WILLIAMSTOWN played host to the passionate movers and shakers of the channel-deepening debate last Wednesday morning during an ABC radio forum at Williamstown Sailing Club.
Up to 100 people gathered inside the club’s meeting room and observed calm conditions on Port Phillip Bay, contrary to the rigorous discussion taking place inside.
Jon Faine, host of 774 ABC Melbourne’s morning show, opened the debate with staunch opponents Jenny Warfe, president of the community based Blue Wedges Coalition, and Stephen Bradford, CEO of the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC).
PoMC plans to deepen parts of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River to expand the Port of Melbourne – Australia’s largest port.
Mr Bradford said deepening is necessary because 25 per cent of container ships arriving at the port are unable to be loaded to capacity because the bay is too shallow.
He argued the recent trial dredge had indicated there would be no long-term significant adverse affects on the environment, much to the jeering and condemnation from the greenies in the audience.
Ms Warfe, who went head-to-head with Mr Bradford, spoke of the adverse environmental and economical affects of the project.
She said the recent Supplementary Environmental Effects Statement, which was commissioned by the PoMC, showed that the cost of the project had been under-estimated as had the environmental damage.
The debate raged from 8.30am to 11am, and included representatives from Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victorian Farmer’s Federation, Australian Trucking Association, Shipping Australia, Greater Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Maribyrnong Truck Action Group, Port Phillip Ecocentre, and environment professors.
Elio Comello, of the not-for-profit Altona group Habitat Trust, said he was disappointed more attention was not given to the impact on roads of transporting more cargo.
Since 2001, the State Government has had a target to move 30 per cent of port freight by rail by 2010.
“The effect of deepening the bay without first establishing metropolitan port shuttle rail services between the port and Melbourne’s major industrial precincts is akin to feeding a four lane expressway into a single lane carriageway,” Mr Comello said.
“The channel deepening project should not proceed until short-haul rail is able to be developed as a viable alternative to road transport.
“Indeed, strategically they should be part of the same plan.”
Williamstown councillor Angela Altair attended the debate but said she could not speak on behalf of council because council has not decided on a stance on the latest EES.
She said she personally sided with Monash University marine biologist, Dr Simon Roberts who went head-to-head with PoMC environment general manager Dr Jeff Bazelmans.
Ms Altair said she agreed with Dr Roberts there was a large risk in disturbing 100 years of toxic sludge living at the bottom of the bay.
Among the sludge lies mercury, arsenic and lead.
“We should argue against re-dumping the contaminated spoil in the sea for the reasons he gave, and lobby for an on land dump site if deepening goes ahead,” she said.
