Today was the youth organized Protest against Desalination

Ironically we had wet weather! What better way to show Australia that water capturing methods rather then desalination is the way to go.

The weather How ever did not deter a large group fired up locals from supporting our cause, the cause against desalination.

A massive group of people young to old assembled out side the whalebone signs and banners were distributed to everyone. The signs displayed messages that pinpointed our stance to desalination. Here are some of the messages displayed:

Stop the horror

Pass the salt

Invest in conservation, not desalination

Toxic shock

Save the fish

Say no to desal

And quite humorously was this slogan: DESAL SUCKS   

Before the group left on their march Jane cantwell and I were interviewed by a channel 10 news reporter. The reporter asked numerous questions about why we were against desal and what the march was about. However I don’t believe I was able to answer these questions to my best ability if I could turn back the clock there is so much more I would have said. Here is what I should have said:

Desalination is not the answer to Victoria’s water woes the problems of desalination can be shown in a simple equation

Desalination=

High electricity use=

Fossil fuel burning=

Greenhouse gas emissions=

Global warming=

Climate change=

Extreme drought=

Desal?

It’s obvious that desalination especially at the size of the plant that is proposed is not a good idea.

The 3.1 billion should be invested in water conservation and water saving infrastructure rather then massive electricity guzzling desalination plant. Only after every possible option has been explored should we even consider desalination. 

Energy use is not the only problem with desalination some of the other concerns are: the high salt concentrated brime that is distributed back into the very water that will yet again be desalinated, the solid waste that is produced by the plant (4 truck lodes a day), the smell, the noise emissions, the effects it will have on the Bunurong marine park, its effects on local tourism and the effects it will have on locals.

An Environmental Effects Statement (EES) must be done. We must lobby the government on this issue. The power is in our hands.    

After the interview the group crossed the road to assemble in front of the big mine whistle (opposite Safeway). We then began our march up McBride Street, which had been closed off by the Wonthaggi police for us. While we marched the group chanted slogans against desalination.

CONSERVE H2O, DESAL WE SAY NO!

DESAL WE SAY NO!

NO TO DESAL!

The group quickly marched out to the parkland in front of the council offices were we listened to locals air their concerns over desal. There was a great speech by a man from the Your Water, Your Say Action Group that was both inspiring and informative. All during the talk’s water pelted down upon us drenching us all and our signs, it was as if nature wanted to point out that desalination is a bad decision because rain is still largely evident in Victoria.  

Once all the talks were over locals hung around to chat to and congratulate one another. I would like to say a big thank you to all the dedicated protesters who braved the elements to stand up for their views, I would also like to thank all the great members of the Your Water, Your Say Action Group who helped the youth in organizing this great event. I suspect this protest is only the 2^nd of many.  for the mean time keep the rain coming!