1. 4.2.1
Conflicts of interest between people involved in the uses of outdoor environments

2. From the study guide
Key Knowledge: Students should be able to examine at least TWO conflicts of interest between people involved in different uses of a particular outdoor environment.
Key Skills: be able to describe what happened, who was involved and what the outcome was.

3. our focus
Given our prior knowledge, through units 1-3, we will be focusing on the following two conflicts:
The Franklin River
Wonthaggi Desalination Plant

4. Conflict one
The Franklin River

5. South-West Tasmania
Location

6. Who was involved? VS Hydroelectricity Commission
The Wilderness Society

7. HEC and Tasmanian Government
The Hydroelectricity Commission along with the Tasmanian government and the Organisation for Tasmanian Development, planned to dam the Franklin River in order to establish a hydroelectricity scheme.
Position: Build a dam on the Franklin River for hydroelectric power

9. Justification
Franklin is a resource and should be dammed to create electricity
This would provide industry with cheap electricity
Local and statewide jobs would be boosted
Conservation significance has been exaggerated
The views of the HEC represent those of the majority of Tasmanian’s

10. The wilderness society
Formally known as the Tasmanian Wilderness Society, this environmental group took action against the HEC and Tasmanian Government’s proposed hydroelectricity scheme.
The group became known as The Wilderness Society in on the back of the failed Lake Pedder campaign. Protecting wilderness was not just a Tasmanian priority, but an Australia-wide priority.
Position: Stop damn construction, preserve environment and do not restrict river flow.

12. justification The environment has a high conservation value
There is no concern about the destructive effect on the environment
South-West Tasmania is a natural wonder
It is an area of national and international significance
The area should be a National Park for all to use

13. Just FYI

14. Outcome
In 1983 Bob Hawke was elected as Prime Minister after voicing his support for the Franklin.
Bob immediately announced that the proposed dam would not go ahead.
After a High Court battle against the Tasmanian Government, Bob and his Federal Government were able to stop the damming.

15. Wonthaggi Desalination plant
conflict 2
Wonthaggi Desalination plant

16. Desalination is the process of removing the salt and mineral content from sea water, in order to make the water drinkable.
What is desalination?

17. Location
Wonthaggi, Victoria

18. Who’s involved? VS
Victorian Government
Watershed Victoria

19. Victorian Government
The Victorian government employed ‘Aquasure' to build and operate the Wonthaggi desalination plant in 2007.
The desalination plant was a response to the recent drought and shortage in water supplies in and around Melbourne.
Position: Build a desalination plant near Powlett River mouth for the production of water to surrounding areas and to Melbourne.

21. justification
Melbourne faces water shortfalls in the future due to population growth, drought and climate change
Water saving/recycling techniques are not sufficient
Desalination plant is required to provide water security through diversity of water supply
Wonthaggi desalination plant provides a clean water source, safe waste disposal and low marine impact

22. Your Water Your Say
A committed group within the community believe that the desalination plant is energy intensive, contributing further to climate change and potentially drought.
Position: Stop construction, preserve environment and use alternative water management techniques.

24. justification
Possible negative effects on coastal environment such as loss of habitat and reduced biodiversity
Energy use for desalination plant is high
Desalination proposal conflicts with policies of conservation
Risk to cultural heritage (Bunurong)
Water saving/recycling techniques should be tried first

25. In 2012 the desalination plant was opened, Watershed Victoria (formerly Your Water Your Say had not been successful in attempting to overturn the governments decision.
Outcome

26. currently…
The plant cost around $4 Billion to build, costing Victorians approximately $600 Million a year in operating costs.
To this date, the desal plant is yet to produce drinking water for Melbourne, since opening in 2012.
Dams in Victoria have remained around 80%, nullifying the need for desal water.