The Committee regretfully accepted letters of resignations from Doug Dalton and Jeremy Lewis at its last Committee meeting, and wishes to thank them both for their substantial contribution to Angair.
Parks Victoria have notified that the Iron Bark Gorge loop track will be closed until further notice, because of a fallen tree on one of the bridges, following severe weather events. Members of their staff are currently checking other walking tracks within the Eastern Otways.
Angair was delighted to hear that Alcoa’s preferred option for mine extension is to go deeper, rather than increase the footprint of the mine. This decision was taken after detailed analysis of the technical, environmental and economic factors, and consideration of social implications for the local community. This option will provide coal to the power station to 2022. One of the studies commissioned for the mine planning options was from Ecology Australia. Their report contains a wealth of information on the flora and fauna of the Anglesea Heath, and Alcoa intend to make this information available. More information on mine plan options is available on Alcoa’s website and it is expected that the Ecology Australia report will be added shortly.
The magnificent, new Anglesea CFA Fire Station was officially opened on Sunday, 18 August. The station is believed to be the first carbon neutral fire station in Australia. The opening enabled local people to tour the building and admire the ‘state of the art’ facilities, including the big new truck, the environmentally aware construction (wind turbine and solar electricity generation, sustainable timber, etc.) and also the garden areas planted out by Angair and other volunteers. Anglesea and Aireys Inlet are rated in the top three fire risk areas in Victoria. Education to increase fire and safety awareness, aimed at both the local community and visitors to nearby school camps, is a prime focus in the design of the new building.
Preliminary notice
The Grampians will be the venue for the October bush walk, the date being brought forward this year to Saturday, 26 October, to enable us to enjoy their wildflowers, and to see their beautiful bushland at its best.
Janet Stephens and Patrick Flanagan, again, have kindly offered to host us, with camping on their land from the Friday onwards. We will have a shared BYO BBQ on the Saturday night. There will be two short, guided walks with local experts. We will provide more details in next month’s newsletter.