Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An Analysis of International Approaches
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- 7.7Summary
- 7.7.1Site selection
- 7.7.2Master planning
- 8. 9.Environmental management responses and standards
7.6Australian contextGovernments in each Australian jurisdiction typically approach site selection based on the economic and social drivers of port development as outlined in Section 4.2. Recent work as part of the Australian Government’s National Land Freight Strategy (Commonwealth of Australia, 2012) points towards new and expanded seaport sites being selected on the basis of proximity to existing or likely future surface transport networks. This trend is likely to continue as each jurisdiction looks at providing efficient and cost effective infrastructure solutions around the nation. As ports are just one part of the overall logistics chain, their location must be considerate of broader infrastructure elements. However, as discussed, there is a broader range of environmental considerations that should be weighted in the site selection of port development, in the move towards best practice environmental port development. Many Australian ports have developed master plans in various forms over long periods of time. These documents are not usually published due to the inclusion of commercial-in-confidence material or where issues of cargo contestability are evident. This can create the impression that the master planning has not occurred. It is recommended that port master plan summary documents which protect commercial sensitivities are published to help better inform and include stakeholders. Such summaries could articulate the environmental management approach to be applied across the port-wide region. The National Ports Strategy released in 2012 by the Council of Australian Governments outlines a renewed focus on port master planning. Whilst each jurisdiction will have their own view on the approach to port master plans, having a common port master planning framework would be very useful for forward planning activities and outlining the standards for what should be included in contemporary port master plans in relation to environmental performance. Alignment of port policy and planning was discussed more broadly during consultation on this report, as a potential means to achieve best practice port development in Australia. While the broader aspects of this have not been able to be explored in this report, it was discussed that alignment of legislation or requirements relating to port master planning could be particularly beneficial. Ports Australia is currently developing a common framework and understanding for port master planning, which will assist in the understanding of master planning benefits and the key principles and contemporary methodologies for preparing such documents. The incorporation of SEA as part of port master planning could be appropriate for Australia in some circumstances. The high degree of variability of port settings would necessitate an individual analysis of the benefits of a comprehensive SEA style assessment. Not all port master plans will require assessments at this scale, however, the key principle of early consideration of strategic environmental values and cumulative impacts is central to any assessment. More proactive use of the ‘Strategic Assessment’ provisions contained in Part 10 of the EPBC Act may be appropriate. 7.7SummaryRigorous site selection and comprehensive port master planning with an environmental management focus should form a central part of comprehensive coastal planning. In Australia, these two elements of the overall port development cycle are critical stages for the overall avoidance of environmental impact, as well as protection and ongoing management of MNES. 7.7.1Site selectionConsideration of a range of social, economic and environmental factors will help avoid long-term and prolonged legacy issues for both the operations of the port and its environment. The site selection process should be informed by industry specialists from a cross-section of technical, economic, environmental, planning and social backgrounds to enable avoidance of significant impacts and early consideration of environmental values. Scenario testing is critical to minimise and understand the full scope of potential environmental impacts associated with different port development scenarios. 7.7.2Master planningPort master planning is an important foundation for overall port governance and environmental management considerations. In addition to normal operational efficiency and capacity considerations in a master plan, the port master planning exercise should seek to:
8.9.Environmental management responses and standardsThis section identifies the management responses and best practice standards that ports outside Australia have made in response to the environmental impacts of port construction and operation. These responses address issues in two ways: through planning, design and construction; and through monitoring and ongoing-management. It is important to note that practices are constantly improving over time and any measures adopted should have an element of adaptive management and continuous improvement. Directory: system -> files -> resources resources -> The National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List: 1 july 2008 30 june 2013 resources -> Reference list for water related coal seam gas and coal mining research resources -> Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators isd sections of Law resources -> Executive Summary 3 Background 4 Developing the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme 4 resources -> Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by resources -> Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011–12 resources -> Sawfish and River Sharks Multispecies Issues Paper resources -> Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Queensland Crocodile Farming Download 0.6 Mb. Share with your friends:
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