Sink the dredge with economics
The Committee will be reporting to the Legislative Council by 30th June. Let's hope the PoMC's economic case gets the kicking it deserves, then Boskalis and their Queen should be on their way back to the
The committee’s Terms of Reference are to examine:
- The business case for the project as presented by the PoMC and the Victorian government
- The legal and financial arrangements between the PoMC and Boskalis Australia Ltd and/or its parent company, Royal Boskalis Westminster NV.
and is inviting written submission from any interested individuals or organisations.
This opportunity has come about thanks to Greens MLC
Please make a submission by 28th April if you are able. For those without an economic or accounting bent, considerable economic analysis is available on our website, especially in the Economics chapter of our submission to the SEES. See SEES tab at www.bluewedges.org, or the brief and informative economic analysis undertaken by Economists@Large on behalf of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) of interest at: http://www.acfonline.org.au/uploads/res/Port_Phillip_Bay_dredging_economic_critique_14-2-08.pdf
Whilst you’re there, have a look at the ACF’s critique of the PoMC’s Environment Management Plan at: http://www.acfonline.org.au/uploads/res/HowgoodistheChannelDeepeningProjectEMP_FINAL.01.pdf
Note sections coloured red are rated as inadequate or non existent, Yellow is Limited, and Green is best practice. The ACF rates the vast majority of the PoMC’s EMP in the RED - inadequate or non-existent.
Now, cast your minds back to the rhetoric of the PoMC that the project is being guided by a World’s Best Practice EMP etc. etc……. If that EMP fails to protect the Bay, (and given ACF's assessment, it's odds on that it will) the community is up for even more costs to rehabilitate the Bay and more losses to businesses - pushing the already dubious economic case even further into the red.
Just to really get you in the mood to dismantle PoMC’s business case for the Bay, have a look at some of Royal Boskalis’ recent history in our Media Release from 2007 at: http://www.bluewedges.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=76&cntnt01returnid=66
Do we really think the PoMC’s “Best Practice” EMP can protect the Bay from Boskalis?
Your support in writing even a very brief a submission will as always be greatly appreciated.
Send your submissions to:
The Secretary
Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration
Legislative Council
Parliament of
Spring St.
Ph 9651 8696
www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/SCFPA
This is also an opportunity to thank those MLCs who supported Ms. Pennicuik's motion and encourage them to continue to speak out about the crumbling economic case for channel deepening.
If you wish you can also given an oral presentation to the committee, by advising that in your written submission.
Previous page: Contact Blue Wedges
Next page: Media Releases