By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
STATE Labor’s Bay West port option would cause “massive” environmental damage to Bellarine Peninsula, federal MP Sarah Henderson has claimed.
The Member for Corangamite said work on the proposed container port would require blasting 100 million cubic metres of bedrock and sand from the Port Phillip Heads.
The damage would hit particularly hard at Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, St Leonards, Indented Head and Portarlington, she warned.
“The blasting of 100 million cubic metres of bedrock and sand from the heads, which would be required, would mean an increase in water flowing into Port Phillip Bay,” Ms Henderson said.
“Not only does Bay West risk causing large-scale erosion of many Bellarine Peninsula beaches, it also risks damaging business along the coast including in the aquaculture and tourism industries.
“These are the environmental and economic risks that Victorian Labor is trying to hide from the people of the Bellarine and the Geelong region.”
Labor shadow ports minister Natalie Hutchins blasted the claims.
“Ms Henderson’s figures are false. She’s either grossly misinformed or she’s simply fear mongering to the people of Geelong,” Ms Hutchins said.
“You’d think rather than opposing future jobs in Geelong Ms Henderson would welcome the prospect.
“The Napthine Government is hiding advice from its own department that shows there are several viable options for a second container port in Bay West, including options that would have very low environmental impact and that are assessed positively in terms of dredging and reclamation.
“A recent report released by Victoria University estimates that a Bay West option is likely to require only half the amount of dredging Ms Henderson is claiming, with no blasting of the Heads.
“A Hastings port option would also require significant dredging in the order of 24 million cubic metres.
“Both options are environmentally sensitive, which is why Labor believes in seeking independent advice including an environmental assessment and business case.
“A Labor Government will direct independent body, Infrastructure, to investigate the best location for a second container port, including options in the Bay West region.”
