[Greens-Media] Growing tide of reports of beach erosion since channel deepening (Vic S Pennicuik)

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

Thursday 6 May 2010

Growing tide of reports of beach erosion since channel deepening

"Recent media reports* of serious beach erosion at Portsea add to the 
rising tide of reports of unprecedented high tides and inundation of 
beaches, land and roads at the southern part of Port Phillip Bay since the 
Entrance to the bay was deepened by five metres," said Greens MP, Sue 
Pennicuik today. 

"There have been growing reports of excessively high tides around the 
south of Port Phillip Bay over the last 12 months," she said. "I have 
raised these issues in parliament and on 15 April I requested the Minister 
for the Environment to commit to additional quarterly reporting and public 
disclosure of tidal data for at least the next two years to guarantee that 
comprehensive, accurate and reliable data can be collected and analysed," 
she said. 

"In addition to the reports of excessive tides, there have also been 
reports of a marked increase in swell (surge from Bass Strait) since the 
Entrance has been deepened," she said. "Boat operators have reported 12 
metre dive boats being lifted by the swell (even on otherwise calm days) 
and dumped on the bollards of the low landing. Aside from the damage to 
boats, this is presenting a serious public safety issue." 

"It is noteworthy that the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) in its 
environmental effects study (EES) or supplementary environmental effects 
study (SEES) never even considered whether enlarging the Entrance would 
contribute to increased swells entering the Bay. The Office of the 
Environment Monitor appears to be discounting this too.

"Aside from the dramatic and ongoing loss of Portsea beach that has been 
seen since dredging, in the last few days there has been a massive 
collapse of the pier head, requiring immediate works to remediate. Two 
massive holes appeared overnight last Friday (30/4) at the pier head.

"I am extremely worried about the serious beach erosion that is being seen 
at many places around the south of Port Phillip Bay," said Ms Pennicuik. 
"It is one of the most serious adverse affects that the government was 
clearly warned about and chose to ridicule," she said. "Unfortunately, the 
five metres of sea bed and rock can't be put back and Port Phillip Bay may 
be permanently damaged as a result of the channel deepening that we didn't 
need, as super-sized ships are not coming to Melbourne."
 
 For further comment:  Sue Pennicuik – 0409 055 875

*in C9 news (4/5) and ABC Radio AM program (5/5)


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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