Friends of Merri Creek supporters, dressed as Growling Grass Frogs, will
travel by tram to the St Kilda electorate of the Planning Minister, John
Thwaites, on the Sunday before Valentine's Day, Sunday, 11 February.
Members of the public are invited to join in. Friends of Merri Creek and
the Growling Grass Frog, will catch the Number Eleven tram to St Kilda.
Meet at 11.30am at Stop 25 - near the roundabout at the bottom of St
Georges Rd Northcote - where St Georges Rd crosses the Merri Creek.
Spokesperson for Friends of Merri Creek Ms Norma Willoughby said "We will
be asking Mr Thwaites to give the Growling Grass Frog the kiss of life by
scrapping plans to build a freeway from Craigieburn to the Western Ring
Road which will ruin the Merri Creek environment."
The rare and endangered Growling Grass Frog, a spectacular, palm-sized
creature with iridescent blue and purple legs, is just one of the many
creatures at risk from the freeway proposal.
Ms Willoughby pointed out that the fate of the Merri Creek now rests with
Mr Thwaites, who is considering a report on the freeway proposal from a
government-appointed Advisory Committee.
"We fear the Committee will recommend that the freeway goes ahead because
its terms of reference ruled out the package of alternatives proposed by
Friends of Merri Creek - a Hume Highway upgrade together with rail freight
and improved public transport services to the outer northern suburbs" she
said.
The Committee's members were originally appointed by the Kennett Government
and recommended that the freeway go ahead during a similar planning process
when it was in power. They were re-appointed by the Bracks Government to
reconsider the freeway proposal.
Friends of Merri Creek has appealed to Mr Thwaites to release the Advisory
Committee's report for public comment before he makes a decision on the
freeway.
Ms Willoughby said "Such a move would be in line with commitments by the
Bracks Government that communities will be consulted about major planning
decisions which affect them."
"Despite the promises, Mr Thwaites has repeatedly refused to meet with
Friends of Merri Creek and local government bodies who are fighting the
freeway to seek their opinions about the freeway proposal", she said.
For more information:
Norma Willoughby H 9354 1886, 0412 609 164
Or Max Sargent H 9480 5492
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