Bluewedges protecting Port Phillip Bay
No Channel Deepening!
It's our "Franklin River" and we must save it!
Thanks to all our supporters who showed their opposition on land and water to the arrival of the Queen of the Netherlands.
Blue Wedges will continue to oppose channel deepening in peaceful lawful non-violent protest. We are encouraged by the breadth of support from other groups and individuals who oppose this destructive plan for our Bay
PETITION TO OPPOSE PROPOSED TOXIC DUMP SITE IN PORT PHILLIP BAY
Word version, PDF version
It's not too late to act.
'Tell Mr. Garrett he is wrong!'
Register your discontent here via FOE International Cyber Action
Thousands of people from 50 countries around the world have so far clicked to send an email to Mr. Garrett.
This is one of the biggest responses FoE International has ever had - only the Iraq war has out rated Channel Deepening! Please be part of the action and keep the pressure on Mr. Garrett
Act NOW to help stop channel deepening
Point Nepean was placed on the National Heritage
list in June 2006.
The Bend Point Nepean
Photo: P. McConchieRight near here, at The Rip, the Port of Melbourne Corporation intends on April 4th to start dredging underwater rock walls containing unique sponges and corals. works at the entrance alone are scheduled to last at least 6 months.
The turbid plume from the crushing limestone walls at Rip Bank and Nepean Bank will spread through The Rip into commonwalth marine areas in Bass Strait and at least as far as Gunnamatta.
POMC booked the dredges prior to receiving any of the necessary approvals, and dredging equipment began arriving in mid January -just around the corner from this beautiful location.
POMC did not even pay the Federal Court or the Victorian public the courtesy of waiting for the Directions hearing on January 10th before announcing dredges were on the way, and now claims financial imposts incurred because of the Queen of the Netherlands sitting idle from its arrival on 29th January.
Following mediation ordered by the Federal Court, limited dredging commenced on 8th February. Our full case against Mr. Garrett in the Federal Court concluded on 3rd March and we await the determination.
Just like the Franklin Dam in 1983, the Federal government can intervene in contentious state projects which threaten the environment especially IF it wants to. However on December 20th Environment Minister Garrett approved the project subject to various conditions, including an Environment Management Plan - which he did not approve until 5th February. The EPBC Act has provision for Ministers to revoke decisions. So- keep the pressure on Mr. Garrett to reverse his decision.
Watch an ABC story on You Tube
Have you heard about the unresolved ongoing problems?
1. Toxic sediments – threatening our beaches, our fish stocks, our
health
2. Serious 2005 damage at The Heads – uncontrollable, continuing
rockfall and scour, WHICH EVEN POMC admits could last 30 years
We should all be concerned:
* that our beaches will be contaminated
* about predicted high levels of toxins in local fish, eels and mussels
* about added effects of sea level rise from channel deepening
combined with global warming induced rise, and extreme weather
events
* about flooding in the low-lying coastal areas
The future health and amenity of our Bay will be put at risk for the benefit of a few shipping companies, and “immeasurably minor” benefit to ordinary Victorians.
Ask your local Federal MP's where they stand on Channel Deepening. The Rudd Government was swept to power with Greens preferences. The Greens are opposed to Channel Deepening. If your MP is Labor ask him/her to honour the principled stand taken by the Greens and speak out against Channel Deepening.
Channel deepening is merely PoMC’s Business plan - their outdated dreams for the future - using Port Phillip Bay as their no cost resource. Unfortunately it means big costs to Bay inhabitants, Bay related industries and all lovers of the Bay.
It's time:
* To review and outdated parachial project which threatens our irreplacable marine environment
* To tell Mr. Garrett he has abandoned his principles!
We thank you
Blue Wedges wishes to thank those generous persons who have recently donated to our campaign. Please accept this acknowledgement as our personal thanks to you.
We can certainly assure you that your donations are being used with the whole-hearted commitment to SAVE THE BAY! If you want to Save the Bay - we need your help NOW as we plan our future camapign and consider further legal action.
Please help with a donation before it is too late!
Help us protect the bay for future generations from threats
like Channel Deepening.
Queen of the Netherlands casting a murky cloud over
life in the bay.
Photo The Age Craig Abraham (Sept 2005).
Whales in the Bay
Let’s herald the saving of the whales in Antarctic waters
Let us also be aware of the deathly ambush that awaits these same animals in Port Phillip Bay
I welcome all efforts by the Federal government to stop the inhumane and barbaric practice of whaling in Antarctic waters. Every year many of these magnificent animals come to rest and enjoy the unsullied waters of Port Phillip Bay before continuing to the renowned coastlines of southern Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland where whale tourism flourishes and millions of dollars flow into the coffers.
The Port of Melbourne Corporation’s channel deepening project is a most vile ambush.
Wake up Australia – the eco system cannot be a ‘pie’ to divide up for commerce alone. Our oceans and bays are a highway and time-travelled route that ensures the survival of the species.
Judy Muir Polperro Dolphin Swims Sorrento www.polperro.com.au
Scene around 30 metres before the
"trial" dredging in 2005.
In its Media Release accompanying the ‘benchmark report’ even the Port of Melbourne Corporation doesn't deny that during the trial, most of the rockfall damage occurred “in the shallow regions above 30 metres…”. That's also where most diving takes place.
We now know around 6,000 cubic metres fell - destroying beautiful scenery like this. Not the 20 or so cubic metres first claimed by PoMC.
Photo by Greg Blair
After the dredging at around 30 metres ,
a spider crab is looking for a new home.
Photo by Alan Beckhurst
At 37 metres a boulder weighing several tonnes now covers reef where species of corals, sponges, crustaceans and fish lived! 
Photo by Alan Beckhurst
Port Phillip Heads on-line Camera
(refreshed every few minutes).
Power point presentations: Save The Bay Myths About Channel Deepening Power point viewers can be download for free from:
Mac download
PC download
Photo composite: Ian's images
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News
10/05/08 - General
Is it worth risking the Bay to save 5 cents on our next pair of trainers? Academic Peter Turnbull ponders the issues.
04/05/08 - General
The banks of the Yarra saw an array of protestors, both human and marine, waiting to meet the the Cornelis Zanen on Friday, the day after May Day. This third dredge vessel will stir up and remove the toxic sediments. Passions were stirred likewise, and questions raised about what exactly is hidden and untested in these highly contaminated areas.
29/04/08 - General
A Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Public Administration is currently having a close look at the PoMC’s business case for channel deepening, and the PoMC’s contractual arrangements with Boskalis Australia and/or their parent company Royal Boskalis Westminster NV. Let's hope they see through PoMC's scrappy plans.
23/04/08 - General
The Australian Conservation Foundation claims sediment plumes from bay dredging in Victoria may be worse than predicted. See their satellite images.
22/04/08 - Media Release
High levels of cancer causing PCB’s to be dug up soon
22/04/08 - General
A different take on recent claims by the Champions of Channel Deepening that their widely discredited project was unfairly coming under media fire
16/04/08 - Coming Events
Saturday the 19th of April.
Yet another initiative from young supporters has been drawn to our attention recently. Year 9 students at Toorak College, Mt Eliza, are enthusiastically organising a concert THIS SATURDAY to raise awareness of global warming.
They would love your support.....
14/04/08 - General
The Legislative Council Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration Committee is gearing up to have a close look at Channel Deepening and is inviting submissions from the public.
08/04/08 - General
Children go to Parliament against Bay dredging
03/04/08 - General
The Queen of the Netherlands is heading to The Heads and so is concern for the Bay. Don't R.I.P. the RIP.
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Bendigo Bank
Account: Blue Wedges
BSB: 633-000
Account No: 125738237
Cheque
Blue Wedges Inc.
PO Box 162 Dromana 3936.
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