Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) has welcomed the decision by the Federal Court of Australia to dismiss an application filed by opponents of the Channel Deepning Project.
Speaking after the ruling, PoMC Chief Executive Officer Stephen Bradford said the outcome sends a clear message to Victorians that this important, rigorously tested project can continue.
“It has been approved by State and Federal Governments and has the support of business groups, farmers, unions, manufacturers and people around the state who have waited patiently for this legal process to conclude,” Bradford says.
“This outcome is testimony to the robust processes that were required and delivered in securing the relevant consents.”
“This project is about opening the ‘sea highway’ to Melbourne for the next three decades.”
“Port Phillip Bay is a valuable asset to the port, as it is to all Victorians.”
“That’s why we have undertaken to deliver this project by the end of 2009 in compliance with the most stringent environmental sfeguards imaginable for a project of this kind,” Bradford says.
“Friday’s decision by the Federal Court recognises the integrity of our environmental commitment.”
Stephen Bradford says the project will continue in accordance with the schedule as published on the dedicated project website, www.channelproject.com.
The Queen of the Netherlands will continue to dredge clays from the Port Melbourne channel in the north of the bay.
The Queen will move to the south next Friday to commence work in the Entrance to Port Phillip.
“This project is critical to Melbourne as Australia’s largest container port and as a lynchpin for economic wellbeing in Victoria,” Bradford adds.
“The port will remain competitive and this will safeguard Victorian jobs now and in the future.”
“It will also drive business confidence in Victoria and send a clear message to our global trading partners that we want to be ey player on the world stage.”