Melbourne Zoo

This article thanks all who attended the celebration today (7 December 2014) to give thanks to the incoming Labor Government and to all who have campaigned for years to save Royal Park and the Zoo from certain destruction should the East West Link be constructed. The article also contains a photo of a concerning note left by East West Connect for a resident, requesting some kind of ongoing involvement in the link.

The Zoo celebration event was sponsored by MCAT - Moreland Community Against the East West Link, PPL VIC - Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. and RPPG - Royal Park Protection Group Inc. Thanks go to the Zoo Director, Mr. Kevin Tanner, who addressed our group and escorted us to the elephant "paddock" (if that is the correct name) where the curator gave us a great report on the Zoo elephants and their histories. (The Zoo waived entry fees for our group.) I hope Channel 2 ran a report on the news. We finished the visit with lunch at the Lakeside Cafe.

Note the photo of a child, Alexandra, dressed as a unicorn holding a wombat with the message : "Thanks Dan 4 Saving the Zoo"

The 'Dan' in the sign refers to the new Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, who said he will not go through with the
East West link, which the outgoing Coalition government was hell-bent upon. The freeway would have affected the zoo.

This photo and the photo of the group (where one person is still reading the message on her poster) were done by Jill Quirk. Thanks also go to Michael Petit for MCAT who spoke about the threat to Zoo animals by the East West Link. And lastly to Rod Quantock the MC of the event and President of PPL VIC.

See article in Age re elephants: "East West Link opponents - project risk to zoos pregnant elephant Num -Oi" (Age 22 November 2014.)

One of the objectives of PPL VIC mentioned to Mr. Tanner at today's event is to have talks about promoting public transport for visitors to the Zoo and revive the plan for a special tram on the 55 Coburg line to be painted with Zoo animals like the old tram on the Elizabeth Street/Royal Parade line which existed 10 years ago or so.

Donations needed to help Cover Legal Costs Incurred over East West Link Plus Heritage Listing

As people might be aware, not only did the Coalition Government sign contracts before the election and prior to proceedings in the Supreme Court, but actually commenced work in Royal Park 2 weeks before the election marking out trees at the Tunnel entrance plus a construction road up Brens Drive and through the State Netball and Hockey Centre carpark. Our lawyer wrote letters to the East West Link Connect consortium demanding that they desist from marking trees and stop work. We are therefore sending out a request for membership renewals for groups or individuals and/or for donations. As you will be aware Royal Park was included on the State Heritage Register but then Minister Matthew Guy listed exemptions for the East West Link this rendering the heritage listing useless. We are now seeking legal advice to delete the exemptions thus ensuring Royal Park is protected forever!

What's Happening over Work on the EW Link?

Received today was a report by a resident in Parkville that he received in the mail yesterday (see attached) a notice from East West Connect. He rang today Saturday and they said they wanted to put a machine on his balcony "to record the sound levels from the City Link highway for a week"! He declined. Please advise me if anyone else has been getting notices from East West Connect. We will investigate. .

Disturbing News Re Possible Clearfelling of Trees in Princes Park.

According to a number of reports trees on the perimeter of Princes Park including the 100 year old Moreton Bay Fig trees and the lines of eucalypts are marked out with yellow paint and the ground marked in pink. This could signify complete and wholesale axing of tree cover. The City of Melbourne received $14 million for the development of sports grounds including Princes Park to compensate clubs on the Ross Straw Field when it was thought this section of the Royal Park would be taken over by the East West Link. So the question arises. Is the development of Princes Park going ahead under false pretences now the EW Link has been cancelled?. Does any of this development conform with the Princes Park Master Plan? A cursory inspection of the plan would indicate that all the existing trees are in the Plan. We will question Councillors and staff. Please if anyone can supply photos of marked trees let me have them ASAP.

Source of article: Taken from a report by Julianne Bell, Secretary
Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc.
PO Box 197
Parkville 3052

Inside see copy of the letter from a lawyer which was today delivered to East West Connect, Linking Melbourne authority and Lend Lease, on behalf of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc and Royal Park Protection Group Inc.. advising that work on the Link is no longer justified. This article extends an invitation to celebrate the end of East West Link and documents the cessation of work on this loathed piece of infrastructure. So many people worked so hard to stop this abomination, spent so much time and their own money. Many thought they could never win. Even the judicial system seemed aligned with the government against the people. Julianne Bell and others who followed her example have truly earned this extraordinary outcome, which certainly contributed to the undoing of the Napthine Government.

Work Started in Royal Park on East West Link by East West Connect Consortium Prior to Election

The EWC consortium had already started marking out trees and roadways in Royal Park. The East West Link campaign group gathered at 6 am this morning 2nd of December at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Royal Park to monitor whether the team of EWC surveyors would arrive . Julianne Bell was ready for them with a letter from a lawyer (see below) but they did not show. This letter has been sent to East West Connect, Linking Melbourne authority and Lend Lease.

Legal letter

"To Whom It May Concern:

I act for the Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc and Royal Park Protection Group Inc.

You would be aware that the newly elected Victorian State Government, led by Daniel Andrews, has committed itself not to build the East West Link.

You would be aware also that the outgoing Minister for Planning’s decision to approve the first stage of the East West Link project is the subject of judicial review proceedings in the Supreme Court.

In the present circumstances, it is my clients’ view that there is no justification for your carrying out any survey work in Royal Park.

On behalf of my clients, I request that you cease and desist immediately from carrying out any further work in Royal

Park.

My clients reserve all their rights.

Yours faithfully

Dominica Tannock"

Celebration of Finally Saving Royal Park and the Zoo from the East West Link Toll Road.

A number of who were involved in the long standing Save the Zoo campaign including Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. (PPL VIC ); Royal Park Protection Group Inc ( RPPG); and Moreland Community Against the East West Tunnel (MCAT) decided that they should celebrate saving Royal Park and the Melbourne Zoo as the Labor Government is committed to abandoning the EW Link Toll Road.

In August last they nearly had a celebration over the deletion of the Elliott Avenue interchange from the EW Link plans but cancelled it due to information they received about secret Zoo plans for more carparks in Royal Park. So here is the plan for the event. Please invite any of the individuals you know who assisted with the protests or "information sessions" outside the Zoo Twilight concert nights over the last year or so.

When : Saturday 6 December 2014 gather at 11:00 am outside the main entrance of the Zoo. All are most welcome

Dress: Children dress up in Zoo animal costume for there will be photo sessions at the Main Entrance and then inside at the 'Saving Extinction' sign which is in the main drive just down inside the Zoo from the entrance.(Bring your cameras!) We want to celebrate that we saved the Zoo itself from extinction - from noise, vibration, blasting and light glare first from the Elliott Avenue turn off 40 metres from the endangered species and then cut and cover roadway 150 metres from the Zoo.

Admission: The cost per adult is $30.80c per adult. Children free. Also Friends of the Zoo is free - please bring membership card. We will try to obtain free entry or concessions but need to know how many will attend. Please RSVP with the expected number in your group.

Lunch: After the photos we will proceed to the Lakeside Cafe for lunch which we will have to buy. You could bring your own to eat in the gardens if not wishing to have cafe food. . We will then visit Num Oi the pregnant elephant. She could have been affected had the EW Link proceeded.

Transport: Carparking at Zoo near front entrance ($2 coin for 5 hours). Parkville Station on Upfield line near north entrance to Zoo (walk round to front entrance to join for the photo ops. Tram #19 to Stop #16 in Royal Parade, get off at Walker Street and walk 250 metres west to Zoo. Melways Map Reference for Tram Stop #16: (Page 29 H12). Cycle parking available.

Enquiries & RSVP: Michael Petit MCAT Mobile: 0417 354 169. Julianne Bell PPL VIC Mobile: 0408022408

#A9F5D0;line-height:120%;">#10;/files/zoomarch-2-tiny.jpg" vspace="3" hspace="3" align="left" />Led by Rod Quantock and organised by Moreland Community Against the Tollway, the Children's March for the Animals drew a concerned crowd despite the pouring rain, to raise awareness of the serious threat the East-West tollway poses to the Melbourne Zoo. It is proposed to be built at around 40 metres from the zoo wall (pictured below the video).

Support Julianne Bell's efforts in legal battle to defeat EastWest link

Of course, ongoing thanks and support are in order as well for the herculean efforts of Ms Julianne Bell, founder of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria and Royal Park Protection Group, to save the Park and the Zoo, notably her almost single-handed mounting of and daily attendance at the current monumental and very expensive legal battle in this effort. (Direct deposit of donations can be made to Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. at MECU BSB 313 140 Account No 23145714. or to the "Royal Park Protection Fighting Fund": MECU: BSB 313 140 Account no. 23145824. (Ring MECU for any queries on 132888) )

Respect our exotic zoo community of animals

Animals need their sleep and not to be subjected to more unnatural noise! Habitat is shrinking throughout the world and we owe those exotic animals we have bred and kept in captivity this respect.

Speaker, Michael Petit, in the video calls on Melbourne Zoo to do their own study of projected noise levels and not to passively rely on what they are fed in terms of information by the people in charge of the EastWest Link project.

At the ceremony at the Zoo a petition was delivered to Ms Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria. Rod Quantok read out the message of support of the 22 community organisations who had advised Protectors of Public Lands VIC that they oppose the East West Link and its impact on the Melbourne Zoo. A message from Dr Marc Bekoff, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Colorado University in the USA and co-author with the famous Dr Jane Goodall of books on children and animals, along the same lines was also read out. PPL VIC and MCAT will be writing to Ms Gray and to the Premier with our combined message plus the names of supporting groups.

Why is Tony Abbott prepared to fund this monstrosity against the people's objections?

Candobetter notes that Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, is insisting that his government will provide billions to build this unnecessary, almost useless, and hated toll-way. This willingness to fling taxpayers money at the unwanted EastWest Link whilst he is preparing Australians for barbaric cuts in health and welfare is an insult to citizens. What can the reason be except to transfer our remaining wealth to the developers, who are making our lives hell.

#FFEB46;line-height:120%;">Moreland Community Against the Tunnel (MCAT) is organising a Children's March for the Animals to Melbourne Zoo. The march is this Sunday 4 May, 1PM! The proposed East West Link runs within 40m of the zoo, and will involve cut and cover construction right through Royal Park, including removal of 1000s of trees. The March for the Animals is designed to draw attention to the risks to the zoo as a result - risks which have still not been assessed. Adults and children are encouraged to join the march, ideally dressed as their favourite zoo animal. Australian entertainer with a social conscience Rod Quantock will lead the Children's March for the Animals from Princes Park 500 metres to the Melbourne Zoo.

Where: Gather around the red brick Sport Pavilion in Princes Park on the footpath 20 metres south of Walker Street (Melway Reference Page 29 H12). By Tram 19 it is stop #16 within eyesight of Visy Park, home to the Carlton Football Club. By train, get off at Jewell Station on the Upfield Line and proceed two blocks to Sydney Road and then south to the assembly point at Princes Park, an 8 minute walk. As 4 May is a Sunday, there is free car parking along both sides of Royal Parade.

What will happen?

1.30PM -- Children, some in animal costume or holding a soft zoo animal toy, will form up behind a giant giraffe and streamers for a 500 metre walk led by Grand Marshal Rod Quantock across Royal Parade and onto the main entrance to the Melbourne Zoo. Victoria Police and Event Marshals will ensure a safe crossing.

What happens at the Zoo?

1.45PM – Arrive at the main entrance to the Zoo. Long large tables will provide activities for children. Beforehand, those carrying soft toys will place them in a mini-zoo.

2PM – Children move to a table to 1) paint zoo animal faces on paper plates; 2) cut out and colour drawn animals; 3) write a letter to Zoo officials asking them to protect the animals and 4) sign a scrolled petition seeking to cancel the East West Toll Road to save the animals from road rage. Adults will also be called on to sign the petition.

CONTACTS: Organiser: Michael Petit, Moreland Community Against the East West Tunnel (MCAT) Mobile: 0417 354 169 email: michael[AT]carolinepetit.com
Enquiries re EW Link: Julianne Bell Secretary Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. (PPL VIC) Mobile: 0408022408 jbell5[AT]bigpond.com

Find out more: www.facebook.com/MorelandCAT
Email: MorelandCAT[AT]gmail.com

"If Oregon can shut down highway construction adjacent to its zoo for four months over concern with the health of one pregnant elephant, what are the ongoing risks to the animals at Melbourne Zoo? These are amongst the questions that need answers before any contract is awarded." Michael Petit

Detailed study required of zoo animal health risk re East-West Link tunnel

Candobetter.net has been forwarded an important communication written by Michael Petit on "the need to get the Melbourne Zoo or State Government to commission a detailed study on the serious health risks to vulnerable animals at the Melbourne Zoo prior to the signing of a contract for the East West Toll Road and Tunnel." [Headings added by candobetter.net editor]

Mr Petit writes:

"An examination of the Linking Melbourne Authority (LMA) Comprehensive Impact Statement (CIS), video and media comments makes it clear that any detailed examination of the noise, vibration and lighting from the Toll Road and Tunnel that comes within 100 metres of the Melbourne Zoo will not occur until after the contract is signed. This would be a huge mistake.

Throughout LMA's documents and statements it reveals no detail whatsoever on anticipated levels of noise and vibration but simply says that the project will (quote) "meet international standards."

However, the noise levels sanctioned by VicRoads for new major toll roads including the East West Toll Tunnel are at levels that according to two Reports from the World Health Organization sanction levels that cause adverse health effects on people and by reasonable extension to vulnerable zoo animals. Tolerable noise levels are critical at night when species such as elephants and rhinos that will be within 100 to 150 metres of the project and, like people, need a good night's sleep.

However, VicRoads permits noise levels of 63 dB(A) for new toll roads and 68 dB(A) for old ones so its multiple claims in its Comprehensive Impact Statement documents that they 'meet international standards' is simply not the case."

Australian noise standards very lax compared to international ones

Mr Petit continues:

The World Health Organization comparable standard for Europe is 55 dB(A) as is the 55 dB(A) set by the New South Wales road authority including works on the Northern Pacific Highway. It is an even a lower 45 dB(A) for applicable road works in Hong Kong. These are the real international standards.

Oregon Zoo no comparison: Melbourne plans infinitely worse

[... T]he State Government is fond to cite the tunnel under the Oregon Zoo as an argument for its East West project. But there are some very significant differences.

The tunnel was 79 metres below the surface in Oregon but will emerge or start at ground level and burrow 30 or 40 metres underground directly outside the Melbourne Zoo. It was already at 79 metres depth when it passed under the Oregon Zoo. Also, the elephant area at the Oregon Zoo is between 200 and 300 metres from the major Sunset Highway US 26 compared to 100 to 150 metres in Melbourne. More than twice the distance in depth and distance. And, in Oregon, the Department of Transportation suspended works on US 26 for four months to avoid any risk of miscarriage for one of the elephants at Oregon Zoo.

Why isn't Melbourne Zoo asking more questions?

"We should therefore not only be concerned with vibration and noise during construction but on an ongoing basis as thousands of trucks from Port Melbourne stream through the tunnel hour after hour, day after day. This raises a number of interesting questions such as whether there are animals that may have to be relocated during and/or after construction and why is the Zoo not asking more questions! And, as the gestation period for elephants is 22 months, are there any pregnant elephants at Melbourne Zoo or likely to be over the next five years proposed for construction of this toll road and tunnel project?

If Oregon can shut down highway construction adjacent to its zoo for four months over concern with the health of one pregnant elephant, what are the ongoing risks to the animals at Melbourne Zoo? Will some have to be relocated?

These are amongst the questions that need answers before any contract is awarded.

Melbourne Zoo's baby elephant has been blessed by Buddhist monks after Victorians voted to name her "Mali", the Thai word for the jasmine flower.

(Jasmine flowers)

The elephant is a national symbol for Thailand and the animals are usually named after local flowers. The elephant herd originally came from Thailand, and records say that 94% of Thais are Buddhists.

Sadly, there is no animal "Christening" or official Blessing ceremony in the Christian church.

There is little or no agenda in the church to recognize non-human creatures, despite their worshipping of God of All Creation.

Buddhists advocate vegetarianism because it is about "mercy", and because they Karma tells them that we must eventually all suffer the consequences of evil actions. Not all Buddhists are vegetarian and the Buddha does not seem to have issued an overall prohibition on meat-eating.

Utilitarian Creation

The church has endorsed the idea that animals value in the created order according to their benefits for us humans. Creation has been viewed primarily as a utilitarian object, as something to be valued according to its use by human beings. This devaluation of animal life has led to the extinction of whole species and to unnecessary cruelty to animals.

Buddhism
Animals have always been regarded in Buddhist thought as sentient beings, different in their intellectual ability than humans but no less capable of feeling suffering. The Buddha expounded that sentient beings currently living in the animal realm have been our mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, children, friends in past rebirths. We may not share this belief, but is levels all life to Earth's Creatures, and gives us humans a commonality, a communion of shared suffering and shared life.

Herding cultures
The Judaic and Christian religions are based on a history of herding animals and their numbers being a status symbol of power and wealth. Animals are "owned", considered resources and as property, not sentient creatures with intrinsic value and rights. Animals are thus not encompassed in the circle of Christian compassion and mercy. The duty of humans to care for Creation, and take dominion, has virtually meant ignoring the great responsibilities that come with this privilege.

Secularism
In a secular, purely scientific system, all species' worth is measured just by their success in adapting to and surviving in whatever environment they find themselves. This is the ultimate in self-centered, selfish system. A Creator that has his hands on the planet's great design, and ecosystems that support even the smallest sparrow, is surely especially proud of the birth of the more intelligent and magnificent of species - such as whales and elephants?

Maybe it is time some church leaders came out of their cultural enclaves and started to preach about humility, the one-ness of Creation and have a voice for all God's creatures?

The birth of a baby elephant should be celebrated as a new individual of great cultural and social value. However, elephants should not be kept confined in zoos for human entertainment. The people should be in the cages to view wildlife in their natural surrounding, or on viewing platforms.

'Kangaroo scrotum pouch from: http://www.australiagift.com/scrotum_shop/scrotum.htm

Captain Paul Watson, the Founder and President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Co-Founder of the Greenpeace Foundation, said recently.
“Thanks to the European Parliament, the Canadian harp seal hunt, the largest slaughter of a marine mammal species on the planet, has been brought to its knees and the market for seal pelts virtually abolished.”

“The merciless and cruel slaughter of the kangaroos in Australia”

"We must now focus our attention and our efforts to have economic pressure brought to bear on the largest slaughter of mammals on the planet – the merciless and cruel slaughter of the kangaroos in Australia.

"These wonderful animals that have inhabited Australia for tens of thousands of years before the arrival of their ruthless killers, are sentient social creatures that have a right to survive unmolested by the cruelty of humankind.

"Thirty years ago, Australia was a whaling nation and the blood of the whales stained the sand and the water of Australian beaches. Three decades later, Australia is one of the most powerful voices in the world condemning whaling. [But] what other nation slaughters its national symbol with such ruthlessness and indifference?"

"Is the kangaroo on the Australian coat of arms a symbol of cruelty or a symbol of respect? Australians must decide."

"Will Australia continue to allow Japanese whalers to scoff hypocritically at Australia’s opposition to whaling while condoning the mass slaughter of kangaroos?

"And will Australia be subjected to the humiliation of having other nations condemn the slaughter and embargo the products?"

Source: Statement from Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. May 12, 2009