Dredging Myths and Facts

Dredging Fact

"Due to budget and timeframe constraints, and the technical challenges posed by the large spatial coverage and the extended period for simulation, it was necessary to make a number of simplifying assumptions. Some of the assumptions do not reflect real conditions, leading to a lack of allignment with existing field measurements!!

Consequently, the sediment plume and transport maps provided in this report do not represent actual sedimentation rates or the specific extent of dredge material dispersion and migration."

 

As quoted by the GBRMPA Interpretive Statement on page 6!

Source: GBRMPA Interpretive Statement



"This study investigated the migration of dredged sediments during placement operations (not dredging) and over 12 months when placed at existing and hypothetical alternative placement sites at six study locations.  The sediment plume modelling was based on relevant hypothetical placement scenarios established in cooperation with port operators but do not represent specific past or proposed dredging campaigns.

As quoted by  the SKM 2013 Report.

Source: Improved Dredge Material Management for the Great Barrier Reef Region, SKM, 2013


As quoted by Dr Brett Kettle , who has over 30 years experience in the field of dredging - "The furthest ecological effects of dredging had ever been seen away from the dredge sites was 10km"

Source: News Article posted in the Whitsunday Times 3rd May, 2014.

Sediments and the Reef!!

Does sediment have any impacts on the Great Barrier Reef??

Let's first look at the history of the reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. It was declared a World Heritage area in 1981 and added to the Natural Heritage List in 2007.

Stretching 2300 kilometres, this natural icon is so large it can even be seen from outer space.  It covers an area about 344,400 km^{2 .}

It includes some 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands.

It  extends south from the northern tip of Queensland in north-eastern Australia to just north of Bundaberg.

The Reef is about 500,000 years old, in it's present form it is estimated to be between 6000 to 8000 years old. 

Sediments have been running into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef since it was first formed.  The massive river systems in northern Queensland have been dumping millions and millions of tonnes of sediment for thousands of years with no effect to the reef!

So, how can the suspended sediments from dredging at Abbot Point cause any harm to the reef, when sediments from rivers systems have been doing the exact same for thousands of years??

The reef has known stresses as stated by the Australian Institute of Marine Science.  Coral bleaching, storm damage and Crown of Thorns Starfish.  Now, we know you cannot stop mother nature as in the form of storms damage, but, coral bleaching and Crown of Thorns Starfish.  What has caused these to take over the reef??  Could it be from pollutants coming out of the river systems from farming practices?? A new report from the AIMS states that this could be the case!!

Courier Mail Article

In the above article it is stated: -  MILLIONS of tonnes of farm-based and naturally occurring pollutants are flooding the Great Barrier Reef each year, choking sea grasses, starving marine life and killing coral.  The report said the state’s rivers discharge 17 million tonnes of suspended sediments, 80,000 tonnes of nitrogen, and 16,000 tonnes of phosphorus annually to the reef, up to eight times the level compared with pre-European times, strongly suggesting farming and development were responsible. It found flooding also had a dramatic impact on water quality and the discharge from rivers determined water clarity on the reef.

 So, pollutants in my opinion are what have caused the stress to the reef , not sediment itself , but , what is in the sediment!!

The seabed floor at Abbot Point has been tested and found to be non toxic, so , therefore , the sediments stirred up from the dredging should have no effect on the local eco systems!!

Here is another link to a good article about reefs surviving in a sediment rich environment. More proof that sediments itself is not the main problem for the reef!!

Coral Reef Thriving in sediment laden waters.

Quoted from the above article:-

Rapid rates of coral reef growth have been identified in sediment-laden marine environments, conditions previously believed to be detrimental to reef growth. A new study has established that Middle Reef – part of Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef – has grown more rapidly than many other reefs in areas with lower levels of sediment stress. This image shows Middle Reef from above the water.

Abbot Point dredging details -

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has a long and respected history of successfully delivering dredging projects at its various ports. For over three decades NQBP has been undertaking dredging programs to ensure the safe navigation of ships and port efficiency.

As the port authority for some of Australia’s largest ports, NQBP follows an approach based on sustainable planning, thorough environmental management and rigorous environmental monitoring.
A dredging campaign is required at Abbot Point to achieve the required depths in the berth pockets and departure area for new coal terminal expansions at the port: T0, T2 and T3.


Key Facts About the Proposed Dredging Campaign

The Approval Process
The project is being assessed under the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
It has been deemed a controlled action under the Act and is assessable by Public Environment Report (PER). Comments are currently being sought from the public on the PER. Comments close on 15 February.


The Location
The dredged material will be removed from future berth and apron areas within the specified Abbot Point port area, adjacent to the existing offshore berths.
The area to be dredged covers about 180 hectares.


Volume of Dredged Material
Up to three million cubic metres of clean material will be dredged.


Dredging Timing
It is estimated the dredging will take a total of about 10 weeks, over a number of campaigns. Dredging and disposal will only be carried out between April and October to avoid the turtle nesting and wet seasons.


Why Offshore Disposal?

Dredged material disposal at sea requires extensive analysis of alternatives in accordance with international protocols (London Convention) and Commonwealth requirements (Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981)).

Decisions with regards to dredging are based on the best overall environmental outcome.

Offshore disposal was chosen to achieve the best environmental outcomes. This decision was arrived at after a comprehensive workshop was undertaken along with the regulators. Sea disposal was determined a superior option compared to land disposal and the significant environmental and cultural heritage issues that would result.

Disposal Location and Plume Footprint

The dredged material will be disposed at a designated location about 25 kilometres offshore, away from coral reefs, in about 40 metres of water depth. The seabed at the disposal area does not contain any habitat of ecological significance.

Release of the dredged material will occur under the water surface and most of the coarse material will fall out of the water column and settle primarily within the disposal area boundary. Some fine sediment in the dredged material will be suspended in the water column and travel in a north westerly direction (away from Holbourne Island).

Impact on Holbourne Island
Expert and peer reviewed 3D modelling of the distribution of the dredged material plume indicates that the plume will not reach Holbourne Island.


No Toxic Materials

Sediment analysis was carried out following the National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging and identified no contaminants present in the sediment at levels that could result in environmental harm.

Only material that has been tested and determined suitable for ocean disposal, and not toxic or hazardous material, can be disposed of at sea.

Ongoing Water Quality Monitoring

A water quality monitoring program has already been implemented and incorporates the latest scientific thinking with key criteria based on the protection of ecological communities present at Abbot Point.

This is a long-term program which will continue after dredging occurs.

Marine Environment Impacts

Marine ecology surveys of the disposal site and the surrounding area did not identify any communities or habitat with unique or high ecological values. While some impacts may occur, they will be minor and short-term.

Fishing Impacts

The scientific studies and modelling carried out show any impacts from dredging will be temporary and will not impact fishing in the long-term.

Plume modelling shows suspended sediment will not affect habitat such as coral reefs that may support finfish species.

However, NQBP will work with the fishing community and scientific experts to ensure that any impacts to fisheries are monitored throughout the project and will look at options for establishing a long-term management strategy.

Impact on the Caley Valley Wetlands
There will be no impact on the Caley Valley Wetlands from this dredging project.

How Social Media has been used to spread HYSTERIA!!

Greenpeace, WWF , Fight for the Reef and various other Green organizations and groups have been waging a war on the fossil fuel industry.  All in the name of so called Global Warming which they now call Climate Change!!  Using the Dredging at Abbot Point as their tool in their fight against COAL!! Most of the information you see on the internet are full of lies and scaremongering. 

The power of social media reaches far and wide.  All over the world people are up in arms about a tiny dredging campaign at a 30 year old Coal Terminal. A coal terminal which has dredged many times before with no scientific proof of any damage done to any of the surrounding environment!! The sediment from this dredging is far less than the sediment that travels out of our massive river systems every year when they flood!!

Lets go over some of the absolutely amazing lies and scaremongering spread by these so called Green groups.

With photos like this doing the rounds , how can you blame people for being misled. "Dumping on the Reef."  The reef is not being dumped on. The dredged spoil is being deposited about 40kilometres away from the reef!! The seabed floor which is mainly sand , silt and clay is being picked up from one area near the Abbot Point terminal and deposited in an area of similar seabed. No seagrass or reef anywhere near where the spoil will be deposited.   Dr Brett Kettle who has experience in dredging has stated that the effects would be flat out extending 10 kilometres from the dredging site!!  

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 Stop Dredgers Tearing up the Reef!! "Don't Dredge Our Reef"  The Reef is not being dredged. The dredging is taking place at Abbot Point, near the mainland of Australia, the Reef is about 40 kilometres away!! Photos like the above are being put up all over the internet to gain public support to stop the dredging at Abbot Point. Would you join them if you saw a misleading photo like this?? Ofcourse you would.  This is the problem, telling mistruths to gain support. 

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A coal ship super highway?? Really!! The above picture makes it seem like the reef will be used as an industrial zone and ships will be using it as a super highway. When in fact, the reef itself is nowhere near any industry. No industries will be built on the Reef!!  There is a designated shipping lane for all ships to use through the Great Barrier Reef.   Not just for coal ships, but for all types of ships, such as Cruise Ships, ships used for exporting and importing goods to and from Australia.  Once again, a misleading photo to shock people into thinking something that is totally not true!!

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The above photo taken of Stone Island has been sighted in a few articles and facebook pages online.  This photo is of a reef near Stone Island off the coast of Bowen.  They have made out that dredging has caused this reef to die.  What they failed to mention in their articles etc was that , very near to this reef on the mainland of Bowen is a sewerage plant.  Effluent had been going into the ocean for years!! There is no possible way that dredging could ever had been responsible for this.

If you look at the above google image of where Stone Island is situated in relation to Abbot Point, you will then realize how impossible that any dredge sediment could ever make its way around the corner to the island!! For that matter , if sediment did travel that far it would have been all over the beaches of Bowen. I can tell you right now , there has never been sediment washing up on the beaches.  

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Talking about sediment, brings up this very misleading photo.  Saying that dredge spoil can travel up to 80km!!  More half truths with no scientific proof. They took this from a GBRMPA report.  The GBRMPA itself released an interpretive statement to accompany the report that says the risk assessments in the study were for comparative purposes only and could not be used to access the impact of a particular project!!

The interpretive report said "Due to budget and timeframe constraints, and the technical challenges posed by the large spatial coverage and the extended period for simulation, it was necessary to make a number of simplifying assumptions. Some of the assumptions do not reflect real conditions, leading to a lack of allignment with existing field measurements!!

If the spoil did travel up to 80 km then every time Abbot Point dredged previously, the beaches of Bowen and surrounding areas would have been covered with washed up sediment. No documented evidence of that ever happening.  Below is the link to the interpretive statement from GBRMPA.

Interpretive Statement - GBRMPA

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The photo above did the rounds awhile ago when the dredging was first approved.  It was actually a photo of dredging of the Dubai Palm Islands off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf.   The comments posted below the photo are typical of the scaremongering and uneducated posts from people who know nothing about dredging.

Very misleading photo.  The dredging in the above photo used the rainbowing technique to disperse the dredged material. The dredging at Abbot Point will use a trailing suction hopper dredger. The dredged spoil will be sucked up using a suction pipe that is lowered to the seabed floor, it will then be taken to where it is to be dispersed.  The doors will open at the bottom of the dredger and the dredged material will be dispersed, most of it will sink straight to the bottom. 

Below is a video explaining the techniques. Remembering, that rainbowing will not be used at Abbot Point.

Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger Video

  

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These are just a sample of some of the misleading photos doing the rounds.  Ofcourse, there have been so many more. A point to remember:  just because you see a picture on a computer screen, it does not always mean that it is a true representation of what is actually happening!!

Coal Industry Under Attack

Stopping the Australian Coal Export Boom

Greenpeace Australia plans to disrupt and delay coal export projects in the country in a campaign to stop the booming sector. In a leaked report obtained from Greenpeace it clearly states exactly how they plan to do this.

 Link to Greenpeace Report

Their strategy in the report is to "disrupt and delay" key projects and infrastructure while gradually eroding public and political support for the industry and continually building the power to win more.

There are 6 elements to this strategy:

 
1.  Disrupt and delay key infrastructure

 
     Challenge and delay key infrastructure developments (ports and
     rail) and ‘mega mines’.

 
2.  Constrain the space for mining.

 
     Build on the outrage created by coal seam gas to win federal
     and state based reforms to exclude mining from key areas,
     such as farmland, nature refuges, aquifers, and near homes.
     Landowners locking the gate.

 
3.   Increase investor risk

 
      Create uncertainty and a heightened perception of risk over coal
      investments.

 
4.   Increase costs

 
      Increasing the cost of coal is fundamental to the long-term global
      strategy to phase out the industry. We can start to remove the
      massive subsidies to the coal industry, and to internalize the
      ‘externalized’ costs of coal.

 
5.   Withdraw the social license of the coal industry

 
      Change the story of coal from being the backbone of our
      economy, to being a destructive industry that destroys the
      landscape and communities, corrupts our democracy, and
      threatens the global climate. 

 
6.   Build a powerful movement

 
      Create stronger networks and alliances and build the power
      necessary to win larger victories over time.

Activist checklist 2 years on

 

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche released a checklist of coordinated activism aimed at shutting down Queensland’s export coal and gas industries.

Link to article

 

Link to Checklist

Dredging Wrongly Blamed for Damaging the Reef

One of the misconceptions going around about the dredging at Abbot Point is that it will do untold damage to the Great Barrier Reef.  This is totally untrue.  There is no scientific evidence that dredging can or ever will cause damage to the reef.  Yes, there will be short term impacts, mainly from turbidity of the water while the sediments settle.  Most impacts will not go any further than 10 kilometres from the dredged site. A lot of scaremongering from Green groups have stated that the effects will be felt for up to 80 kilometres away. This is simply not true and is just one of the many myths that are circulating.

The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its coral cover in the last 27 years. The loss was due to storm damage (48%), crown of thorns starfish (42%), and bleaching (10%) according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences today by researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville and the University of Wollongong.

No mention anywhere on the AIMS website stating that dredging has ever caused any damage to the reef. Isn't it amazing how the green groups have spread lies saying just that!!

 http://www.aims.gov.au/latest-news/-/asset_publisher/MlU7/content/2-october-2012-the-great-barrier-reef-has-lost-half-of-its-coral-in-the-last-27-years 

Environmental advocates believe the enormous scale of the dredging could put the Reef's health at risk. (It is only 3 million cubic metres)

The state-owned North Queensland Bulk Ports is confident they are wrong. It led a similar project in 2006 to expand the Hay Point terminal south of Mackay.

It shifted 8.6million cubic metres of seabed into the marine park, and NQBP chief executive Brad Fish said it was done with scarcely a peep from green groups.

"We received very little, if any, response from the various environmental groups," Mr Fish said.

At Abbot Point, the sandy material will be taken from the coastline then moved to a "like-for-like" area. From start to finish, it will remain at least 40km from the nearest reef.

Mr Fish said there would be impacts from the operation, but these would be short-term. Mainly from cloudiness of the water, caused by the movement of sand.

Mr Fish said those fighting hardest against the dredging were not trying to protect the environment; they wanted to destroy the coal industry. "It's much easier to put your energy into stopping a coal port, which might then stop five mines, than by fighting five mines individually," he said.

 Despite half a century of reef “experts” chanting a continuous litany of imminent threats to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) none has proved to be other than trivial or temporary. The threat de jour is dredging in connection with port developments for the gas and mining industries.  Is this one any more real than the previous non-events, or is it just another grab for public attention and funding by the reef salvation industry?

 http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/doomed-planet/2013/11/dredging-another-bogus-threat/ 

Environmentalists and the Australian Greens Party are waging a massive campaign, opposing the expansion of Queensland's "Abbot Point" coal-terminal. In so doing they have created a lot of hysteria in the media. The Greens propaganda is always full of dire predictions and catastrophic events.

Their opening statements always start with "the reef is under threat". They falsely claim; the proposed dredging and port expansion will produce an unprecedented amount of spoils, kill all marine life, destroy the coral reef and ruin the Queensland economy in the process: I can assure you, this is not the case.

The Greens and their army of fanatics, have no concept of scale. The nearest coral reef to the dredge site is 40 kilometres away; a fast boat ride would take more than an hour. Imagine trying to swim that distance.

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=15885&page=1 

Consistently ignored in most reactions to the federal approval of a modest dredging program at the Abbot Point coal terminal in north Queensland is a landmark raising of the environmental protection bar for the Great Barrier Reef.

The prestigious status of the reef was recognised from the outset by the project proponents, who voluntarily commissioned Australia's most comprehensive Cumulative Impact Assessment process.

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/great-barrier-reef-dredging-is-demonised-by-activists-20131220-2zqpc.html#ixzz31Nxy159p

 “Save the reef” has become a popular catch-cry among many environment groups, with Greenpeace’s Great Barrier Reef website shared more than 125,000 times on social media to date. It and many similar campaigns have focused heavily on “massive dredging, dumping and shipping” for coal and gas ports, particularly the recent Abbot Point dredging decision.

 http://theconversation.com/the-battle-over-abbot-point-risks-losing-the-great-barrier-reef-war-24207

Frequently asked questions:

Is the Great Barrier Reef being dredged for shipping??

No

Is dredge sediment being dumped on reef or seagrass??

No

How far is Abbot Point Coal terminal from the reef??

40 kilometres

What is dredging??

Dredging is an excavation activity to deepen and widen harbours and waterway channels. Safe and navigable waterways are essential for modern and economically competitive ports for the import and export of goods. Dredge material is thoroughly screened for contamination before being approved for carefully considered placement, usually in the marine environment.  

Why do we need to dredge??

We need dredging to:

	maintain safe depths in channels, berths and swinging basin within a harbour to allow efficient shipping to occur (maintenance dredging). This is because natural processes such as river discharges, waves and currents transport sediments into the channels and berths
	create new areas of a harbour to facilitate import and export needs of Australia’s growing population.

 What are the most serious threats to the reef??

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority identified the greatest threats to the GBR World Heritage Area as climate change, catchment runoff, coastal development and overfishing/illegal fishing. Neither an increase in shipping traffic nor port dredging has been scientifically recorded as contributing to coral cover loss or a historical decline in the environmental health of the GBR.

Where does dredge material go??

Dredged material relocation is highly regulated and requires extensive analysis of alternatives in accordance with international protocols and Commonwealth legislation. Material for ocean placement is tested under rigorous requirements set out by the National Australian Guidelines for Dredging, using accredited laboratories for the analysis of the material.

Under these and other strict environmental standards, dredging has been conducted successfully in the GBR for decades with minimal impact on the marine environment.

Is there any need to dredge on or near the reef??

There is no need to dredge in or near the outer reef and lagoon areas of the GBR Marine Park and World Heritage Area. In the designated shipping areas the water depths and natural channels are sufficient to enable shipping to occur without the need for dredging.

Why are Queensland's ports important??

Almost all Australia's goods are imported or exported via ship, which make us heavily reliant on efficient ports to send our agricultural and mineral commodities to the world and import food, vehicles and fuel. Exports through ports alongside the Great Barrier Reef were worth $40 billion in 2011-12, representing 78 percent of Queensland’s total export volume.

Can Queensland ports and the Great Barrier Reef co-exist??

Yes. Commercial shipping has been occurring in the GBR area for around 100 years, with shipping safety standards that are among the best in the world. All port activities, developments and shipping within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area are monitored and managed in accordance with Queensland and federal government laws.