VCE Environmental Science

This is an ideal case study for Unit 4. It incorporates knowledge about point and diffuse sources of pollution, bio-accumulation of heavy metals and other persistent pollutants, a variety of stake-holders with different perspectives and the state regulatory bodies and their policies. You can find out further information at the following sites:

The Age: Dredging the Bay This is an excellent interactive site that has seven short movies, including a diver’s perspective and images of the Phillip Island penguins. It also has three animations about how and why the bay will be deepened and the impact of dredging.

Office of the Environmental Monitor
Established in December 2007 by the Victorian Government, the Office of the Environmental Monitor provides an around-the-clock independent and transparent view on the environmental performance of the Channel Deepening Project. The web site is a one-stop-shop for information on the Office, results from the 20 plus monitoring programs operating in Port Phillip Bay and and general information relating to Channel Deepening Project. The Office is a major stakeholder in the Project and students could find the fact sheets and results on the website useful.

Port of Melbourne: Channel Deepening Project Including the Environmental Management Plan, latest news and weekly turbidity.

Blue Wedge Coalition The community group in oppostition to dredging the bay has fact sheets, frequently asked questions and a student section.

Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria has several pages with information about their role in the project – including a Supplementary Environmental Effects Statement.

The National Pollutants Inventory has a List of Substances that are considered to be important pollutants.