Please write a LETTER or send an email to Minister Thwaites

Please find below the sample letter or email we're encouraging everyone to write to Minister Thwaites. Could you circulate this, encouraging as many personally written (not identical) letters as possible to go to his office.

Some facts about the recent decision concerning Bunyip State Park

Option One. Very similar to option two, but it provided for designated unloading area for trail bikes away from residential areas and different tracks were to be used for four wheel driving.

Option Two. Noted that the local residents were entitled to protection from excessive noise associated with trail bikes After considerable community involvement and consultation, it was noted that trails to the ridgeline to the residential properties should be closed and other tracks in Bunyip should be opened that were previously closed to accommodate sensible recreational use. Both Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment supported this position. Almost all the community groups involved with the consultation also came to a goodwill consensus on this option.

Option Three. Closes off all tracks except for 12. The problems this option brings;

1. This will create a significant environmental issue with over use and damage

2. It will create over crowding and pressure to break the law

3 It will have a negative impact on out door recreation and in particular the healthy people healthy parks image

4.It is contrary to the memorandum of understanding between DSE and FWDV

Option 3 had very minority support from a few locals to take recreation out of the Bunyip. The park belongs to all Victorians who should not be penalised for the actions of a few. While local residents deserve consideration, their concerns should not solely determine park management. This creates a mentality of locals "owning" a community resource and amenity. This is bad policy and needs to be reversed.

A sample letter or email might go something like this below . using additional information above and your own words.

Keep your letter to one page and be firm but state your feelings at the community's conscientious efforts in consulting with the Bracks' government as being trampled on etc.

Date etc.

The Honourable, Mr John Thwaites

(Deputy Premier, Minister for Environment, Minister for Water and Minister for Victorian Communities)

Level 3, 1 Treasury Pl, East Melbourne 3002

Dear Minister

I write to you to express my concern/disappointment/ frustration/(use the thesaurus) at the decision you have made in selecting option 3 for the future use of the Bunyip Park.

The Recreational Strategy Options with the largest level of community support which addressed all issues was option 2. By selection option 3 you have etc (made a mockery of consultation processes with the Bracks' government, dismissed the concerns of a significant section of the community, more than 11,000 Victorians who belong to clubs etc, disrespected the efforts of representative community groups who have invested heavily in consultation at their own expense etc, only to be betrayed at the last moment.). This is an unjust outcome and bad policy etc. and panders to a minority. Consensus had been achieved, why was it ignored etc.

I urge you to reconsider your decision and instruct Parks Victoria to review their position to enable all access as described in Option 2. I intend to make this a personal election issue etc.

I am an active walker/horserider/four wheel driver/trail bike rider (vary this, we don't want just fwdriving portrayed here) and I feel that you have made a significant statement about me and my recreational interests leading up to this state election about how I will vote. I am deeply offended that you have ignored the work of my community group representatives and the hundreds of hours they have invested. This does not look good for future consultation efforts.

I await your reply/I'd like a reply/I look forward to your response etc.

Yours sincerely

Full name and address.

Want to send an email? usually the first namestopsecondname@parliament.vic.gov.au All of the following should be emailed. john.thwaites@parliament.vic.gov.au steve.bracks@parliament.vic.gov.au and john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au and; peter.batchelor johan.scheffer brendan.jenkins geoffrey.howard ian.maxfield joe.helper

Fairdinkum comment. The ALP has been carrying out this bulk submission trick for at least twenty years. I make submissions on behalf of the members of the 4WD clubs that I belong to but I always make my own personal submission as well. Fair dinkum!