Channel deepening

Clean Ocean Port Phillip Bay survey results

86%            Against the channel deepening 12%            Would support the channel deepening if it has minimal environmental impact 2%              Other

Channel Deepening

The Clean Ocean Foundation's Channel Deepening Position Whilst the Clean Ocean Foundation supports the expansion of the Port of Melbourne, at this time it cannot support the current proposal due to inadequacies in its assessment of the environmental, economic and temporal impacts that relate to the works. Based on the release of the Environmental Effects Statement regarding the Channel Deepening Proposal, it is in the Clean Ocean Foundations opinion that:

" Channel dredging presents a significant risk to businesses on the Mornington Peninsula that rely on beach tourism. Dredging will compromise the water quality in surrounding areas. Those businesses that rely directly on water quality e.g. diving, dolphin & seal charters and recreational & commercial fishing, are particularly at risk. Businesses that rely on the aesthetics of their beach to bring customers are also under long-term economic threat. " Channel dredging will increase the turbidity of waters around neighbouring beaches. This will have a detrimental effect on marine life by limiting light penetration into the water column and deoxygenating the water. This will reduce underwater plant life which provides an essential food source and nursery habitat for the State's fishery. Victoria's commercial and recreational fishery is expected to be severely compromised over the long-term. " Channel dredging will re-suspend industrial contaminants and heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and lead that have accumulated in sediments. This will allow these toxic materials to re-enter the food chain which will present a health risk to people that use the Bays resources. " Channel dredging will mobilise nutrients and reduce denitrification. This will result in nutrient loading, and potential algal blooms on some Port Phillip Bay beaches.

Whilst the Clean Ocean Foundation is strongly supportive of economic development in Victoria, it believes that the effects on Mornington Peninsula's economy and environment will be far more adverse than that estimated in the Environmental Effects Statement. The Clean Ocean Foundation therefore, does not support the current Channel Deepening proposal as its stands. More Information:           Bluewedges           Port Phillip Conservation Council           Port of Melbourne Corporation           Association of Bayside Municipalities           Victorian Government           Greens           Liberal

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