Dredging compo block fear

Andrew Mathieson
WATERTIGHT legislation on controversial bay dredging could prevent Bellarine Peninsula businesses from taking legal action, according to a lobby group acting on behalf of the diving industry.
Planning Minister Justin Madden has given his approval for Port of Melbourne Corporation’s proposed channel deepening project, set to start in January.
The corporation wants to dredge shipping channels to accommodate larger new generation container ships.
Divers fear the dredging project will exclude their industry from 70 per cent of the bay’s diving sites for up to 18 months.
Dive Victoria managing director Jason Salter expected his company to lose “several millions of dollars” invested in boats and a diving centre at Queenscliff.
“We’re anticipating that this is likely to put us out of business,” he said.
Mr Salter said Queenscliff Dive Centre would spearhead about 30 operators on both sides of the bay seeking compensation from Port of Melbourne. He expected more operators to join the fight.
“What we expect is after this (dredging) happens and the impact is felt, other businesses are all going to suffer a lot because of Port of Melbourne’s actions,” he said.
Port of Melbourne has set up a diver liaison committee in an attempt to minimise the impact on the industry.
But Mr Salter, vice-president of Dive Industry of Victoria Association, said the committee was “really just lip service”.
The port authority was offering around $1.5 million for a marketing fund rather than paying compensation, he said.
Victorian Artificial Reef Society’s Alan Beckhurst said he had been told the Government was already working on protecting itself against legal action arising from the dredging project.
“They will be looking at some compensation but my understanding is the new legislation precludes (affected businesses) from getting anything, at least officially,” he said.
The society has pushed for the transfer of HMAS Canberra from a Perth dock for scuttling to create a new dive site off the peninsula after months of disputes between federal and state governments on funding the project. But Mr Beckhurst said scuttling the former warship would now be delayed until mid to late 2008 while hazardous materials were removed from the vessel.
Port of Melbourne said it would not comment on issues that could be subject to litigation.