Letters and Petitions

To make this process quick and easy, we have prepared ready-made letters you can instantly sign online or download and post if you prefer. Feel free to edit the letters before sending. If you have a letter or petition to share, please get in touch.

Download Letter Template

Letter Writing Tips

Be polite and open in your tone, and never use aggressive or threatening language—you are trying to build an ongoing relationship with your MP.
Let them know why you care. The more personal the statement, the better.
Express appreciation about something positive they’ve done.
Use assumptive language based on what you know about your MP, e.g. “as a parent/Victorian/lawyer/doctor (whatever applies to them), I’m sure you care about xyz.”
Ask to hear back from them about what they will do to address your concerns

Latest Letters and Petitions

These are the latest petitions. See recent petitions below, feel free to sign them too. If you sign a letter online and the email bounces back, you will need to copy and paste the text into your own email and send from your system. This may happen in a small percentage of cases.

Stop Habitat Fragmentation for New Electricity Transmission

Added: 16 August 2021

The Honourable Lily D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change

The proposed WVTNP will have a devastating impact on biodiversity by fragmenting many established and critical habitat biolinks connecting smaller areas of islanded habitat to the larger new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park…..

Read and Sign Petition

Stop Habitat Fragmentation for New Electricity Transmission

The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change

Australian Labor Party

lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au

Dear Minister

I would like to thank you for the amazing work you do in protecting Victoria's biodiversity.

It is exciting news that the Victorian Government has recently accepted VEACs recommendations to establish three new National Parks in the state's central west. This significant milestone leaves an impressive legacy for future generations and supports the tireless efforts of catchment management authorities, community groups and landholders, dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural ecosystems of Moorabool and surrounding region.

I am writing to express concern over the current proposed final corridor of the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP). An overhead energy transmission project that will have a devastating impact on biodiversity by fragmenting many established and critical habitat biolinks connecting smaller areas of islanded habitat to the larger new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park.

I am sure you would agree, we need to prevent further decline of our biodiversity by avoiding fragmentation of native habitat and critical biolinks to ensure that our natural environment is healthy, valued and actively cared for. Fragmentation of critical habitat by siting of transmission infrastructure in or over National Parks, Conservation Parks, Nature Reserves or Biolinks is simply not acceptable.

The proposed final corridor of this project will have a disturbing and irreversible impact on the important work of government supported conservation groups and directly contravenes the Biodiversity 2037 plan, the purpose of which is to preserve and enhance biodiversity and avoid further loss through habitat fragmentation.

Clearing of trees, shrubs, and other plant growth areas for transmission line easements and access tracks will permanently sever these biolinks, resulting in decreased genetic diversity and damage to, or loss of, significant plant and animal species from the area. Habitats are never able to recover to their original state because of the need to ensure ongoing accessibility to infrastructure for security, repairs, and maintenance.

Threatened species in AusNet's proposed 'final' corridor which would be negatively impacted by the transmission towers include:
1. Swift Parrot (critically endangered; migrates from Tasmania each autumn/winter)
2. Little Eagle (threatened)
3. Black Falcon (threatened)
4. White-throated needletail (threatened)
5. Platypus (threatened)
6. plus others

Threats to these species posed by the transmission towers include:
1. For birds - electrocution, entanglement, removal of trees used for feeding, nesting, and shelter (e.g. from predators), and clearing of biolinks and 'flyways' which help birds safely travel between habitat areas.
2. For platypus - removal of tall trees along riverbanks, leading to fewer burrows, less protection from heat and predators, and increased risk of waterway erosion and sedimentation. Waterway sedimentation can kill the macroinvertebrates on which platypus feed and block waterway flows.

Climate mitigation strategies can provide a rare opportunity to reduce not only carbon emissions but also a wide range of environmental problems. However, deployment of low-carbon technologies should avoid sensitive habitats in order to fully realise their environmental benefits without triggering unintended consequences.

It is absurd that Ausnet Services and the Australian Energy Market Operator are pushing toward destroying vital habitat biolinks, in the name of an otherwise positive transition to renewable energy. By doing this, they are giving to the environment with one hand, while taking away with the other. There are more environmentally, agriculturally and economically sound alternatives to the transmission corridor chosen, and I urge for this alternatives to be pursued instead.

I ask for your support to instruct AEMO and AusNet Services to seek an alternate, more viable, robust and less environmentally destructive option.

Sincerely,

You can add formatting using markdown syntax - read more

BCC yourself

Yes, I accept your privacy policy

12 signatures

Impact on the Significant Landscape of the Lerderderg State Park

Added: 23 April 2021

The Honourable Lily D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Solar Homes

The Honourable Richard Wynne
Minister for Planning and Housing

The Honourable Martin Pakula
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events

The proposed northern alignment runs adjacent to major forests and parks such as Lerderderg State Park. Overhead transmission infrastructure will be visible in several areas within and near this natural asset. This would directly conflict with the tourism brand of the area and one of the key motivations to visit….

Read and Sign Petition

Impact on the Significant Landscape of the Lerderderg State Park

The Honourable Lily D'Ambrosio - lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au

The Honourable Richard Wynne - richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au

The Honourable Martin Pakula - martin.pakula@parliament.vic.gov.au

RE: WVTNP – Impact on the Significant Landscape of the Lerderderg State Park

Dear Ministers,

I am writing to you regarding the Western Victoria Transmission Network Project (WVTNP). The Environment Effects Statement (EES) will propose high-voltage overhead transmission lines through significance areas. Namely, the proposed northern corridor between the suburb of Darley and the Lerderderg State Park, an irreplaceable place listed as State significant by the National Trust due to the high scenic value of its riverine and gorge landscape.

Overhead transmission infrastructure is incompatible with our obligations for the protection and enhancement of significant landscape. I am instinctively drawn to the scenic parks and cool, undisturbed forests of this part of the Region.

The community is concerned of the amenity impacts the transmission lines will have on these natural landscapes and the negative impact that will have on the State and Regionally significant landscapes and views that were identified in the South West Landscape Assessment Study (Planisphere, 2012).

The Lerderderg State Park is used extensively by tens of thousands of recreational nature lovers and bush walkers every year.  Landscapes are significant to different people for different reasons. The reasons vary from bring admired for their scenic beauty, to the cultural and historic value, recreation, mental health, environmental qualities, and/or the value to the regional economy and other less tangible values associated with the place, such as memories or associations.

I visit this region and the Lerderderg State Park to escape from my busy life, from the noise of the city and built-up environment.  I come to this park for the mental health benefits and to be one with nature. I do not come here to be confronted by an army of steel monstrosities.

I believe overhead transmission lines through this corridor will cause extensive, unnecessary, irreversible, and entirely unacceptable damage to the Park amenity and my reasons for visiting this region. I am concerned of the amenity impacts the transmission lines will have on this natural landscape and the negative impact that will have on the State and Regionally significant landscapes and views.

I urge you to insist on a comprehensive analysis of alternate options. The unique character and values of the Lerderderg State Park must not be sacrificed by overhead infrastructure when viable and far less damaging underground alternatives are available.

I look forward to your reply and confirmation this matter will be addressed.

Sincerely

You can add formatting using markdown syntax - read more

BCC yourself

Yes, I accept your privacy policy

87 signatures

Impact on Native Habitat

Added: 07 April 2021

Hon Sussan Ley MP
Federal Minister for the Environment

The Honourable Lily D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Solar Homes

The Honourable Richard Wynne
Minister for Planning and Housing

Having detrimental effects on the welfare of these natural habitats will not only impact our local environments but may potentially impact environments at a regional, national and global level if species are put at risk.

Read and Sign Petition

Impact on Native Habitat

Dear Minister,

I write this letter as a resident of the Darley / Coimadai / Merrimu region to voice concerns regarding the proposed northern alignment of the WVTNP and its impacts on our community. 
The purpose of this specific letter is to highlight the often-irreversible effect on the Significant Habitat of the Lerderderg State Park and surrounding environment.

The Lerderderg State Park and Gorge is so rich in natural beauty and significance. The Lerderderg State Park is a special and irreplaceable place, is one of the most majestic parks in Victoria’s western plains and one of the community’s natural icons. It has fundamental cultural significance for Indigenous peoples and is very much loved and enjoyed by all Australians. The whole river corridor has been assessed as having high scenic landscape value, from forested upper slopes to the spectacular scenery of the gorge (LCC 1991). Any significant development along the Lerderderg River or its immediate viewshed would have a detrimental and lasting effect. The Gorge has been created over thousands of years by the Lerderderg River. This river is one of Victoria’s eighteen Heritage Rivers and the only one of the six major rivers rising in the Wombat Forest with this designation. Heritage rivers are protected under the Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic) for their high conservation, recreation, or cultural values.

The area boasts a range of vegetation types including a Riparian Blue Gum and Manna Gum community of State significance as well as 23 other plant species including over 200-year-old Grey Box Gum trees. These are to be found within the State Park as well on private land adjacent.

The area is also a haven for Koalas, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Swamp Wallabies and Echidnas. Nocturnal animals include the Greater Glider, Mountain Brushtail Possum, and the Bent Wing Bat.

Bird life abounds including Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle which can be seen from many vantage points soaring above the area. Black Cockatoos, White Knapped Honeyeaters, White Throat Tree Creepers, Crimson Rosellas, Gang - Gang Cockatoos, the Superb Lyrebird and Large Forest Owls are also to be found throughout the area.

Impacts on wildlife habitats can take many forms. Many are irreversible.

1. Cinnamon Fungus - Invasive Cinnamon Fungus seriously affects native vegetation and causes the death of susceptible species and decline of fauna that depends on vegetation for food. The spread of this disease is accelerated though the transport of infected soil and gravel by road-making machinery and other vehicles that will be required to construct overhead transmission towers.

2. Transmission Line 'right-of-ways' - Easements create physical disturbance or destruction of natural land and air habitats. Clearing of trees, shrubs, and other plant growth areas for these 'right-of-ways', will be extensive and impact large areas of pristine forest. Habitats in these areas are never able to recover to their original state because of the need to ensure ongoing accessibility to infrastructure for security, repairs, and maintenance. This results in permanent damage to, or loss of, significant plant and animal species from the area.

3. Soil erosion - The Ordovician duplex soils of Lerderderg State Park are highly dispensable, making them extremely susceptible to erosion (Soil Conservation Authority & Land Conservation Council 1975). The removal of vegetation and development of easements, access tracks and construction sites encourage sheet, gully and tunnel erosion (DCE 1991). Increase in sediment input into Victorian rivers and streams due to human activities is listed as a potentially threatening process under Schedule 3 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

4. Weed infestation - Easements introduce weeds. Of most concern within the Lerderderg State Park include Gorse, Bridal Creeper and Blackberry, all of which are known to grow along cleared corridors. Serrated Tussock, which infests surrounding cleared land, poses the greatest potential threat to the ecology of the Park.

5. Overhead Transmission Lines Kill Birds - Australian bird populations (eagle, hawk, falcon, cockatoo, etc.), are exposed to significant physical and health associated risks from transmission lines and towers. TasNetwork's annual report showed that 29 Tasmanian wedged-tail eagles were killed with strikes to electricity infrastructure in 2017-2018.

Habitat destruction is one of the largest threats facing plants and animal species throughout the world. The loss of habitat has far-reaching impacts on the planet's ability to sustain life, but even with the challenges, there is hope for the future.

I urge you to support us by helping to save this unique and environmentally significant habitat so our flora and fauna can thrive, and the Lerderderg State park and surrounding region will remain untouched for future generations to enjoy.

Will you please champion this issue by advocating that renewable energy distribution should always be modern, sophisticated, sensitive to communities and the environment and above all, 'unseen'? I look forward to your response in the hope we can work to conserve and enhance our significant landscape features, fauna, flora, biodiversity and ecological values for future generations.

Thank you for your appreciation of this critically important matter.

Yours sincerely,

You can add formatting using markdown syntax - read more

BCC yourself

Yes, I accept your privacy policy

127 signatures

Closed Letters and Petitions

The following petitions are date specific and are no longer required to be signed. We have left them on the site as a record of our activity.

Mr Andrew Dyer – Community Concerns

Added: 26 March 2021

Mr Andrew Dyer
Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner

The Hon Angus Taylor MP
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction

In the renamed position of Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, Mr Andrew Dyer will oversee complaints and community concerns about major new transmission projects. This is a great opportunity to let him know our concerns on a local level.

Read and Sign Petition

Andrew Dyer - Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner

This petition is now closed.

Data Final: Apr 01, 2021

Signatures collected: 81

81 signatures

REZ Development Plan – Visual Pollution

Added: 25 March 2021

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)

The Honourable Lily D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Solar Homes

The Honourable Richard Wynne
Minister for Planning and Housing

State Government of Victoria REZ Development Plan Directions Paper and the proposed 6 Renewable Energy Zones. Visual Pollution and Renewable Energy. Why is the Victorian Government simply trading one form of pollution for another? Undergrounding must be the solution.

Read and Sign Petition

REZ Development Plan

This petition is now closed.

Data Final: Apr 01, 2021

Signatures collected: 71

71 signatures

Darley Power Fight Bury The Cables Banner

Join Now

Get Involved

The only way to make a difference is to get involved. It’s easy to sit back and wait for others to do something but when you are staring at 75-85m towers in a few years time, you will kicking yourself for not doing something when you had the chance. This is OUR only chance to stop these towers, so get involved now.

Donate Now

Welcome to the home of Darley Power Fight. A group of residents in Darley, Coimadai and Merrimu, united against high voltage transmission towers passing through our backyard. We came together through the realisation the transmission line will divide a narrow corridor between Darley and the Lerderderg State Park; altering landscape character, causing widespread damage to critical habitat for threatened species, increasing fire risk to the Park and thousands of residents, destroy our visual amenity, harm local agriculture and will impact businesses and property values. It will completely desecrate, in a few years, what nature has taken millions of years to create.

Learn more…

Letters and Petitions

Letter Writing Tips

Latest Letters and Petitions

Stop Habitat Fragmentation for New Electricity Transmission

Read and Sign Petition

Stop Habitat Fragmentation for New Electricity Transmission

Impact on the Significant Landscape of the Lerderderg State Park

Read and Sign Petition

Impact on the Significant Landscape of the Lerderderg State Park

Impact on Native Habitat

Read and Sign Petition

Impact on Native Habitat

Recent Letters and Petitions

Increased Fire Risk and Impact on Search and Rescue

Read and Sign Petition

Fire Risk - Search and Rescue

1001 Steps Darley

Read and Sign Petition

1001 Steps Darley

Visual Impact

Read and Sign Petition

Visual Impact Lerderderg

Tourism Impact Lerderderg

Read and Sign Petition

Tourism – Lerderderg Gorge

Community Impacts

Read and Sign Petition

Impacts on our community

Closed Letters and Petitions

Mr Andrew Dyer – Community Concerns

Read and Sign Petition

Andrew Dyer - Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner

REZ Development Plan – Visual Pollution

Read and Sign Petition

REZ Development Plan

Join Now

Get Involved