The AAPMA held a workshop in Darwin on 15 August 2007 at which both member ports, through their environmental managers, and environmental regulators were present. Over 40 people attended.
The aim of the workshop was to improve the management, monitoring and environmental outcomes of dredge related activities in Australia.
We were able to commence discussions on a non-binding document on the environmental management of dredging projects. We have commenced work on a Table of Contents and we are in the process of identifying key experts (from amongst those who attended and those who were invited to attend but couldn't) who may be interested in being involved in the development of the document. The document will be developed in conjunction with government and academia, and will be a peer-reviewed, non-binding guidance document which describes and discusses environmental management and monitoring of dredge-related activities for Australia. It will also discuss the best way to progress long-term objectives.
We will ensure that the development of the document remains balanced, non-political and provides expert opinion and guidance, and generally be useful to regulators and industry.
We have also established this internet site (accessed via the AAPMA website) through which dredging practitioners and regulators will be able to share information. The first step in building this website is the posting of all of the presentations made at the Dredging Workshop (please see below).
We are interested in building this website and, to this end, we would like to receive relevant articles, papers, reports, etc, for posting. It is hoped that this site will become a central repository and point of access for dredge related reference materials, case studies, links, contacts, legislation and upcoming events
If you are interested in participating in this process, please keep in touch. Please contact:
Susan Blackwell
Executive Officer
Association of Australian Ports & Marine Authorities Inc
sblackwell@aapma.org.au
| Commonwealth Legislation |
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| New South Wales Legislation |
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| Northern Territory Legislation |
- Territory Legislation for dredging
Legislation of primary interest
· Environmental Assessment Act
· Environmental Assessment Administrative Procedures
· Water Act
· Water Regulations
· Declared Beneficial Uses of Darwin Harbour
http:/ /www.nt.gov.au/ nreta/ water/ beneficial/ pdf/ darwinharbour.pdf
· Environmental Offences And Penalties Act 1996
· Waste Management And Pollution Control Act
· Waste Management And Pollution Control (Administration) Regulations
Legislation of potential interest
· Marine Pollution Act
· Marine Pollution Regulations
· Planning Act
· National Environment Protection Council (Northern Territory) Act
These can be found at http:/ /www.nt.gov.au/ dcm/ legislation/ current.html under controlling agency "Department of Natural Resources Environment and the Arts" or alphabetically. Links to actual pdf and word doc files are lengthy and may change from time to time
Declared Beneficial Uses of Darwin Harbour Under Water Act can be found at
http:/ /www.nt.gov.au/ nreta/ water/ beneficial/ pdf/ darwinharbour.pdf
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| Queensland Legislation |
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| South Australia Legislation |
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| Tasmania Legislation |
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| Victoria Legislation |
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| Western Australia Legislation |
- http:/ /www.epa.wa.gov.au/ article.asp?ID=1835&area=Profile&CID=10&Category=Legislation
The link will lead you to:
Environmental Protection Act, 1986
The main piece of environmental Legislation. In WA amongst other issues it sets out the referral and assessment processes for projects with the potential for significant environmental risk (e.g. capital dredging assessed under Part IV and assessed by the EPA).
Contaminated Sites Act, 2003
An act that provides for the identification, recording, management and remediation of contaminated sites (including a last minute inclusion of marine sediments).
http:/ /www.epa.wa.gov.au/ template.asp?ID=49&area=Policies&Cat=Other+Documents
Perth’s Coastal Waters Environmental Values and Objectives – provides the framework for assessing and managing the environmental values of Western Australian waters
http:/ /www.epa.wa.gov.au/ template.asp?ID=14&area=EIA&Cat=Guidance+Statements
Waterways Conservation Act, 1976 – an Act that provides for the conservation and management of certain waterways and the development of Rivers and Estuaries Councils or Management Authorities – a license is typically required to carry out dredging, reclamation and disposal activities in proclaimed waters.
- Guidance Statements:
GS29 – Benthic Primary Producer Habitat Protection for Western Australia’s Marine Environment – this GS categorises a management unit (nominally 50km2) dependant on its usage and allocates a Cumulative Loss Threshold for BPPH relative to that expected pre-European history.
GS1 – Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coastline – used interchangeably or in addition to GS29.
Draft Guidance19 – Environmental Offsets – used to offset unavoidable impacts from projects to bring about a net, positive environmental outcome (economic and social factors are not considered), particularly used in instances where historic cumulative thresholds are exceeded (e.g. mangroves in the Pilbara).
http:/ /www.slp.wa.gov.au/ statutes/ swans.nsf/ 5d62daee56e9e4b348256ebd0012c422/ a5893b5d2efc1c4b48256a56001dd67e/ $FILE/ Waterways %20Conservation %20Act %201976.PDF
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