‘Breathtaking hypocrisy’: Backlash over Arthurs Seat quarry plan

A prominent Victorian philanthropic organisation is facing a strong backlash over its plans to expand a disused quarry adjacent to Arthurs Seat State Park on the Mornington Peninsula and remove about 38 hectares of native bushland.

More than 75 organisations and individuals have signed an open letter, published in Friday’s Age, calling on the Ross Trust to withdraw its plans to expand the quarry and destroy bushland that opponents say is home to koalas, wallabies, powerful owls, white-bellied sea eagles and boobook owls.

This Google Earth image shows the existing Hillside quarry (white), the disused quarry (red), which will be extended, and proposed new area of quarry (blue).

The signatories include environmental groups who have previously received funding from the Ross Trust – which makes philanthropic grants and holds $60 million in assets and investments – but have suspended their relationship over concerns about the quarry proposal.

They include the Australian Conservation Foundation, Environmental Justice Australia and the Places You Love Alliance. Another group, the Knox Environment Society, has returned a $40,000 grant in protest and donated $1000 to the community campaign opposing the new quarry.

Other signatories include former Greens leader Bob Brown, Australian Davos Connection founder Michael Roux, philanthropists Samantha and Charlie Baillieu, former CSL director Brian McNamee, Professor Will Steffen of the Climate Council, Environment Victoria, Friends of the Earth and Landcare.

A number of high-profile Mornington Peninsula tourism attractions have also signed, including the Peninsula Hot Springs, concerned about the visual effect of the quarry.

Residents protesting against the proposed quarry at Arthurs Seat: Michelle de la Coeur (short hair), Mark Fancett (red jumper), 15-year-old Alex Fancett, and Janet Stanley.Credit: Penny Stephens

The open letter advertisement was organised by the Peninsula Preservation Group (PPG), which is leading the Save Arthurs Seat campaign.

Dr Mark Fancett, the president of the group, said the open letter showed the breadth of concern about the Ross Trust funding its philanthropic operations through a new quarry.

“Given that the Trust’s mission is to enhance biodiversity, it is breathtaking hypocrisy for the Trust to seek to fund its activities by bulldozing remnant bush and destroying a critical wildlife corridor,” said Dr Fancett.

“The Ross Trust can be a philanthropic charity focused on conservation or it can be the developer of a new open cut mine: it can’t be both.”

Mark Fancett

“The Ross Trust can be a philanthropic charity focused on conservation or it can be the developer of a new open cut mine: it can’t be both.”

The Ross Trust was established in Victoria in 1970 through the will of Roy Ross, an investor and entrepreneur who amassed wealth through investments in mining and media.

Hillview Quarries is operated by the Ross Trust to generate income to distribute for charitable purposes. Since its inception, the trust has distributed $118.5 million in grants.

In a joint statement the Ross Trust and Hillview Quarries said they had been a part of the Peninsula community for more than 50 years and had a proud history of supporting many causes, including environmental projects and preservation of the natural environment.

Over its history, the Ross Trust has previously gifted some 170 hectares of land in Dromana to the community, incorporating it into the Arthurs Seat state park, they said.

“The Trust has also provided more than $139 million in grants supporting local communities, children at risk, and environmental and biodiversity projects throughout Victoria.”

The application is currently going through an Environmental Effects Statement process, with a decision by Planning Minister Richard Wynne expected next year.

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