The bill, which is the first Greens private members bill in the Victorian Parliament in the state upper house, was second read by Sue Pennicuik, Greens MLC. It is expected to be debated in the last week of June.

The bill prohibits the disposal or placement of dredged or excavated material in Port Phillip Bay, whether or not as a result of the CDP, if that material is noxious, poisonous, harmful or potentially harmful to human health, wildlife or plants, or detrimental to any beneficial use made of those waters.

"The Greens are moving to prevent the creation of a toxic legacy for future generations of Victorians," said Ms Pennicuik.

"The Port of Melbourne Corporation has commenced dredging up two million cubic metres of toxic material and placing it in a giant sand covered hole in Port Phillip Bay, creating the largest toxic waste site in Victorian history in the middle of the Bay."

"The material, which contains cadmium, mercury, arsenic, dieldrin, and DDT and other dangerous toxicants, has been classified as 'unsafe for unconfined marine disposal' under the National Ocean Disposal Guidelines."

"Untreated sediment would not be acceptable to the EPA for disposal on land, and yet the PMC and state government seem unconcerned about dumping it in the Bay."

"Once placed in the containment bund off the coast of Mordialloc, the toxic sediment will be left uncovered for a period between 140 days and five years, during which time it may disperse into the water column, threatening marine life and human health."

"It is unconscionable in the 21st century for a government to allow a public authority to dump millions of tonnes of contaminated material into Port Phillip Bay."

"The Port of Melbourne Corporation should be required to comply with the EPA Act, and not only its inadequate Environmental Management Plan."

The Greens remain opposed to dredging the contaminated sediments in the Yarra River and to the whole channel deepening project on environmental and economic grounds.

Further information: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270