Prom Coast Guardians

02/06/2026

South Gippsland’s forests are part of who we are - and they’re home to species already under pressure, including the EPBC-listed Gang-gang Cockatoo.

The Hoddle Range Flora & Fauna Conservation Reserve provides important habitat for native wildlife. A new quarry right next to this landscape could mean more habitat loss and fragmentation in an area meant to protect biodiversity.

Australia has committed to stopping extinctions and protecting nature. If we’re serious about leaving healthy forests and wildlife for future generations in Gippsland, places like the Hoddle Range matter.

Let’s protect what makes our region special.

Sources: Australian Government Threatened Species Action Plan (2022-2032); PM statement on Australia joining the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature (2022).

DEECA Gippsland

31/05/2026

🌍Understanding Sensitive Land Use and Its Importance in Land Use Planning🌍

We appreciate our community members for asking more questions regarding the EPA's measurement methods on the map. The EPA’s Separation Distance Guideline (Publication 1949, August 2024) describes two measurement approaches for assessing the necessary buffer zones:

Method 1 (Urban Method) - measures to the property boundary of the receptor, applicable in townships or on lots under 0.4 hectares.

Method 2 (Rural Method) - measures to the dwelling envelope, suitable for most properties in rural areas like Fish Creek.

The map illustrates a 500 m radius around dwellings, showcasing the recommended separation distance between quarries and sensitive land uses. But what exactly qualifies as "sensitive land use"?

Sensitive land use refers to areas where the health and well-being of residents and the environment could be negatively impacted by industrial activities. This includes residential zones, schools, hospitals, childcare centers, and public parks, all of which are more vulnerable to disturbances like noise, air pollution, and traffic.

It's essential to recognize that the cumulative density of receptors in the area means that maintaining compliant separation distances is crucial for community safety. The overlapping zones indicate that the recommended buffer is breached, underlining the fact that the entire Work Authority area of the original quarry, AND the NEW Quarry, does not meet the necessary safety standards as per EPA guidelines.

What is missing from this map is that the EPA also considers critical environment zones (in this case the Hoddle Range Flora and Fauna Conservation Reserve) a “Sensitive Land Use”. Under current EPA guidelines the zone around this reserve could be considered anywhere between 500 meters, and 1500 meters, and thus the NEW quarry ceases to exist.

Not to mention that food growing businesses (in this case the vineyard and olive grove) are also considered to be Sensitive land uses.

For more detailed information on this topic, visit the EPA's resources here: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au

Thank you for your continued engagement in this critical issue!

DEECA Gippsland

26/05/2026

If Prom Coast Guardians hadn’t started this page, would you even know about this new quarry application?

When applying for an extractives work authority in Victoria, community consultation is meant to be more than a box-ticking exercise. ✅

Who should be consulted?

Not just immediate neighbours. (And in this case only a hand-full of immediate neighbours were even included in that.)

Resources Victoria says engagement should include people and groups likely to be affected, including:

~nearby residents & landholders
~towns along transport routes
~local businesses & tourism operators
~Traditional Owners/Indigenous communities
~environmental & community groups
~recreation users and visitors where relevant

What should good consultation look like?

✔️ Early — before plans are finalised
✔️ Ongoing — not a one-off session
✔️ Transparent and easy to understand
✔️ Two-way — where feedback can genuinely influence outcomes
✔️ Responsive — concerns documented and addressed

Community engagement should be meaningful, not just information handed down after decisions are already made.

PCG stands for due process. Due process hasn’t been followed! Join us!

DEECA Gippsland

Learn more from Resources Victoria:

https://resources.vic.gov.au/legislation-and-regulations/guidelines-and-codes-of-practice/community-engagement-guidelines-for-mining-and-mineral-exploration

24/05/2026

Did you know that the proposed new Fish Creek quarry would sit directly adjacent to the Hoddle Range Nature Conservation Reserve?

Studies from around the world show that there can be significant negative impact to wildlife populations when quarrying activities occur in close proximity. This also includes the use of heavy machinery and trucks that form part of quarry operations.

Noise and vibration can disturb survival habits of sensitive species and dust can settle on food sources making it unpalatable. Drainage, groundwater, or surface runoff can alter wetlands, creeks, and breeding habitat.
Furthermore, quarrying activity can also fragment movement corridors, making it harder for species to feed, breed, or disperse safely.

We know that the Hoddle Reserve and surrounding areas are home to dozens of threatened, endangered and migratory species. We owe it to them to preserve areas which have been designated for their protection.

Ask yourself, is this the right place for a new quarry?

18/05/2026

Great to see a few of the neighbours to the proposed new quarry at Fish Creek bringing important community concerns into the conversation via this weeks Sentinel Times article. A huge thank you to everyone speaking up and working to protect the future of our beautiful Prom Coast. 🌿👏



Read the article here:

Residents fear silica dust health risks as Fish Creek Quarries seeks approval for new shale pit on Meeniyan-Promontory Road just 25 metres from neighbouring homes

14/05/2026

SKAT Opposes Fish Creek Quarry Proposal!!

Have a read of Melbourne FOE article opposing the NEW Fish Creek Quarry.

Thank you for your support SKAT 🙏



https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/skat_opposes_fish_creek_quarry_proposal?fbclid=IwdGRjcARyXIFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEenWjDmtD6zJtpG2XAsZWfzvyGF4aIM0vzTf86-WmDB9TAx0b2RbZVlQlpZnc_aem_OujKogXCFReFZ_ve9t6g0A

Mobilise! Resist! Transform!

12/05/2026

The South Gippsland Shire Council’s Community Plan 2025 - 2029 paints a beautiful picture of our region—one focused on collaboration, sustainability, and nurturing the community we call home. It’s all about celebrating our rich cultural heritage, diverse populations, and the stunning natural environment that makes this place special.

But when you look at the New proposed Fish Creek quarry, this vision starts to feel a bit hollow.

Yes, the quarry is claiming that the rock they want to extract will support local farmers. But let’s be real - how does possibly destroying the environment where our olive farm and vineyard thrive align with the Council's core values?

With over 40 local residences nearby, the new quarry threatens the tranquil lifestyle that attracted us to this area in the first place. The dust and noise only disrupt our connections to each other and our beautiful land, contradicting the idea of a “Healthy, Connected and Engaged Community” that the Plan promotes.

Moreover, the quarry flies in the face of the Plan’s commitment to “Sustainability and Climate Change.” Extractive industries like this new quarry can lead to more environmental degradation, which hurts the very ecosystems our farmers ultimately rely on. The notion that we can market South Gippsland as a haven for tourists to enjoy premium agriculture while allowing a quarry to invade the landscape is just misguided.

We need to stand together and push back against this short-sighted proposal! The quarry's claims don’t hold water when we consider the long-term consequences for our community, our plan, and our precious environment.

Let’s ensure that the true needs of local residents and sustainable agriculture are prioritised.

Together, we can protect what truly makes South Gippsland a fantastic place to live, work, and visit - for all!

12/05/2026

Attention all Strezlecki Koala lovers! 🐨

Have you spotted a Strzelecki Koala in the wild? Your observations can make a huge difference!

If you see a koala, or spot an injured koala, or a koala killed by vehicles, please PLEASE report your sighting to the Strzelecki Koala Alliance Team (SKAT) via this email:

[email protected]

Anthony looks after the Strzelecki koala map below. Please include the location of the sighting (GPS if possible) and if you know the type of tree the animal is in, please state that as well.

Your contributions will aid in important research and conservation efforts to protect these iconic animals and their habitat.

Together, we can ensure a brighter future for the Strzelecki Koala.

Mapping the most important koala population remaining in Victoria and South Australia.

11/05/2026

👂 ON AIR TOMORROW — MELBOURNE’S 3CR BREAKFAST PROGRAM 👂

Tomorrow morning we're joining the 3CR Breakfast program (855AM / 3cr.org.au) to talk about two of the Prom Coasts' most loved residents — the Strzelecki Koala and the Gang-gang Cockatoo — and the proposed quarry (WA8569) that threatens the ridge-top habitat they depend on.

The Hoddle Range on the Wilsons Prom Coast isn't just rock and trees. It's home to a genetically distinct koala population and one of the south's stronghold areas for the Gang-gang, a species now listed as Endangered.

We'll be talking about:
🐨 Why the Strzelecki Koala matters — and what makes this population special ♥️

🦜 Gang-gangs on the Hoddle Range and what's at stake

⛰️ How the proposed quarry on Meeniyan Promontory Road fits into the picture

🌿 What community-led protection looks like from here

Set the alarm, put the kettle on ☕ — The breakfast show is 7:00 to 8:30am and we should be on around 7:45.

Huge thanks to 3CR and Friends of the Earth for giving these issues airtime. 💚