[Greens-Media] Media Release: The focus on port deepening is fundamentally flawed say the Greens

[Greens Victoria Media]

Media Release: for immediate use
Tuesday August 22, 2005
Contact: Sue Pennicuik on (mob) 0407 000 270

The continued focus on deepening ports is fundamentally flawed say the 
Greens

The recent release of the Melbourne Port at L Consultation Draft and draft 
Port Development Plan* is fundamentally flawed, says Sue Pennicuik, the 
Greens Victoria spokesperson on channel deepening and candidate for the 
Southern Metropolitan Upper House Region.

“The basic problem with the ‘vision’ outlined is that it assumes that 
the deepening of the shipping channels in Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra 
River will go ahead," said Sue Pennicuik. "This is by no means certain 
on either environmental or economic grounds."

“The Port of Melbourne Corporation has its work cut out to demonstrate 
to the Victorian community that channel deepening will not irreparably 
damage the ecosystems of Port Phillip Bay," said Sue Pennicuik. "A 
recent report on last year’s ‘trial dredging’ operation, that caused 
significant damage to sea grass, sponge and kelp beds in the south of 
the Bay, has revealed that the damaged areas may never recover.”

What’s more, neither the Port of Melbourne Corporation nor the 
Government have ever articulated the economic case to justify channel 
deepening.

"No assessment of the impact on bayside businesses and no serious 
economic analysis of alternatives to channel deepening, such as 
upgrading interstate rail links to existing deep water ports, have ever 
been presented to the public", said Sue Pennicuik. "The Greens in 
Parliament after November will work to ensure all options are 
investigated and a genuine debate is held before any decision is made."

“Hastings is not an option for large scale activity because Westernport 
Bay is very tidal and extremely ecologically sensitive," said Sue 
Pennicuik. "Any oil spills or other wastes at the northern end of 
Westernport Bay would cause a lot of damage.”

"We need a vision that looks beyond the current model that is centred on 
expanding the Port of Melbourne and the obsession with channel deepening 
in Port Phillip Bay," said Sue Pennicuik. "We need a long-term, 
nationally integrated freight transport system, with upgrading and 
better use of existing ports and rail in Victoria, and better 
integration with interstate ports and railways."

"This would not only spare the Bay from unnecessary ecological damage, 
but may well be much more economically viable for Melbourne and our 
regional areas,” said Sue Pennicuik.

For more information and comment please contact:
Sue Pennicuik on (mob) 0407000270
or
Dave Lane on (mob) 0419 156 213
Background:
* The Melbourne Ports consultation draft document is at
http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/
96332c3f589c41d6ca2571c60082c392/$FILE/MelbournePortalStrategyConsultationDraft.pdf#search=%22Melbourne%20Ports%20Consultation%20Draft%22
- Released August 14, 2006

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