Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Steve Moneghetti Track

Petition

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (17:43): I wish to speak on a petition of certain citizens of the state of Victoria, which drew to the attention of the Legislative Council today a plan to put 225 light poles, each 5.5 metres tall, around Ballarat’s famous Lake Wendouree. It is a very poor outcome. As the petition so succinctly put it, the decision:

… fails to consider more sensitive and respectful options such as in-ground cross-path illumination which is better for the environment, reduces light pollution, is less aesthetically offensive and costs less in long-term maintenance …

Importantly the cross-path, in-ground lighting would still achieve the goal of increasing the usable hours of the Steve Moneghetti Track. Lighting the track is something wanted by many. The importance of exercise and the need for people to be outdoors in nature was highlighted during the COVID lockdowns. We know these places are special, and they have become even more special. It is why I especially thank the community members who have worked and continue to work incredibly hard to fight for a much better, more respectful and considered lighting option for the lake. They are not giving up. They are true local champions. Their efforts to highlight the damage these lights will cause to the beautiful lake precinct resulted in a total of 1526 signatures to the petition. Its key intent is to request a pause in the process to enable better consideration of options that actually respect the environment, the ecology and the beauty of the lake and gardens environment. It is vitally important to understand that via this petition more people have said no to these deplorable lights than said yes to a vague idea suggested seven years ago to put lights around the lake. At that point they could have been fairy lights or floating lights, Minister, for all the respondents knew. Who would have known what sort of lights they were? This petition has demonstrated very clearly that once locals understood what sort of lights were being installed, they said a big, ‘No, thank you’.

Now, if this Premier is prepared to tear up a $1.3 billion contract for the east–west link, then surely this contract for a deplorable lighting solution can at least be put on hold. It remains unclear if the tender contract has been signed—a tender, by the way, which came in $1.3 million cheaper than the next contract at $3.4 million. One wonders what guarantees are in place to ensure that the ratepayers are not going to be hit with variation costs should they arise. I beg the City of Ballarat to hit the pause button, and I beg the Minister for Local Government to intervene in this matter. I doubt it will or he will, but I hope he will, given it is very obvious to observers in Ballarat that this Labor promise, headed by Labor MPs in Ballarat and spearheaded through the Ballarat council by a Labor-endorsed mayor, is being pushed and pressured through the City of Ballarat for political purposes.

Labor wants these ugly lights up by November. It does not care that this style of lighting is unwanted, ugly, intrusive and will change the beautiful place for generations. It will change it for those who may come with the potential staging of any Commonwealth Games activities at the lake in 2026. They will not get the beautiful open precinct that their 1956 Olympic Games sporting colleagues got. Lake Wendouree pole dodging may become a sport in its own right. For people who claim to give a damn for the environment, the 225 light poles are a callous outcome. Ballarat deserves better. And to the petitioners, I thank them for caring.

The PRESIDENT: The reason Mrs McArthur continued is that, with the 30 minutes for statements on reports, she had started and there was still 1 minute left, so she was allowed to go for the full 5 minutes. That is just an explanation for the house. She did very well.

Mr Leane: I would not have made that ruling in my time, President.

The PRESIDENT: It is a house ruling.