SaveOurZoos - Recently Updated Pages

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CampaignManager — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:55:29 CDT

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Letter writing

CampaignManager — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:50:42 CDT

Some tips

One letter can be overlooked. Send a FLEET of letters and you have the target's attention. Especially if you send a FLEET of letters about the same or similar themes.

Consider publishing your letter on the web. Information can be found here.

Make your letters

Short. 100 words or less. Checking out the 'Letter of the Day' will give you a good guide for how many words you should be aiming for.
Focussed. Address 2 points, maximum of 3 points in your letter. Try to structure it so that you make your point, say why your'e making your point, and reiterate what your point is.

An example of a letter to the editor can be found here.

Dealing with the Press.

If you make yourself visible in this way to newspapers, expect a call from your freindly neighbourhood journo.

this is great, more exposure of the issues.

2 very important things to remember though

ALWAYS make sure your notes are by the phone!! If you have TWO phones, have TWO sets of notes!. Very useful in overcoming nerves, stagefright, tonguetieditis and other uncomfortable things.

ALWAYS start your conversation with a Journo by saying

"This is off the record"

This compels the Journo to specifically ask " Can I quote you" leaving you more prepared for how you express yourself and helping you make sure that your position is most effectively represented.

ALWAYS cc emailed letters to your friendly, neighbourhood politician

Email addresses can be found here.

Letters to MPs can be ( a bit) longer with an emphasis on their accountability in addressing your concerns.

An example can be found here.

Letter Example 1(editor)

CampaignManager — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:49:35 CDT

Dear Editor,

I write to express my disgust at the proposed agreement between the State Government of Victoria and Village Roadshow that the Werribee Park Precinct and surrounding crown land be used for a Theme Park.

The Government's gleeful endorsementof this proposal, is at best, misguided, and at worst, another inflammatory example of their deliberate strip mining of public assets.

The suppression of comment by key stakeholders, such as Zoos Victoria and Parks Victoria points squarely toward the latter. The secrecy surrounding this unholy alliance between Government and a private interest means misinformation is rife and the formation of public opinion and therefore action is stunted.

Essentially, the proposal is that Village Roadshow secures a 99 year lease on Crown land. The Government "gifts" the Werribee Park Precinct infrastructure (Mansion, Rose Garden, Zoo buildings), flora and fauna (Including the Zoo livestock) + contributes $100 Million to Village Roadshow's expenses. Village Roadshow then gives the Victorian Government a percentage of income derived from the box office.

I urge your readers to petition their local representative for a halt to brought to proceedings (due to be agreed upon on May 30th 2008) until a meaningful evaluation of the proposal be conducted.

Yours sincerely,

Letter Example 2 (politician)

CampaignManager — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:49:05 CDT

Dear Sirs,

I write to express my dismay at the proposed Village Roadshow use of Werribee Open Range Zoo for the purpose of building an amusement park.

I have grave concerns for the welfare of the animals should this be approved. My concerns are as follow:

The proposed theme-park will compromise the design of the animal enclosures. Furthermore, the noise and unnatural movement will be to the detriment of the welfare of the captive animals.

Statements of support addressing Village Roadshow's track record in animal management is failing to acknowledge that their primary experience lies in the management of Aquaria. To my understanding the existing breeding programmes are limited to the function of restocking exhibits.Their investment in breeding programmes to my knowledge shows no application to the preservation of endangered species and certainly does not encompass the internationally recognised scope and complexity of the current programmes supported by the existing WORZ management.

Any claim that they intend to educate visitors about the plight of endangered species and the need for conservation of natural habitat is shown to be transparently disingenuous by the planned juxtaposition of the sideshow hardware and the animals themselves .

There has been international attention paid to this proposal beyond the Asia Pacific. While Australia is seen to be a leader for the humane treatment of animals in the SE Asia region, the commercialisation of the wild animals at Werribee has the potential to be seen as an example of Australia's inability to uphold principles that transcend short term gain, with possible erosion of its social capital within this region. It also has the potential to seriously undermine international programmes that are attempting to remove zoo animals from the Victorian era enclosures seen at many sites to more appropriate free range environments.

To accept this proposal without attending to it's impact on animal welfare within a macro context would be a disappointing demonstration of an isolationist, entropic model of government and lamentable in itself.

To accept this proposal without an independent evaluation of the potential impact on the welfare of the animals actually on site is, in my opinion, reckless, possibly illegal and certainly an indicator of the regard that my elected Government has for due process.

Should this proposal be accepted without proper evaluation and the theme park be built, I state unequivocally that I will not use this facility and I will ensure that all members of my professional, recreational, social and familial networks are fully informed of the ethical and environmental price that would have been paid for this travesty.

As a citizen of Victoria and a constituent, I look forward to receiving a reply that addresses my concerns.

Yours Faithfully,

You can run ...

CampaignManager — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:41:20 CDT

Parliament House Parliament House
East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002
Phone: (+61 3) 9651 8911
Fax: (+61 3) 9654 5284
Email: info@parliament.vic.gov.au

Brumby, The Honourable John Premier Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Ministerial office – Level 1, 1 Treasury Pl, Melbourne 3002
Tel: 9651 5000 /Fax: 9651 5054
Electorate office – 145A Wheatsheaf Rd, Glenroy 3046
Tel: 9300 3851/ Fax: 9300 3915
Email: john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au

Holding, The Honourable Tim Minister for Finance, WorkCover and the Transport Accident Commission, Minister for Water and Minister for Tourism and Major Events
Ministerial office – Level 26, 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 8684 8000 /Fax: 8684 8014
Electorate office – Suite 3, 387–389 Springvale Rd, Springvale 3171
Tel: 9547 6262 /Fax: 9547 2416
Email: timothy.holding@parliament.vic.gov.au

Jennings, Gavin Wayne Minister for Environment and Climate Change: Minister for Innovation and
Deputy Leader of the Government (Council)
Ministerial Office – LEVEL 22, 50 LONSDALE ST, MELBOURNE 3000
Tel: 9096-8830 /Fax:9096-8866
Electorate Office – 4 Hamilton Place, Mt Waverley, 3149
Tel: 9888-1910
Fax:9807-4924 Email: gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au

Pallas, Tim Minister for Roads and Ports
Ministerial office – Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 9655 6210/Fax: 9655 6651
Electorate Office- 36 Station Place, Werribee 3030
Tel: 9742 6888/Fax: 9742 6866
Email: tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au

Crutchfield, Mr Michael Parliamentary Secretary for Water and Environment
Electorate Office- 2/152 High St, Belmont 3216
Tel: 5244 2288/ Fax: 5244 2327
Email: michael.crutchfield@parliament.vic.gov.au

Kosky, The Honourable Lynne Minister for Public Transport and Minister for the Arts
Ministerial office – Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
Tel: 9655 3300/Fax: 9655 3313
Electorate office – Shop 3, Central Square Shopping Centre, Cnr Central Ave and Merton St, Altona Meadows 3028
(PO Box 1047, Altona Meadows 3028)
Tel: 9360 7500/Fax: 9360 7654
Email: lynne.kosky@parliament.vic.gov.au
Internet: http://www.lynnekosky.com

Baillieu, Mr Ted Leader of the Opposition: Office of the Leader of the Opposition Parliament House, East Melbourne 3002
Tel: 9651 8512/Fax: 9651 8426
Electorate Office – 325 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell 3124
Tel: 9882 4088/Fax: 9882 4051
Email: ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au

Links.

CampaignManager — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:31:58 CDT

A-C

Animal Welfare	http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/DIY_guide.php
Capitalism and it's alternatives	http://www.newformulation.org/4Dhondt2.htm

D-G

H-L

M-Q


Privatisation - Theft Privatisation - Assets	http://www.greenleft.org.au/1995/201/11264 http://business.smh.com.au/how-to-make-public-asset-sales-more-popular-20080504-2at9.html
Newspaper articles
The Age, Melbourne	http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/whose-home-on-the-range/2008/04/11/1207856824119.html http://www.theage.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2008/04/11/1207856824119.html
The Herald Sun, Melbourne
The Leader, Werribee
Werribee Banner	http://werribee.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/zoo-theme-park-plan-threatens-to-divide-town/422144.aspx http://werribee.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/not-so-wild-about-zoo-theme-park/765418.aspx
The Geelong Advertiser	http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/04/09/12882_news.html http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/04/07/12834_news.html
The Australian	http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23526278-5006785,00.html http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23534607-5006784,00.html
The west Australian	http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=473351 http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=28&ContentID=66451
The Wyndham Leader
Miscellaneous and Kewl	http://mediationchannel.com/category/mind-over-matter/
Other
World Leisure	http://www.worldleisurejobs.com/newsdetail1.cfm?codeID=62573&CFID=5371722&CFTOKEN=76295963 http://www.worldleisurejobs.com/newsdetail1.cfm?codeID=63863&CFID=5371722&CFTOKEN=76295963

R-Z

Television
ABC	http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/06/2209007.htm Interview - The 7:30 Report
Seven
Nine
Ten
Channel 31
SBS
Web Based
Silo Breaker	http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_843474178 http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_843301893

Political
Greens	http://www.vic.greens.org.au/news/message-to-village-hands-off-our-zoo http://www.vic.greens.org.au/search?SearchableText=werribee

Local Wildlife

CampaignManager — Sun, 18 May 2008 23:00:30 CDT

Beyond meeting the existing benchmarks set by WORZ's current governance is the challenge to maintain a sustainable relationship with the surrounding ecosystem( riverine, wetlands, coastal) and it's occupying fauna.

The existance of market gardens on much of the proposed site poses it's own threat to the sustainability of the more vulnerable elements of this.

The introduction of an amusement park is going to amplify existing environmental stressors (noise, air pollution, the obliteration of wildlife corridors, litter and its attraction for pest fauna and fish).

In weighing up the pressure to perform to stockholders VS the quiet voice of reason, arguing on behalf of habitat preservation, there will be no contest between the drive to maximise the bottom line and the voices for conservation.

Animal Welfare

CampaignManager — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:48:02 CDT

The concern about animal welfare is how equipped and how motivated Village Roadshow are to manage the following aspects of care currently under the stewardship of Zoos Victoria:

The direct care of specific types of animals (African and Australian Mammals)

General husbandry
Emergency care
Enrichment, improvement, psychological wellbeing.

Management of complex conservation issues associated with the animals found at WORZ

Breeding programmes
Conservation education, community activities.
Co-operative ventures with international conservation and breeding programmes ( Government and non-government)

Management of the captive animals' ecosystem

specialist thematically integrated enclosures - designed and maintained to provide as close to an in-vivo experience and therefore the optimal quality of life for the animals within.

Quality Improvement

Local activities that continuously review and improveof the principles and practice of care.
The contribution to local and global bodies of knowledge through the research activities of WORZ staff.

What are the issues?

CampaignManager — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:19:36 CDT

In a nutshell the issues can be boiled down to

Process
- No community consultation for the use of this asset
- No evaluation (unbiased or otherwise) of the proposal

Content.
- The 'gifting' of a public asset, the Werribee Park Precinct land + it's infrastructure, flora and fauna (Including the Zoo livestock) + $100 Million to Village Roadshow.

Furthermore is the despicable conduct of the State Government towards some of the key stakeholders.

We refer to

The secrecy around the details of the proposal, especially the conditions of the 99 year lease that is sought. This lease will render this Crown land inaccessible to the Victorian People
the increasing restrictions on bodies such as Parks Victoria, Zoos Victoria, Werribee Open Range Zoo, stopping them from protesting or even informing the public of the facts as they know it.

Fortunately, internet caching prevails. Here, too.

READ THIS

CampaignManager — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:20:27 CDT

HOW to get started on Save Our Zoos:

Click on the Orange button "Join this wiki" in the top right hand corner.

It will ask you to join the Host Server, Wetpaint.

Join Wetpaint

You will get a confirmation email from Wetpaint.

Use the link to get into SOZ. Use your Wetpaint signin to get in at other times.

Petitioning

CampaignManager — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:56:02 CDT

Friends Of The Zoo launched a petition on May 9th 2008.

So far there has been HUGE support for this.

The closing date for it's lodgment is 22/05/08.

The Rules for Petitions are:

It MUST NOT be signed on another's behalf. This invalidates it.

Name, Address (Omit Street Number), Signature are crucial.

The petition needs to be signed by residents of Victoria only.

*** A petition for concerned Interstate and Internation people can be found here***

While it won't count to the lodged Victorian petition, it adds to the profile of the campaign, sending a strong message to the State Governement about how many eyes are on their conduct.

Petitioners DO NOT need to be over 18!!

(Kids, get your schools involved! Get signatures from your friends! See who can collect the most pages! Woo Hoo!)

Hard Copies for people in your networks without internet access are to found here

There is an interesting article here about how parliaments engage with petitions.

Brilliant. Let's GO!

Media Links

CampaignManager — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:55:09 CDT

FOTZ's Christina Dennis on The 7.30 report, 010508

Some articles about privatisation

"It's Process, Jim, but not as we know it..."

CampaignManager — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:51:01 CDT

In this crazy disco of modern life, we know that it takes two to tango.

So, who are the Big Cats on the dancefloor, and what kind of moves are they a-busting?

State Government;

The State Government's conduct is reprehensible in it's failure to represent the interests of the Victorian people and follow a democratic process.

Here how:

They have offered enthusiastic and public support of this proposal without any visible consultation with the Victorian people about what they want to do with this land bequeathed to them by a former Government.

They have provided no evidence of their demand for either an environmental impact statement OR a feasibility study.

They have effected silence orders on any stakeholder opposing the proposal.

Their persistant attempts to sell State assets to private concerns shows a worrying lack of regard for future beneficiaries.

And then there's Village Roadshow.

How do we interpret their conduct?

Are they just behaving like a corporation?

Should we be criticising them for aggressive, self serving behaviour?

Should fiscal responsibility to their shareholders and the laws of the land in which they operate be the only things mitigating their self interest?

Should the same standards of ethical or socially responsible behaviour apply to For-Profit organisations as they do for - well, you or me? Or Government for that matter. Hmm. There's a thought...

Should we expect them to have a soul?

OK, that last one's gimme.

But the take home point is, due process appears to have gotten held up at the bank and never actually arrived.

Naughty MP! BAD MP!

CampaignManager — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:44:51 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Jobs for who?

CampaignManager — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:42:46 CDT

AWAThis is a template page

The assumption is that the conditions for existing staff will stay the same.
Take a look at this AWA for Warner- Village for Theme Park employees. Is it comparable with the existing AWA for Zoos Victoria

Employment for existing staff

Assumption that conditions will remain the same.
How does AWA for Warner Village compare with existing conditions for Zoo employees.
What is the track record of conditions for other theme park employees?

Employment

Seasonal / casual / “real” jobs vs the ‘looks great on paper’ selling points quoted so far
Comparison with other Warner/Village theme parks to see proportion of casual Vs permanent employment in work force.

Things you should know about...

CampaignManager — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:04:45 CDT

Before you get started with this site, here is some housekeeping.

SAFETY

Keep in mind that this is a publicly accessed site. Whilst debate, disagreement and otherwise lively discussion are encouraged, you should know that any offensive or abusive content is going to be deleted without notice.

Please observe all normal rules of Internet etiquette and PLEASE, use the KYSS principle at all times.

Keep Your Surfing Safe

No personal details (phone / address etc)

If you're going to log 'Hot' content (ie, information or opinion under a pseudonym if you are under a 'gag') please don't use your work computer to do your logging! Make up your own mind about what you are prepared to do in this campaign but know the risks before you act.

How to use this site

There are different levels of permission for editing pages.

The Campaign Manager profile is actually shared by several people, all of whom can change your access, so if you have something to add to a page you can't edit, drop the CM a line.

Registering for this site requires that you register with the Wetpaint site.

Site Content

This is a public site and there are many ears to the ground .You will find a page specifically for as-yet-unsubstantiated-rumour, whispers, 'source withheld'.
Where information is presented as factual, huge effort has gone into making sure that it is verified (and verifiable). However, there will always be some information that's missing or just plain wrong.
This is unintentional, and if you find any factual errors, either edit or tell it (to us so that we can). We don't take responsibility for harm that results from your inaction or action on content within.

This site was initiated by a concerned citizen of Victoria, Melbourne to make sure that other people that are concerned about this proposal have as much information as possible at hand to inform action. While the members that contribute and maintain material may or may not be part of these organisations, we don't know and we don't care to know.

It is in no way an official voice / conduit / opinion / subsidiary / whatnot of Friends Of The Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Zoos Victoria

They are in no way liable for the content of this site

To get information from their official channels please follow the links.

Environmental impact summary

CampaignManager — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:55:31 CDT

As in ...Where is??

SaveOurZoos

CampaignManager — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:56:13 CDT

This is a campaign site to save Werribee Open Range Zoo from corporate takeover by Village Roadshow.

They propose to build an African themed amusement park, taking over the Zoo, it's animals and the surrounding crown land.

They want full control of the zoo including stewardship of the animals.

They want a subsidy of $100 million toward their building and establishment costs and a 99 year lease for their exclusive use of the land. The land in question is land managed by the State Government on behalf of the Victorian people.

They want this to be given the green light by the end of MAY 2008.

We want evidence that this proposal has been fully evaluated and that proper consultation has been conducted.

In the absence of this, we say 'No'.

Location, Location, Location!

CampaignManager — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:30:09 CDT

Who has rights to this land, anyway?

Part of the deal sought by Village Roadshow is for a 99 year lease on this land - exclusive use of the land and presumably whatever it contains, including flora, fauna and infrastructure. It may include items of historical and cultural significance.

The area being pursued ( what is now known as Werribee Park) was originally inhabited by the Kurung Jang Balluk clan of the Wurundjeri People.

No representatives of that clan are known to be alive now, meaning that there are no First Australians with a direct and current association with this area.

The Werribee river (Wirribi Yaluk) has cultural significance to first Australians of this region. Descendants of the original peoples are re-establishing their cultural and spiritual links through engagement with park management initiatives. Werribee Zoo itself has had a close relationship with local clans and shows evidence of collaboration throughout.

This area for many years was used by the Chirnsides farming/ agriculture, was sold to the Victorian Government in the 1800's, sold to the Catholic Church after the 1st World War, who sold it back to the State Government in the 1970's.

The land has since been managed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, with the inclusion of the Zoological Gardens.

This history raises some questions about who has rights to this land :

Should Native Title be considered? Although the land had been used solely by settlers from the 1850's, can this realistically or fairly be an argument invalidating any consideration of cultural attachment?

There are a couple of vague mutterings that I have heard about the Catholic Church selling the land to the Government that make me wonder about their right to negotiate this Village Roadshow debacle - One, that the church sold it to the Victorian Government with the express intent that it be for the benefit of the Victorian people - and
Two - whether there is a covenant on the deed - if there's not would it make a difference?

Home of the Mole

CampaignManager — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:09:44 CDT

Part of the challenge of dissent is wading through the absolute rubbish put out by Spin, departments of Misinformation and ye Olde Royale Order of the Gagge.

That goodness for the Mole, a source of gossip, unsubstantiated rumours, possibly mixed in with the odd bit of information that is sensitive enough to withhold the source in order to protect the innocent. as well as the just plain daft...

And here's the thing. There's probably more than one of 'em writing this stuff.

Anyone can be The Mole.

Are You??

Parliament House	Parliament House East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002 Phone: (+61 3) 9651 8911 Fax: (+61 3) 9654 5284 Email: info@parliament.vic.gov.au
Brumby, The Honourable John Premier	Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Ministerial office – Level 1, 1 Treasury Pl, Melbourne 3002 Tel: 9651 5000 /Fax: 9651 5054 Electorate office – 145A Wheatsheaf Rd, Glenroy 3046 Tel: 9300 3851/ Fax: 9300 3915 Email: john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au
Holding, The Honourable Tim	Minister for Finance, WorkCover and the Transport Accident Commission, Minister for Water and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Ministerial office – Level 26, 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne 3000 Tel: 8684 8000 /Fax: 8684 8014 Electorate office – Suite 3, 387–389 Springvale Rd, Springvale 3171 Tel: 9547 6262 /Fax: 9547 2416 Email: timothy.holding@parliament.vic.gov.au

Jennings, Gavin Wayne	Minister for Environment and Climate Change: Minister for Innovation and Deputy Leader of the Government (Council) Ministerial Office – LEVEL 22, 50 LONSDALE ST, MELBOURNE 3000 Tel: 9096-8830 /Fax:9096-8866 Electorate Office – 4 Hamilton Place, Mt Waverley, 3149 Tel: 9888-1910 Fax:9807-4924 Email: gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au
Pallas, Tim	Minister for Roads and Ports Ministerial office – Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000 Tel: 9655 6210/Fax: 9655 6651 Electorate Office- 36 Station Place, Werribee 3030 Tel: 9742 6888/Fax: 9742 6866 Email: tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au
Crutchfield, Mr Michael	Parliamentary Secretary for Water and Environment Electorate Office- 2/152 High St, Belmont 3216 Tel: 5244 2288/ Fax: 5244 2327 Email: michael.crutchfield@parliament.vic.gov.au
Kosky, The Honourable Lynne	Minister for Public Transport and Minister for the Arts Ministerial office – Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000 Tel: 9655 3300/Fax: 9655 3313 Electorate office – Shop 3, Central Square Shopping Centre, Cnr Central Ave and Merton St, Altona Meadows 3028 (PO Box 1047, Altona Meadows 3028) Tel: 9360 7500/Fax: 9360 7654 Email: lynne.kosky@parliament.vic.gov.au Internet: http://www.lynnekosky.com
Baillieu, Mr Ted	Leader of the Opposition: Office of the Leader of the Opposition Parliament House, East Melbourne 3002 Tel: 9651 8512/Fax: 9651 8426 Electorate Office – 325 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell 3124 Tel: 9882 4088/Fax: 9882 4051 Email: ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au