AMPTO SUBMISSION ON GBR STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT. A. Review of Dredging Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "AMPTO SUBMISSION ON GBR STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT. A. Review of Dredging Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area"

Maximillian Stokes
5 years ago
Views:

1 31 st January 2014 Targeted Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Programme Great Barrier Reef Strategic Assessment Public Consultation Manager GPO Box 668 Brisbane QLD 4001 SUBMISSION ON GBR STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT Reference: A. Review of Dredging Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area General As a generalisation, the marine tourism industry is extremely disappointed in the Draft Strategic Assessment. The document totally fails to address the holistic and cumulative effects of proposed infrastructure works and services associated with the mining boom on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). In our opinion to have the document say that the effects of dredging are a moderate threat in inconceivable and totally ignores reality. Unfortunately, it would appear that it is almost inevitable that is heading towards major conflict, political action and potentially legal challenges with the GBRMPA over dredging. Expectations When the World Heritage Committee visited QLD to inspect the effects of the mining boom on the World Heritage Areas on or adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) the marine tourism industry and the World Heritage Committee were told that a Strategic Assessment would be conducted by the GBRMPA and that the assessment would include cumulative and holistic impacts. Marine Tourism Consultation The initial principle method of marine tourism consultation was through the GBRMPA TRRAC, particularly for the Terms of Reference and the initial drafts prior to the current draft going out to the public. At the TRRAC meeting that saw the draft terms of reference, members were extremely disappointed in the terms of reference and said that it would not present a fair or reasonable assessment as it was clear that cumulative impacts and/or a holistic assessment of dredging, increased large vessel movements and anchorages would not be clearly, if at all, explained.

2 Targeted Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Programme Despite our expressed concerns, it appeared that the GBRMPA ignored industry requests for stronger terms of reference. The next opportunity was at a combined RAC meeting where again the feedback from all the RAC members was that the document was very weak. During this meeting, many members were very agitated at the poor effort in addressing dredging and this resulted in many heated comments. Despite our expressed concerns, it appears that the GBRMPA ignored industry requests for a more focused effort to address dredging and shipping. The next combined RAC meeting provided feedback on the current draft and again was very disappointed with the document in that it again ignored dredging and increased vessel movements. is concerned that the lack of action over industry concerns since the draft terms of reference will result in a small number of submissions, simply from the perspective that the GBRMPA has ignored what we have been saying in all the previous meetings and produced a draft with little if any changes. Industry members have expressed the opinion that it is clear that the GBRMPA has decided to side with the mining industry regardless of what our industry wants or what damage will occur on the GBR and continuing to ask for a real Strategic Assessment, we are wasting our time. Since the release of the draft document, members have attended public and LMAC meetings and again expressed their concerns but with very little hope of being effective in getting essential changes. There is considerable anger directed at the GBRMPA for what industry sees as a betrayal of the protection needs of the GBR and for their failure to maximise the opportunity to address major threats. Legislation The failure to address the threats of dredging and increased vessel movements is in s opinion a breach of the Act as per below. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (1) The main object of this Act is to provide for the long term protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef Region.

3 Targeted Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Programme Since the beginning of the GBRMP tourism has been bound up in red tape and permits, based on the precautionary principle. As a simple equity issue wants the same principle applied to dredging! There is clearly a knowledge gap on dredging spoil and therefore dumping should not be allowed until we know what the long term effects will be and if the spoil grounds are going to be stable or if they will move during normal or cyclonic weather. Dredging commissioned the Reef Rainforest Research Centre to write a report, Review of Dredging Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Reference A, attached to this submission, so that our members would be able to make a more informed decision on impacts on the GBR. Spoil disposal of dredging on the GBR or on land has significant challengers from an environmental point of view but the overwhelming scientific view is that disposal in the GBR will adversely affect the health of the reef in the disposal area. Every effort should be made to use engineering alternatives such as extending wharfs etc. was informed that an extended trestle construction could have been used to solve most of the issues at Abbot Point and one of the proposed designs was submitted to and accepted by Maritime Services QLD. was further informed that the mining proponents rejected that proposal based on cost as it was cheaper to dump their rubbish in the GBR. From Reference A page 7: Sediment dredged from the ocean floor can behave differently from sediment delivered to the marine environment by rivers, or resuspended by wind and wave action. Often a freshly broken surface is created, releasing very fine silt and colloidal material into the water column, creating milky white clouds. These fine sediment clouds are difficult to control, can remain in suspension for long periods and can spread over large areas due to currents, wind and waves (Erftemeijer et al. 2012a). The dispersal and deposition of dredge sediment tends to be towards north-facing embayments in the GBR, travelling distances of up to km from the source depending on hydrological and weather conditions (Brodie et al. 2013, Evans et al. 2012). The potential for damage is not known and therefore the precautionary principle should apply.

4 Targeted Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Programme Other documented impacts of dredging and increased port activity include: Exposure of acid sulphate soils When these soils are disturbed and exposed to air they produce sulphuric acid and often release toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals. These toxins can leach into the marine environment; changing water chemistry and harming marine plants and animals. Increased shipping incidents Estimates of the likely increase in shipping traffic within the GBR predict between 3000 and 10,000 GBR port calls by 2020 (GBRMPA 2013, PMG 2012). This increased vessel traffic increases the probability that a significant incident grounding and/or oil spill will occur within the GBR Marine Park and impact on sensitive marine habitats. Introduction of invasive species Dredging activities in and around ports often use dredge vessels that have been based elsewhere. There are potential issues associated with the introduction of non-native species via this dredge equipment, as well as construction equipment brought in for port expansion projects (Grech et al. 2013). Increased vessel impacts on marine megafauna Increased dredge vessel activity, as well as increasing ship visits, is expected to result in more vessel strikes on marine megafauna turtles, dugongs and dolphins and to potentially displace populations. More information on the above can be found in Reference A. Relative threat of dredging. The impacts from dredging should be considered in the light of an already degraded inshore coastal system. Declining water quality from land-based agricultural activities in the adjacent catchment has been identified as the primary cause of degradation. The Wet Tropics, Burdekin and Fitzroy regions contribute most to these river pollutant loads (Kroon et al. 2013). Implications For Tourism In the continuing debate about the expansion of major ports on the GBR coast and the implications for its World Heritage status, there is the possibility that UNESCO will consider, in the absence of substantial progress, the possible inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

5 Targeted Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Programme This will have implications for the thousands of commercial marine tourism operators who take almost 2 million people to see the GBR each year and rely on marketing its natural beauty and values. Commercial marine tourism is the largest direct contributor to economic activity in the region when compared to other reef-based industries (AUD5.1 billion in 2006/07). It also provides 93% of employment in the GBR region. A loss of its World Heritage status, or an actual loss of ecological values due to dredging impacts would have significant implications for the GBR tourism industry. The visibility in the Whitsundays has declined over the last 20 years and snorkelling off Daydream Island was excellent 15 years ago but now is rated as very poor owing to low visibility and loss of coral. While this statement is not scientific, it is a reality and the lack of scientific evidence supports the case for a precautionary principle to be applied until we do know with certainty. s Position on Dredging recognises the economic imperative of mining and therefore the need to export commodities. Any new capital works dredging and maintenance dredging to support that new work, should be done in such a way that dredge spoil is not dumped in the marine park or water likely to pollute the marine park. Land based disposal, even reclamation projects, are preferred. Financial viability should not be a justification for dumping dredge spoil in or near the Marine Park. Trellis type wharfage extensions could be used at Abbott and Hay Point to reduce dredging to a minimum. accepts that Gladstone, Hay Point and Abbott Point will be the main coal export ports and that they should be developed even with some water quality issues for the GBR. No new port or channel dredging is supported other than that stated above. Summary believes that the GBR Strategic Assessment does not address the main threats to the GBR has been a waste of time, money and effort. It does not address dredging, dumping of dredge spoil, increase large vessel movements and anchorage. Nor has it addressed the Marine Tourism Industry s advice to GBRMPA right from the beginning that the terms of reference were inadequate.

6 Targeted Crown of Thorns Starfish Control Programme believes the UNESCO World Heritage Committee should and will feel as insulted as we do with this woeful effort by the GBRMPA. Yours truly, Col McKenzie Executive Director

Australian Network of Environmental Defender s Offices

Australian Network of Environmental Defender s Offices Submission on draft Regulation Impact Statement to ban disposal of capital dredge spoil material in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 27 March 2015