Port Phillip Channel Deepening Project
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WHAT YOU CAN DO There are some example MY WILL letters here. Send them to the Minister for Environment Peter Garrett |
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[edit] Project Overview
Sections of the shipping channel in Port Phillip Bay are too shallow to allow some larger container vessels to visit Melbourne. Currently, around 30 per cent of the container ships that leave Melbourne are unable to be loaded to full capacity.
The Port of Melbourne Corporation is proposing to deepen the existing shipping channels. IN December 2001 the Victorian Government gave its in-principle support for the Channel Deepening Project proposal.
[edit] Approvals Required
The project requires separate approval under both Victorian and Commonwealth legislation. Approval is required under Victorians Coastal management Act 1995 and the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
It also requires the consent of the people, as it is the people who are the supreme authority regarding how we want our country run.
[edit] Controversial Victorian Legislation
In 2004 the Government produced draft legislation titled “Channel Deepening (Facilitation) Act 2004”. To say that this legislation contained some controversial provisions would be an understatement, and you have to ask why such provisions are considered by the Government to be necessary
- Port Services Amendment Act 2007
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One can only wonder why it is considered necessary to attempt to breach the separation of powers between the Legislature (the Parliament) and the Judiciary (Judges and the Courts). This is a fundamental protection provided in our Constitution. It is to the Courts that we have redress if we believe that a decision is unlawful or contrary to the will of the people.
What type of politician and public servant would consider such a fundamental breach of rights?
Port Services Amendment Act 2007
The economy of the Mornington Peninsula is very dependant on tourism, and the proposed 12 kilometre exclusion zone around the dredgers will put a number of operators out of business.
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[edit] Community Submissions
There have been a number of submissions made to the Government on the necessity for channel deepening. These highlight alternative views on the benefits exposed by the Government and the risks to the environment.
[edit] Blue Wedge Coalition Economic Briefing Notes
The Blue Wedge Coalition published a paper titled “Port Phillip Bay Channel Deepening Economic Briefing Notes” written by Jo Samuel-King.
Since the State Government and the Port of Melbourne Corporation (POMC) announced an intention to investigate channel deepening in Port Phillip Bay there has been wide spread concern in local bay-side communities about both the environmental and economic impact of such a project. Over twenty thousand Victorian residents have signed a petition, opposing the project and that number continues to grow. Thousands of people have attended Bay wide demonstrations, opposing the project.
These briefing notes are a preliminary consideration by the Blue Wedges Coalition of economic issues that pertain to the project.
You can read the full paper and download a PDF version here…
[edit] Submission on the Victorian Ports Strategic Study
This document was submited by Dr Brian Cunningham on behalf of the Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council Inc.
The Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council started asking questions about the wisdom of having a port in Westernport Bay in 1970. We have continued to ask questions with increasing understanding and confidence as scientific knowledge of the bay has grown, and we believe we are asking the right questions.
You can read the full paper and download a PDF version here…
[edit] Channel Deepening Project – The Economic Case Analysed
You can read the full paper and download a PDF version here…
[edit] The Communities Issues
The Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) is asking Victorians to sanction a range of environmental, social and economic risks, so that just a few of the world’s supersized (14 metre draught) container vessels and oil tankers can enter the Bay fully loaded.
The Southern waters of Australia, including Port Phillip Bay has the highest diversity of marine species anywhere in the world. 90% of species occur NOWHERE else on earth! Many of those species have not even been fully studied – and yet, before we understand our beautiful local underwater world, we might lose it.
Read more on this subject here…