Blue Wedges June 2011 update on the state of Port Phillip Bay after dredging
1. Portsea beach….or what used to be Portsea beach
As reported in previous newsletters, ever since dredging enlarged the entrance to the Bay, ocean swell has pounded in through The Heads and Portsea beach has been on the slide. It’s still happening.
The government appointed “independent” Office of Environmental Monitor has stated that they are satisfied that dredging is not the cause of Portsea beach disappearing. The OEM claims that there is insufficient data to support any link between dredging and Portsea beach disappearing. OK ……so surely then that means there is insufficient data to support their claim that the disappearing beach is NOT linked to dredging? See attached Photo Mid tide May 30th 2011. Photo J.
During a community update in October last year, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, DSE, who are responsible for the construction of the sandbag wall and dumping of sand on the shoreline (at an estimated taxpayer funded cost of over $2million), stated they were proud of their work and estimated the sandbag creation should last 20 years. Almost as soon as it was finished though it started to slump and break apart, and is now collapsing back into the sea. Oh dear.
2. Where are the Snapper in Port Phillip Bay?
Blue Wedges supporter and experienced fisherman, Bruce White, has done a wealth of research on snapper populations in PPBay -from spawn to adult – and he’s worried. His commentary on the long term prospects for snapper fishing in Port Phillip Bay is at the conclusion of this newsletter.
3. More Port expansion - again!
Just when you thought it was safe to put away your red gear and Save the Bay placards, the Baillieu government has introduced legislation to decouple the Port of Melbourne and Port of Hastings Corporations (who were only betrothed to one another in the dying days of the Brumby government). Now the two state owned Corporations will be torn asunder again so that Mr. Baillieu and his cohorts can waffle on about increased competition between the two ports being good for all Victorians.
Not only that, Ports Minister Denis Napthine has pledged to be much better at port development than his predecessors in the Brumby government, who were he says too slow at getting on with the job. Mr. Napthine says he will “fast track” the “development” of the Port of Hastings. Trade projections relied upon to support this expansion predict that by 2035, Hastings would handle twice the current container throughput of the Port of Melbourne. Even a cursory assessment of the environment around the Port of Melbourne precinct gives you a pretty good idea of what the Baillieu government thinks Hastings should look like in future.
Port Phillip Bay - News
Where are the Snapper in Port Phillip Bay? Blue Wedges supporter and experienced fisherman, Bruce White, has done a wealth of research on snapper populations in PPBay -from spawn to adult – and he's worried. His commentary on the long term prospects
Photographer Freddie Leong has captured the wonders of Port Phillip Bay's underwater life. Source: PORT Phillip Bay and Western Port are home to a vast array of colourful and unique creatures. Few Victorians have seen or appreciate the
Johnson works with pastel on paper and creates her work on site at various locations around Port Phillip Bay. Gray, however, works in oils and captures the colour and vibrancy found in the Australian landscape. His love of the bush came from an early
included development of the Port of Hastings, lack of and substandard marine infrastructure, congestion at boat ramps, lack of marine industry training programs and limited access to Western Port and Port Phillip Bay by marine manufacturers.
Port Melb Inc president George Tsingos suggested there were plenty of “near misses” on the busy arterial street. VicRoads acting regional director metropolitan north-west Robin Miles said the agency was working with Port Phillip Council to monitor Bay
Port Focus: World Oceans Day - Port Phillip Bay
I represent Port Melbourne on the Council of the City of Port Phillip. Port Focus is dedicated to Port Melbourne. I will let you know about Council matters that relate to Port Melbourne. Please add your comments or send me an email if you prefer. You might like to send a photo of something you love about Port.
One Sydney Harbour = 1/50th or 2% of a Port Phillip Bay. Tiny thing the Sydney Harbour.
Why is Sydney Harbour used so often? How many people really know how big it is. Why not use Port Phillip Bay? More tangible.
Nice one: Our Port Phillip Bay and Western Port rival the Great Barrier Reef. Check it out: 
Participate in Australia's largest single day bike ride & meet the challenge of riding around Port Phillip Bay,
Participate in Australia's largest single day bike ride & meet the challenge of riding around Port Phillip Bay, Port Phillip Bay - Bookshelf
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Port Phillip Bay Natural Events
To assist the community, the Office of the Environmental Monitor has published a history of seasonal biological events in Port Phillip Bay.