Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Western Metropolitan Region

David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (12:59): (543) My constituent lives near Little River, south of Werribee. His question is for the Minister for Planning and concerns the proposed Little River logistics precinct. My constituent fears that this project has significant implications for what has been described as Australia’s most endangered ecosystem, the grasslands of the Victorian volcanic plain. He says that the environmental vandalism of this project includes the clearing of 41 hectares of critically endangered natural temperate grassland, 300 vulnerable large-fruited groundsel and 1.3 hectares of critically endangered seasonal herbaceous wetland. The environmental surveys conducted appear to be woefully inadequate. With several state freight infrastructure projects in the pipeline, this project should be carefully considered to determine if it is necessary, and in the current location, and that its environmental impacts are understood and indeed justified. My constituent asks: will this project be referred for an independent environment effects statement or assessment so that the project can be considered thoroughly?