Earthquake relief for Clean Ocean Friends
The devestating earthquake that hit Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia has impacted on supporters of Clean Ocean. Sumatran Surfariis HQ is a surf tourism operator that employes locals and helps the community. They have turned their HQ into a relief centre to get the village back on its feet. You can help too by making a donation toward supplies needed for clean up and re-build.
Please donate via
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK
BSB: 083-294
Account number: 85-953-3870
Account name :Chris Scurrah
The Clean Ocean model for a sustainable future
 < Click here for larger image
The Clean Ocean Foundation is developing a model for the sustainable urban water cycle. The model presents principles that must be met by growing cities in order to meet the demands of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
The city of Los Angeles adopted such a model in 2008 by aiming to: 'Meet all new water demand through water conservation and recycling’.
To ensure a sustainable future for Australia, our cities must do the same.
If you represent an institution from any sector (academic, business, community, government, research, etc.), please contact our organisation (info@cleanocean.org) to sign on and signal your support of the Clean Ocean model.
Venus Bay outfall investigation
 < Click here for larger image Pic by T. Quinlan.
The Clean Ocean Foundation is currently investigating major delays to the upgrade of the controversial Venus Bay outfall that discharges dairy industry wastewater into Bass Strait. The outfall upgrade was announced by the Victorian Government in 2004. Yet the state EPA has allowed the project to be delayed many years as they wait for the Murray Goulburn Co-operative plant at Leongatha to upgrade onsite wastewater treatment.
A long term strategy for sustainable water use in the region and closure of the outfall is required.
Desalination - An ethical investment?
The National Australia Bank and Westpac's desalination funding will finance the industrialisation and pollution of Victoria's once pristine coastal environment. Yet the 'equator principles' have been adopted by both banks to ensure environmental and social considerations are made in their investment strategies.
Perth's far smaller desalination plant has already been forced to close at times due to negative environmental effects measured in the local marine environment. Any possible investors in desalination projects must be made aware of the reality of this energy intensive, polluting and ultimately unsustainable practice.
> Download more information & a letter to send to your bank here
Wow. What a Warturd Weekend!
Congratulations to the POO'S. Winning the FIRST WARTURD CUP 2009!
Check out some photo's and the shout out to those who made it happen HERE!
Melbourne Water - Upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant
After many years of advocacy, awareness raising and education, Clean Ocean has won a major victory in the push for sustainable water management and environmental protection. Melbourne's Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP) will be upgraded to produce Class A water by 2012 without an extension of the existing outfall at Gunnamatta Beach. As a result up to 40 billion litres of recycled water will become available for use over the next 30 years.
This means:
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Breaches of the EPA license guidelines occuring every day since 1975 on colour and odour at the Gunnamatta Outfall will be stopped in 2012
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Melbourne Water acknowledges the current health risk for beach users with Class C water will be greatly reduced
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Smaller projects must now be investigated to reduce flow of waste water to Gunnamatta after the upgrade
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$400 million extension of the outfall at Gunnamatta by 2km has officially been scrapped
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The upgrade will result in a lower pollutant load, but there will still be ecosystem effects due to discharge of freshwater to a saltwater marine environment
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Mt Martha Treatment Plant will be upgraded once ETP work commences
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The upgrade can support future drinking water treatment, this should be chosen before desalination at 1/2 the cost to environment and society
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UPGRADE FANTASTIC!....... But total closure is not in the FORSEEABLE FUTURE , thus Victoria will not be 'Water Sustainable'
Read Melbourne Water's Submission Summary.... Here in PDF. Works Approval Submitted to EPA... Long read.... Short reads below
 Photo: bendifferding.com
Get Real on Climate Change!
Seen the ad on TV yet? Yep, the Clean Ocean Foundation authorised the screening for a new campaign. The joint project between the Bass Coast Boardriders and Clean Ocean has rounded up a few well known beach lovers and we want YOU to do something!
The basis being that if damaging projects like desalination go ahead, then the ocean we love will keep being polluted because the need to recycle waste water and close outfalls will go cold, desal will pollute the air and water, and North South pipeines will drain inland Australia. So...
It is pretty simple. Head to WWW.GETREALONCLIMATECHANGE.ORG, watch the ad and after being informed, make your pledge. It will take 3 minutes max. So off you troddle. Click away!
Gunnamatta Beach - Marine National Park
Do you think it should be protected? Sign the online petition now....
Got a Bumper Sticker? Become a Member!
Yep, its pretty cool when you are getting around town and you see a fellow driver with a Clean Ocean sticker on the back window.
But are they a member? Hopefully so, because by the end of summer anyone with a sticker, WILL BECOME A MEMBER! So if you know anyone... (or you are one of the sticker owner/non member people) tell em (or yourself) to get on board. The time is now to stand up and be counted. Closure of the outfall is soooo close, yet soo far with out people power.
We will be out there too, campaigning and educating on the current issues. Targeting the half supporters to become true blue supporters. Keep a look out for THE BIG POO, carrying info and sample gifts from our sponsor SEASOL.
Victorian Water Forum
> Click here for The Facts on Purified Recycled Water
More news and information?
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