[Greens-Media] Fw: Port Hires Dredge Before the Outcome of Channel Deepening Inquiry

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

MEDIA RELEASE – Wednesday 11 July 2007

PORT HIRES DREDGE BEFORE THE OUTCOME OF CHANNEL DEEPENING INQUIRY

"Moves by Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) to book dredgers and site
offices while the inquiry into whether the controversial multi million
dollar proposal is still underway are pre-emptive, provocative and totally
inappropriate," says Greens MLC, Sue Pennicuik.

"Unfortunately the PoMC has shown yet again that it intends to proceed with
its pet project and sees the inquiry as an inconvenient distraction.  The
PoMC needs to remember that Port Phillip Bay is more than just a highway
for ships.  It is an unique ecological system and a crucial asset for
Melbourne and Victoria that belongs to the Victorian people," Ms Pennicuik
said.

"Even as the inquiry continues, rock falls caused by the 'trial dredging'
nearly 2 years ago are damaging corals in the South of the Bay.  There is
still no indication of how much channel deepening will really cost or who
will pay.

"This latest provocative action by the PoMC is another blow to any
confidence the public has in this whole sorry undemocratic process.  The
State government should intervene and tell the Port to stop now," Ms
Pennicuik said.

The inquiry panel into the  Channel Deepening Project (CDP) was set up by
the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden to consider and advise on the CDP
supplementary environmental effects study (of over 1500 pages) after the
first EES was found to be fundamentally flawed, and to receive submissions
from expert witnesses and other parties with an interest in the project. In
establishing the guidelines for the inquiry the Minister took the unusual
step of not allowing the cross examination of expert witnesses (mostly
consultants to the PoMC). This has been condemned by several leading
planning lawyers as an abuse of process.

For more information:   Sue Pennicuik   0407 000 270





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