Port Phillip Conservation Council Inc., a federation of 14 conservation organizations around Port Phillip Bay, requests that the proposal by the Victorian Channels Authority to deepen the Bay's shipping channels (Reference No. 2002/576) be classified under the EPBC Act (C'wth) as a "Controlled Action" necessitating the operation of the procedures required under that Act.

The case we present for that request includes the concerns we expressed in writing to the Victorian Minister for Ports, Hon. Candy Broad MLC, when a deputation from our organization met her to put our point of view to her, and her advisers, in August 2001. A copy of that case is attached, and also appears at http://www.vicnet.net.au/~phillip/ah_chann.htm

In addition to those concerns, at the national level, is the protection of a number of sites on the coast of Port Phillip registered by the Australian Heritage Commission, and the long-term proper planning of Australia's ports and expanding standard gauge rail network. We believe that beaches and coastline in Port Phillip could be seriously harmed by increases in high tide levels, and massive increases in turbidity of the waters of Port Phillip that could accompany the proposed channel deepening.

We are concerned that a parochial State level approach to such a large issue is in part driven by attitudes expressed by Victorian ministers and public servants that "Melbourne must continue to be Australia's largest container port". In the national perspective there is absolutely no reason why some other port should not be the largest if that is for the long term benefit of the nation, and its environment.
 

Geoffrey Goode
President
Port Phillip Conservation Council Inc.
A0020093K Victoria
Tel. 0429176725
26th February 2002