Blue wedges

[John Gamblin <>]

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SAVE THE BAY- BLUE WEDGES COALITION

CHANNEL DEEPENING PUBLIC MEETING

TUESDAY 16TH MARCH 7.30 PM LOWER MELBOURNE TOWN HALL - SWANSTON ST MELBOURNE

ROD QUANTOCK MC
KEY NOTE SPEAKER:

DR. GRAHAM HARRIS, CSIRO, AUTHOR OF THE CSIRO 1992-96
PORT  PHILLIP BAY ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY - CSIRO RESEARCH FELLOW, PAST CHIEF OF CSIRO
LAND AND WATER, DIRECTOR OF CSIRO OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS, & CHAIR OF CSIRO FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS KEY ENVIRONMENTALISTS & COMMUNITY
LEADERS:

INCLUDING GREENS MEMBER MICHELE FINEY- YARRAVILLE TRAFFIC  CAMPAIGNER & CO-AUTHOR OF THE GREENS CHANNEL DEEPENING POLICY,
GEOFFREY GOODE - PRESIDENT OF PORT PHILLIP CONSERVATION COUNCIL INC.,

DR. BRIAN CUMING - WESTERNPORT & PENINSULA PROTECTION COUNCIL INC.,

TIM ALLEN - NATIONAL C0-ORDINATOR MARINE & COASTAL COMMUNITY NETWORK,

TOPSY PETCHEY -
KINGSTON CITY COUNCILLOR AND CHAIR OF ASSOCIATION OF BAYSIDE MUNIPALITIES,
DAVID BRYANT - DIVER & UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER.

The Blue Wedges coalition is concerned for the Blue Wedges - Port
Phillip and Western Port Bays, and the land - sea interfaces. The most serious current threat to our waterways is State government's proposal to deepen shipping channels in Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra river merely so that supersized container ships can enter the Port of Melbourne.

Dwindling biodiversity must be protected from potential threats such as
this proposal; removing 30-60 million cubic metres of spoil from the bay
and riverbed and rock pinnacles at The Heads. This massive dredging
project will cause turbidity levels never experienced before in the Bay.... How will this affect the delicate ecosystem, from the sea floor to dolphins and seals?

Government admits that the port will exceed i ts land-based capacity by
2030 - only 26 years! Blue Wedges coalition says there is a more enduring, socially and environmentally responsible solution to handling increased container traffic than government's out - moded proposal to just dig deeper. The solution lies in a broad-based investigation of goods handling nationwide including greater use of transcontinental rail.

American consulting firm 'Parsons Brinkerhoff' is currently conducting
an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) into the channel deepening
proposal.

The final EES report is due for release and public comment in May 2004.

Attend our Public Forum on Tuesday 16th March 7.30 PM Lower Melbourne Town Hall - Hear the experts and discuss our alternative to government's short term, state based solution to a national issue - then comment on the EES!

For meeting information contact: Rod 9589 5431 Jenny 59871583
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BLUE WEDGES COALITION SUPPORTERS AT 1st MARCH 2004:

Sandringham Bicycle Users Group. Rod Bryant

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition Inc. Greg Alabaster

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc. Mary Rimington OAM

Frankston Beach Association Inc. Kathleen Hassell

Brighton Foreshore Association Inc. Prof Weston Bate OAM

Friends of the Brighton Dunes at the Dr Jim Willis Reserve. Jenny
Talbot

Western Region Environment Centre - Werribee. Harry van Moorst

Kananook Creek Association Inc. Olwen Bawden

Westernport & Peninsula Protection Council Inc. Brian Cuming

Friends of Rosebud Beach and Foreshore Inc. Eunice Cain

Carrum Residents Action Group. Alan Clark

Friends of Chinaman's Creek Inc. - West Rosebu d. Norman McKinlay

Polperro Dolphin Swims - Sorrento. Judith Muir

Protectors of Public Lands (PPL) - Victoria. Julianne Bell

Clean Water Cycle. Kylie McFarlane

Rowan Woodlands - Dingley Village. Brian Pullen

Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc. Adrian Cerbasi

Yarraville Residents Traffic Group. John Westbury

Southern Peninsula Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association Inc. Gidja
Walker

McCrae Homestead Coastal Group Inc. Jenny Warfe

Contact : Jenny Warfe ph. 59871583 to add your support.

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