The TWU welcomes yesterday’s decision by the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to approve the dredging of the Port Philip Bay shipping channels. 

Branch Secretary, Bill Noonan said, “Victoria must maintain the economic advantage afforded by hosting the nation’s largest container port.”

As Melbourne is not a natural deep-water port, dredging is an essential element in maintaining our economic competitiveness. Many transport workers and their families depend on the port for direct employment and many more on the industries that in their turn are dependant on the port.

“The Port of Melbourne cannot afford to turn away large ships. If this happens, jobs will also be lost,” said Mr. Noonan.

Melbourne’s status as Australia’s leading centre for manufacturing and distribution is heavily dependant on the continued viability and competitiveness of the Port of Melbourne.

Victorians who treasure Port Philip Bay (and that includes many transport workers) need not choose between jobs and the Bay … we will still have both.

The environmental management concerns of anti-dredging groups are being addressed by the Federal Government imposing strict conditions on the project. The port has been dredged many times in the past without causing irreparable environmental damage. Given the much more advanced techniques and equipment in use today, there is no reason to fear the process.

The Union is also taking steps to ensure that the government monitors the movement of heavy vehicles in the Port area and that the provision of rest areas is adequate.