Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An Analysis of International Approaches
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- 2.1Ports in Australia
- 2.2Environmental management and regulation context
1.2.IntroductionThe Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) commissioned GHD with the support of Sprott Planning & Environment to investigate and identify best practice environmental management standards relevant to the planning, development and operation of seaports internationally. The primary purpose of this work is to better understand international management benchmarks and their potential application in an Australian context. This study forms one of a number of research projects being conducted by SEWPaC to support the comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone and the management of environmental impacts associated with ports and shipping. This report may be used by SEWPaC in conjunction with other research to help inform Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) assessments of ports in the Great Barrier Reef region and more broadly around Australia and assessments of dredge spoil disposal activities under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (Sea Dumping Act). The methodology for this report includes a literature review, analysis of relevant case studies, identification of best practice examples in environmental management, and stakeholder consultation to help benchmark current Australian management approaches and identify opportunities and constraints for implementing the best practice examples in Australia. It considers site selection, planning and design, construction and operational phases (including monitoring) of port development. This report focuses on activities that could generate environmental threats which are directly controlled or influenced by ports, and have the potential to significantly impact on matters of national environmental significance (MNES) as defined in the EPBC Act. The report does not cover management of activities such as railways, roads and shipping operations that are external to the port. Decommissioning of ports was also not covered as the focus is on management of the environmental impacts of new or expanded ports. 2.1Ports in AustraliaPorts and associated infrastructure are of significant economic and social importance to Australia. They are an important gateway for industry, goods and services, and support the domestic, security and safety needs of the nation. There are over 70 ports on the Australian coastline, of varying size and scale. Environmental settings range from the tropical World Heritage Areas associated with the Great Barrier Reef; the remote regional locations of the northern Pilbara; and the large container port located in a heavily urbanised location such as Melbourne or Sydney. Locations are shown in Figure . 
Figure Ports of Australia (Ports Australia, 2013) Many of these ports are experiencing continued growth. The National Ports Strategy (2012) states that Australia’s bulk commodity exports and metropolitan container imports are both expected to double in size every 10 years. Examples are shown in Table below. Table Expected trade growth through ports in Australia
Source – Australian Bulk Commodity Exports and Infrastructure – Outlook to 2025 (July 2012), BREE Demand for mineral and resource commodities is driving much of this expansion, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia. Many of Australia’s ports, including those subject to significant development proposals, are located in sensitive environmental settings and have special needs and considerations in terms of fulfilling international commitments and obligations. For example, in Queensland several ports are located in or adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). In Victoria the Port of Hastings is located adjacent to the Westernport Ramsar area and the Port of Melbourne channels are close to a Ramsar area. 2.2Environmental management and regulation contextAs ports are often located in sensitive environmental settings and can result in a range of environmental impacts, good design and sound environmental management of construction and operational activities is critical. Sustainability is identified by ports around Australia as a key consideration in their overall management strategies. This includes environmental management of port, shipping and resource industries as a whole. Environmental impacts of port activities can extend beyond the bounds of the port itself. Significant improvements in environmental management have been made over many decades and it remains important to continually improve. This report provides international examples which may assist with this continued improvement. The responsibility for environmental approvals and regulation of port development lies with various bodies across several levels of government. Assessing port developments that could have a significant impact on MNES is the responsibility of SEWPaC under the EPBC Act. The seven MNES protected under the EPBC Act that are of greatest direct relevance to port development and operations are: World heritage properties National heritage places Wetlands of international importance (listed under the Ramsar Convention) Listed threatened species and ecological communities Migratory species protected under international agreements Commonwealth marine areas The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Dredge spoil disposal activities in the marine environment need to be assessed by SEWPaC under the Sea Dumping Act. These assessments examine impacts on the marine environment more broadly than just MNES. The outcomes of this study may inform SEWPaC’s consideration of project referrals and assessments under both of these pieces of legislation.
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