain Study has commenced,

xxvi as has the Melbourne airport Rail Link

Study.xxvii

The Government has committed $50 million to an Avalon Rail Link, leaving the federal government and airport owner Lindsay Fox to fund the rest.

xxviii

No visible progress on the Melbourne-Sydney fast rail project, or the Advocacy Unit that the Government promised to establish.

xxix

Continued to date, although it is not clear whether these will be continued in future.

xxx

Funding announced in 11-12 Budget

xxxi, has now been incorporated in

Sustainability Victoria’s Smarter Resources, Smarter Business program.

The Baillieu Government has now included an extra 5,958 hectares within the Urban Growth Boundary, undermining Melbourne’s Green Wedges including high conservation value remnant grasslands, and removing protections for threatened species like the Southern Brown Bandicoot.

xxxii

Partial delivery Partial delivery Delivered

Backwards step

Commitment Delivery status Delivered?

Natural environment

48. Establish a $20 million green grants fund for projects which improve biodiversity, reduce and manage waste and clean up coasts and waterways.

49. Establish a $4 million fund to plant 2 million trees

50. Establish VEAC investigations into a) existing marine parks and

any ongoing biodiversity threats and challenges, b) the condition and management alternatives for freshwater dependent ecosystems

51. Increase Landcare funding by $12 million.

52. Undertake a VEAC investigation into the biodiversity and

This fund was established in the 2011-12 Budget and round two of grants commenced in November 2012. The 2 Million Trees Initiative has now been established.

xxxiii

The investigation into marine parks has commenced with narrow terms of reference. The investigation into freshwater dependent ecosystems is yet to commence though the Government now says that this investigation will take place through the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy. Funding provided for 60 new Landcare facilitators, however only $50,000 provided for each position which may be inadequate to employ facilitators for many Landcare groups. A further $1 million committed to Landcare in 2012.

xxxiv

VEAC investigation underway

Delivered Delivered Partial delivery Delivered Partially delivered

11 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

ecological values of public land in the Yellingbo area

The following election commitments may cause significant environmental damage:

53. Reintroduce cattle grazing into alpine areas including the Alpine National Park.

54. No extension of the state’s marine parks.

55. 5% fuel reduction burning target across the State

56. No reduction in native forest resource available to logging industry.

57. Committed to reforming VicForests board

58. Abolished firewood permit system for collecting firewood from state forests.

Cattle introduced into the Alpine National Park in January 2011 for so-called ‘scientific trials’, despite widespread criticism from scientists. Victorian action blocked by Federal Environment Minister who made regulations to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to disallow cattle grazing in all Australian Alps National Parks. The Victorian government then unsuccessfully fought a VCAT action, doing its best to stop the release of documents outlining the ‘scientific’ basis for the trial, and then challenged the federal Minister’s decision in a yet-to-be-resolved court action. The Coalition continues to oppose the extension of the marine protected areas reserve. The large state-wide target encourages large burns in remote areas, and discourages strategic burns close to communities compromising planning for both biodiversity and public safety. Despite criticism of the target by the Royal Commission’s Implementation Monitor, the government remains strongly committed to it. Coalition ruled out reducing forestry activity and has maintained this position. Announced 4 new directors in October 2011, with 3 of them having a forest industry background, leading to criticisms that the moves removed transparency and independence from VicForests. Also gave VicForests responsibility for determining sustainable levels and conditions for logging. Firewood permits had originally been established by the Bolte Government in 1958. The decision to remove them was made without consultation or any public process. It weakens environmental protections and undermines emerging private markets for firewood.

Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step

12 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

The following actions were not commitments made prior to the election but may cause significant environmental damage:

Action Impact Status 1. Anglesea mine extension: renewing Alcoa’s lease at Anglesea

mine for 50 years.

2. Cancelling the voluntary Target 155 water efficiency program

3. Returning duck hunting season to 12 weeks in 2011.

4. Scrapping Climate Communities program

5. Allowing logging companies to be exempted from the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act

6. Amended National Parks Act to extend firewood collection in recently created Red Gum National Parks

7. Seeking federal funding to advance the East-West tunnel

freeway proposal.

8. Propping up the native forest logging industry for decades.

Mine lease extension will cause significant loss of high conservation value heathlands. The failure to require Alcoa to source any of their power needs from renewable energy was a lost opportunity. Residents were not granted the same rights to oppose expansion as residents near wind farms. Reduces awareness about water saving opportunities and increases pressure on Melbourne’s water sources. Is at odds with the Coalition’s reasonably strong water efficiency platform. After shorter duck hunting seasons due to drought in recent years the season returned to 12 weeks in 2011, adding further pressure to duck populations. The Baillieu Government has scrapped the $106 million Climate Communities program which supported local communities to take action to reduce emissions and prepare for climate change. Other important programs like Environment Victoria’s Sustainable Transport work also had its funding cut. A variation to the Code of Practice for Timber Production has been proposed to allow the exemption of logging projects from the requirements of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, which protects the state's endangered and threatened species. If this proposal is accepted it will represent a significant weakening of environmental protections for threatened species. Although the submissions period closed in February 2012, it is not yet clear if the changes have actually been made.

Undermines integrity of National Parks system and removes important habitat for some species. If the East-West tunnel was constructed it would lead to increased traffic and emissions via induced demand and starve genuinely sustainable transport projects of funding. The Government released a Timber Industry Action Plan that would prop up the ailing Victorian native forest logging industry for decades. Notably, it involves offering logging companies long-term contracts of up to 20 years, and providing a State Government indemnity to companies if the contract is broken due to a change in policy.

xxxv

Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step

Backwards step Backwards step

13 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

9. Removing renewable energy from Sustainability Victoria.

10. Reversing moves to phase out cattle grazing in the Murray River Park.

11. Abandoning plans for a Victorian bottle deposit refund scheme.

12. Slashing $130 million from environment programs in the budget

13. Weakening planning rules that protect Victorians from climate-change induced sea level rise.

14. Approving an open-cut goldmine in the heart of Wombat Forest near Daylesford.

15. Opening up national parks to development.

16. Cut all funding to the native fish strategy.

17. Slashing jobs in DSE, DPI and Parks Victoria.

18. Reforming planning zones to undermine Green Wedges.

In December 2011 the Government refocused Sustainability Victoria, by phasing out some of its renewable energy and climate change programs, and making waste management and resource efficiency the new priority.

xxxvi While there may be

some benefits from the SV review there is now no branch or office of Government dedicated to attracting renewable energy investment to Victoria. In March 2012, the Baillieu Government abandoned plans to phase out 229 cattle grazing licences along the Murray River, and froze plans to declare a new Murray River Park.

xxxvii

In March 2012, the Baillieu Government said that it would not be introducing a Victorian bottle deposit refund scheme, despite senior Cabinet Ministers having supported the idea while in Opposition.

xxxviii

The Baillieu Government’s budget in May 2012 cut spending on environmental programs by $130 million — the biggest reduction for any government department.

xxxix

In June 2012 the Baillieu Government wound back planning rules designed to protect Victorian homes for sea level rise caused by climate change, against the recommendations of a major review by the Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee.

xl

DPI has approved excavation for this project, which involves the clearance of native vegetation and the risk of cyanide and other chemicals contaminating nearby rivers.

xli

The Baillieu Government has announced plans to allow private tourism developments in national parks, overturning protections that had been in place for decades. It has also directed VEAC to recommend areas for mineral prospecting in nine national parks where it was previously excluded. The Baillieu Government has cut all Victorian Government funding to the Native Fish Strategy, a 50 year strategy to restore native fish populations in the Murray-Darling Basin. Budget cuts announced by the Baillieu Government have led to front-line job losses in marine research,

xlii river health,

xliii and national parks.

xliv

The State Government has announced planning zone reforms that significantly reduce the protection provided by green wedge zones, allowing much more development (including heavy industry) into green wedge zones without a permit for the first time.

Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step Backwards step

14 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

19. Announced $45 million taxpayer funding for new brown coal

projects via the Advanced Lignite Demonstration Fund.

20. Cut support for farm forestry, and diverted it to supporting

logging in native forests.

The Baillieu Government has chosen to invest more public funding in polluting brown coal projects despite Victoria being overly reliant on brown coal, and so-called ‘clean coal’ projects and technologies being uncommercial or non-existent. The support that DPI previously provided to farm forestry – an activity that improves not just the regional environment but agricultural productivity as well – was discontinued in November 2012, and those resources were diverted to managing contractors in public forests.

Backwards step Backwards step

The following actions were not commitments made prior to the election but may deliver significant environmental benefit:

Action Impact Status 1. Increasing the landfill levy, and investing in resource recovery 2. Additions to Victoria’s protected areas network 3. A five year plan to clean up the Yarra and Port Phillip Bay 4. Signing up to coal and coal seam gas mining reforms. 5. A ban on unsafe hydraulic fracturing for unconventional gas

The 2011-12 State Budget accelerated increases to the landfill levy which will support recycling businesses and jobs and reduce waste to landfill. The Baillieu Government has reinvested this levy into organic waste recovery and recycling.

xlv

In October 2011 new state parks and extensions to existing parks were declared covering an area of over 10,000 hectares.

xlvi

In October 2012 the Baillieu Government released a new plan to clean up the Yarra and Port Phillip Bay. However the plan does not provide any new funding and is instead an effort to coordinate $1 billion worth of existing investment.

xlvii

Signed the National Partnership Agreement on Large Coal Mines and Coal Seam Gas, which requires the advice of an independent scientific committee (established by the Commonwealth) before approving new large coal or coal seam gas projects which may pose a threat to water resources. The Baillieu Government in August adopted a temporary ban on approvals to conduct hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) in onshore gas operations, a permanent ban on the use of BTEX chemicals, and a commitment to strengthen resource legislation and policy to better protect the environment.

xlviii

Forwards step Forwards step Forwards step Forwards step Forwards step

15 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

Results There were 58 environmental policy commitments of significance made ahead of the election. Of these: • 13 commitments have been delivered in full • 10 commitments have been partially delivered • 14 commitments have not yet been delivered • 15 commitments represent a backwards step for our environment • 6 promises that were made have been broken.

Additionally there have been 25 significant actions taken with environmental consequences. Of these: • 20 represent a backwards step for our environment • 5 represent a forwards step for our environment.

13

10

14

15

6

Delivered in full

Partially delivered

Not yet delivered

Backwards step for our environment

Broken promise

20

5

Backwards step Forwards step

16 ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA | ENVIROWATCH 2012: TWO YEARS IN

ENDNOTES iEnvironment Victoria only included policies that had a clear and significant environmental impact, which meant that commitments like free zoo entry for children, or the dredging and clean up of the Mordialloc Creek funded by Communities for Nature (which was assessed within this report) are not listed as specific commitments. ii http://www.water.vic.gov.au/livingvictoria/implementation-plan. iii http://www.water.vic.gov.au/saving/home/rebates iv http://www.water.vic.gov.au/resources/news_items/news_items_folder/extension-to-water-rebate-program-announced. v http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/from-the-minister-for-major-projects.html. vi http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/4607-10-million-to-restore-and-protect-gippsland-lakes.html vii http://www.peninsulaweekly.com.au/story/293792/gunnamatta-sewage-overhaul-long-overdue/. viii http://www.water.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/135340/6314_DSE_Living_Victoria_ImplementationPlan_accessible_2.pdf pages 10, 15 & 16. ix http://www.water.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/127608/7_Gippsland_Chapter_6.pdf p 140. x http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-will-ask-miners-to-pay-for-new-dams-20120310-1urex.html. xi http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/05/24/485941_water.html. xii http://www.water.vic.gov.au/saving/restrictions; http://www.gippswater.com.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=6kk_J_J2nzI%3D&tabid=120&mid=482. xiii http://www.vcec.vic.gov.au/CA256EAF001C7B21/WebObj/PowerfromthePeople-FinalReport/$File/Power%20from%20the%20People%20-%20Final%20Report.pdf. xivhttp://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&ved=0CGUQFjAK&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenewable.newstead.vic.au%2Fd%2F%3Fq%3Dfiledepot_download%2F2%2F20&ei=gUCgUKeqBen_iAf1n4CoAQ&usg=AFQjCNH_amvUxmuwscmOOd2ulUlRtz0FsA xv http://www.milduraregion.com.au/News-and-Events/Latest-News/Announcement-of-Solar-Flagships.aspx. xvi http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-endorses-solar-park-project-20120514-1yn2p.html. xvii http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-axes-street-lights-conversion-20120504-1y4je.html xviii http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2910-coalition-promise-turns-garden-scraps-into-clean-power.html. xix http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/energy-efficiency-means-savings-20120909-25mgn.html. xx http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-silent-on-solar-power-goals-20120723-22kqi.html xxi http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/vic-switch-to-flexible-electricity-prices/story-e6frf7kf-1226482092543. xxii http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/136486/CCAREV-Report_online.pdf. xxiii http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-20/population-strategy-for-regional-victoria/2722956; http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/plansandpolicies/ruralandregionalplanning/regionalgrowthplans. xxiv http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry-programs/latrobe-valley-industry-and-employment-roadmap. xxv http://ptv.vic.gov.au/. xxvi http://www.rowvillerailstudy.com.au/. xxvii http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/melbourne-airport-rail-link-study/ xxviii http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/avalon-airport-lands-internationalstatus-lease-20121012-27ijn.html xxix http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-pushes-highspeed-rail-links-20101123-184p9.html. xxx http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/RenewCancelOrUpdateRegistration/ConcessionsAndDiscounts/HybridVehicleRegistrationDiscount.htm. xxxi http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/830-green-tick-for-green-businesses.html. xxxii http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/protection-for-threatened-species-scrapped-20120613-20axf.html. xxxiii http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/137382/2-Million-Trees-Factsheet.pdf. xxxiv http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3978-coalition-funds-an-extra-1-million-for-landcare.html; http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/six-new-suburbs-but-little-public-transport-20120613-20alo.html. xxxv http://www.theage.com.au/environment/timber-gets-longterm-commitment-20111213-1ot7w.html xxxvi http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/call-to-drop-climate-focus-for-recycling-20120222-1to6e.html. xxxvii http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cattle-ban-along-river-put-on-hold-20120229-1u3ie.html. xxxviii http://www.theage.com.au/environment/baillieu-retreats-on-bottle-refund-scheme-20120304-1ub4u.html. xxxix http://environmentvictoria.org.au/media/climate-land-biodiversity-face-biggest-cuts xl http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-eases-sea-level-regulations-20120605-1zu9i.html. xli http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/mining-plan-sparks-fears-for-wombats-20120811-241il.html. xlii http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2012/09/12/350191_news.html

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xliii http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/06/04/3517301.htm xliv http://environmentvictoria.org.au/media/parks-victoria-cuts-show-%E2%80%98contempt%E2%80%99-says-union. xlv http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3411-55-million-for-organic-waste-recovery-and-recycling-in-rural-and-regional-victoria.html. xlvi http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/parks-get-10000hectare-expansion-20111027-1mm66.html xlvii http://vic.psnews.com.au/Page_VICpsn2841.html xlviii http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/4710-reforms-to-strengthen-victorias-coal-seam-gas-regulation-and-protect-communities-.html.

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