Ports and Dredging

Dredging is vital to keep Ports operational!!

Ports have been operating in Australia for over 200 years and dredging has been a vital part of ensuring safe and efficient ports.

Dredging involves removing sediment from the seafloor for a variety of purposes, whether to deepen or maintain existing berth pockets and passageways or to create additional berths in harbours.  NQBP is port authority for three ports operating within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area which have been subject to strict environmental controls for many decades.

Throughout the past year there has been a concerted campaign of misinformation about dredging operations proposed at the Port of Abbot Point.  The misinformation generally claims that dredging will result in damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

NQBP has an impeccable track record with regards to dredging activities.  In accordance with Commonwealth and State legislative requirements, all NQBP dredging projects undergo rigorous environmental assessment of potential impacts.

While the science is extensive and detailed – the facts are simple:

 

• All coral reefs are protected from dredging;
• No toxic material is disposed at sea;
• Suitable relocation sites are selected carefully under strict regulation;
• All environmental sensitive areas are protected; and
• Australia needs ports and ports require dredging.

 Since 2002, NQBP has successfully undertaken 22 dredging campaigns and  have employed world class environmental management and monitoring programs for each campaign.  These serve as a far better guide to what can be expected than the deliberately misleading and wildly inaccurate claims.

Dredging - So What's the Big Deal??

Unfortunately in recent times and as a result of a well-planned campaign from conservation groups opposing port development, many people may now associate dredging with having a negative impact on the environment, rather than a sustainable activity which is critical to ensure ongoing safe and efficient shipping at our ports.

Dredging is completed to the highest standard to ensure any impacts are managed, and even more so in areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. With years of experience managing dredging projects, we have an excellent understanding of minimising impacts from dredging. We are not new to this.  In fact, we have found that offshore disposal of dredged material has a localised, temporary impact, with recovery in a relatively short period.  Some offshore relocation sites can even become more bio diverse and productive for marine life.

Managing our ports: Facts to consider - Relocation of Dredged material

Source : North Queensland Bulk Ports