The Supplementary Environment Effects Statement (SEES) was a key component of the formal process of assessing the Channel Deepening Project before decisions are made on whether to proceed. The SEES is an unprecedented study of Port Phillip Bay and has enabled a more concise understanding of the bay’s marine ecology and how best to deliver a sustainable project.

A public exhibition of the SEES was held between 22 March and 7 May 2007, in which time the public was given the opportunity to formally comment on the SEES and its findings. Following this process, an Independent Planning Inquiry, appointed by the Victorian Minister for Planning, conducted a public hearing which comprehensively reviewed the SEES and public submissions.

The hearings concluded on the 31 July 2007, and the Inquiry provided its report with recommendations to the Minister for Planning on 1 October 2007, for assessment.

On the 31 October 2007, the Victorian Minister for Planning released his assessment of the Channel Deepening Project, based on the SEES Inquiry, where he concluded that the project could proceed on an “environmentally acceptable basis”.

For more information on the outcomes of the inquiry process, please follow this link to the Department of Planning and Community Development website.

View the media release announcing the release of the SEES.

View the media release announcing the Ministers assessment.

In this section

About the SEES

Community consultation and exhibition