Commonwealth Mining Pty Ltd has lodged an application for a permit to explore for coal and coal seam gas (CSG, also know as coal bed methane, or CBM) for an area of Gippsland to the north east of Traralgon, covering the localities of Toongabbie and Cowwarr. It covers private land and road and road reserves.

We have until14 November to lodge an objection.

Today’s announcement that coal mining will be allowed to continue at Anglesea is possibly the worst in a long list of bad environmental decisions since the Baillieu government was elected, according to Friends of the Earth.

Premier Baillieu said he would 'fix the problems, and build the future',
but when it comes to our environment his government has created new
problems and is threatening out future!

So after 12 disappointing months we're marching backwards to demonstrate the direction the Premier is taking us.

November 13, Melbourne.

While the Victorian government moves to close off wind development on the Bellarine and Surf Coast, they are doing nothing to halt open cut coal mining.

What energy source would you prefer in your back yard?

We need to send a resounding message that the community does not want new coal or CSG operations in our state.

Please sign our petition to the Premier.

News and updates on the South Melbourne Commons project being developed in South Melbourne.

This includes news on working bees and other developments at the site.

Saturday 10th December is our launch celebration day - please visit!

In late August, the Baillieu government implemented new planning rules which  place large sections of Victoria off-limits to wind farm developments through the creation of No Go zones, and set in place a 2 kilometre ‘right of veto’, whereby a single household can block any turbines within 2 kilometres of their home.

It appears that this has already threatened up to $955 million in investment and up to 1,900 jobs.

In the past few months, Environment Victoria has done a great job of raising community awareness about the threat posed to rural Victoria from a massive wave of exploration for coal.

Hidden in the detail of this story is the fact that some exploration licenses that have been issued are for coal seam gas (CSG) exploration, as well as for conventional coal.

It is not clear what the intentions of the state government are with CSG.

A reminder of the bigger picture: renewables vs fossil fuels.

'Wind Energy, Myths and facts' is a short animated film which has been created in response to the common myths and confusions that threaten the future development of wind farms.

The Victorian Coalition has now been in power for ten months. Sadly, the news has been almost relentlessly negative on the question of environmental and climate change issues.

Check here for an assessment of their progress.