Port Botany Commission of Inquiry hoodwinked

[Paul Sheridan]

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Media Release							31 May,
2004	

Port Botany Commission of Inquiry hoodwinked

Planning Minister Craig Knowles has misrepresented the views of a
parliamentary inquiry and is seeking to prevent a Commission of Inquiry
from considering alternative ports development in the Hunter and
Illawarra, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

"The State Development Committee inquiry has recommended the Minister
consider all viable alternatives to the expansion of the Port Botany
terminal facilities, which includes options at Port Kembla and
Newcastle, not just the alternatives at Port Botany," Mr Cohen, a
committee member, said.

Minister Knowles has written to the Commission of Inquiry into the
proposals by the Sydney Ports Corporation to construct and operate a new
container terminal, to change its terms of reference to include an
alternative proposal by P&O Ports Limited at Port Botany.

"The Minister is not only trying to prevent consideration of options
for future ports development outside of Port Botany but he is trying to
bypass proper development processes.

"If the Commission on Inquiry is to consider a proposal by P&O, surely
there would have to be a new environment impact assessment process
beforehand?"

The NSW Government's rush to further develop Port Botany at the expense
of local residents was exposed by a parliamentary inquiry report last
Friday, which found there are significant environmental and social
impacts that should be reconsidered.

"Sydney Ports Corporation current plan to expand Port Botany operations
would have terrible noise impacts on local residents, on internationally
recognised wetlands and the proposal to dredge part of Botany Bay could
accelerate the release of a toxic chemical plume that is spreading from
the nearby Orica plant." 

The findings are part of an interim report of the State Development
Committee, which is dominated by Labor MPs - who represent three of the
six members of the committee with a Labor chair having the casting vote.


"There are alternatives to the Port Botany proposals that have much
less environmental impact and the government should explain why it has
not at least considered these options, including focusing on Port Kembla
and Newcastle as alternative sites for ports expansion."


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656



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