dredging program for the dampier port upgrade - epa wa · pdf file3.2.3 dredging method 15 ......

Dredging Program for the DampierPort Upgrade

REFERRAL DOCUMENT Final October 2003

Dredging Program for the Dampier PortUpgrade

REFERRAL DOCUMENT Final October 2003

Sinclair Knight MerzABN 37 001 024 0957th Floor, Durack Centre263 Adelaide TerracePO Box H615Perth WA 6001 Australia

Tel: +61 8 9268 4400Fax: +61 8 9268 4488Web: www.skmconsulting.com

COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of SinclairKnight Merz Pty Ltd. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the writtenpermission of Sinclair Knight Merz constitutes an infringement of copyright.

HAMERSLEY IRONDredging Program for the Dampier Port Upgrade

Referral Document

SINCLAIR KNIGHT MERZ

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Contents

1. Introduction 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Purpose 11.3 Proponent Information 11.3.1 Proposal Title 11.3.2 Proponent Details 11.3.3 Other Approvals 21.4 Location/Locality Details 21.4.1 Locality Details 21.4.2 Land Tenure 21.4.3 Surrounding Land Use 2

2. Project Justification and Evaluation of Alternatives 72.1 Project Justification 72.2 Evaluation of Alternatives 72.2.1 Dredging 72.2.2 Spoil Disposal 92.2.2.1 Land Based Alternatives 92.2.2.2 Marine Based Alternatives 10

3. Project Description 133.1 Dampier Port Operations 133.1.1 Existing Operations 133.1.2 Proposed Port Upgrade 143.2 Proposed Dredging Program 143.2.1 Overview 143.2.2 Areas to be Dredged 143.2.3 Dredging Method 153.2.4 Spoil Disposal 233.2.5 Hours of Operation 253.2.6 Workforce 253.3 Project Schedule 253.4 Project Staging 26

4. Existing Environment 274.1 Physical Environment 274.1.1 Regional Setting 274.1.2 Climate 274.1.3 Bathymetry 304.1.4 Oceanography 30

HAMERSLEY IRONDredging Program for the Dampier Port UpgradeReferral Document


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4.1.4.1 Tides 304.1.4.2 Waves 304.1.4.3 Currents 334.1.5 Water Quality 334.1.6 Water Clarity 334.1.7 Sediments 354.1.7.1 Physical Description of the Material 364.1.8 Sediment Chemistry 384.2 Biological Environment 404.2.1 Marine Habitats 404.2.1.1 Marine Fauna 514.3 Social Environment 524.3.1 Conservation Areas 524.3.2 Commercial Fishing 524.3.3 Recreation 53

5. Environmental Impacts and Management Strategies 555.1 Introduction 555.2 Marine Ecology 555.2.1 Management Objective 555.2.2 Potential Impacts 565.2.3 Management Strategies 575.2.4 Monitoring 585.3 Hydrocarbon Management 605.3.1 Management Objective 605.3.2 Potential Impacts 605.3.3 Management Strategies 605.3.4 Monitoring 615.4 Waste Management 615.4.1 Management Objective 615.4.2 Potential Impacts 615.4.3 Management Strategies 625.4.4 Monitoring 625.5 Ballast Water and Marine Pest Management 625.5.1 Management Objective 625.5.2 Potential Impacts 625.5.3 Management Strategies 625.5.4 Monitoring 635.6 Noise 635.6.1 Management Objective 635.6.2 Potential Impacts 635.6.3 Management Strategies 64


Referral Document


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5.6.4 Monitoring 645.7 Vessel Movement Management 645.7.1 Management Objective 645.7.2 Potential Impacts 645.7.3 Management Strategies 645.8 Recreational Activities 655.8.1 Management Objectives 655.8.2 Potential Impacts 655.8.3 Management Strategies 65

6. Consultation 71

7. Proponent’s Environmental Management Commitments 797.1 Environmental Management Responsibilities 797.1.1 Proponent Responsibilities 797.1.2 Contractor Responsibilities 79

8. References 83

Appendix A Draft Dredging Management Plan 85

List of Figures

Figure 1-1 Dampier Operations – Locality Plan 5

Figure 3-1 Dredging Site Plan 17

Figure 3-2 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredge – Side and Plan Views 19

Figure 3-3 Cutter Suction Dredge – Side and Plan Views 23

Figure 4-1 Annual Wind Rose for Dampier (1999) 28

Figure 4-2 Seasonal Wind Roses for Dampier (1999) 29

Figure 4-3 Bathymetry of Dampier Port area 31

Figure 4-4 Secchi depth at several locations in King Bay 34

Figure 4-5 Turbidity profiles during March 2003 on consecutive days 35

Figure 4-6 Surface sediment particle size distribution 37

Figure 4-7 General Habitat Map of the Port of Dampier 43

Figure 4-8 Distribution of sampling sites for 2003 coral survey 47



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Figure 4-9 Distribution of hard coral in the Port of Dampier 49

Figure 4-10 Commercial fishing in the region 53

List of Tables

Table 3-1 Dredging Characteristics 15

Table 3-2 Proposed Dredging Material and Disposal Options 24

Table 3-3 Proposed Project Staging 26

Table 3-4 Proposed Dredging Works Planned for the Dampier Area 26

Table 4-1 Characteristic Water Levels at Dampier 30

Table 4-2 Sediment metal concentrations (mg/kg) 38

Table 4-3 Sediment organotin concentrations 39

Table 4-4 Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations 39

Table 4-5 Ecosystem condition classification scheme 41

Table 4-6 Hard corals found in King Bay 46

Table 4-7 Hard corals found west of Parker Point 46

Table 5-1 Proposed Dredging Monitoring Program 59

Table 5-2 Summary of Environmental Issues and Management 67

Table 6-1 List of Issues Raised by Stakeholders and Hamersley Iron’s Response 73

Table 7-1 Proponent’s Environmental Management Commitments 81


Referral Document


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1. Introduction

1.1 IntroductionHamersley Iron Pty Limited (Hamersley Iron) is one of the world’s largest exporters of iron ore.The company operates iron mine sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, together with adedicated railway and port facility in Dampier. The port, which is one of Australia’s largesttonnage ports, includes two terminals – Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

To meet the expected increase in demand for iron ore, Hamersley Iron is proposing to upgrade itsport facilities at Dampier from it’s licensed capacity of 80 Mtpa to 95 Mtpa. The upgrade isscheduled to take place over a two-year period, and will be staged to achieve the new capacity inline with expected customer demand.

An important component of the port upgrade will be to undertake a major dredging program toincrease the flexibility of ship loading operations and limit the effect that the large tidal range hason the current port operations.

1.2 PurposeThe purpose of this document is to formally refer the dredging program to the EnvironmentalProtection Authority (EPA) for setting a level of assessment under Section 38 of theEnvironmental Protection Act 1986. This document has been prepared in accordance with referralguidelines and provides the key environmental information regarding the proposal.

1.3 Proponent Information

1.3.1 Proposal TitleThe title of the proposal is “Dredging Program for the Dampier Port Upgrade”.

1.3.2 Proponent DetailsThe proponent for this proposal is:

Hamersley Iron Pty LimitedLevel 22, Central Park152 – 158 St Georges TerracePERTH WA 6837

Hamersley is a subsidiary of the international mining group Rio Tinto and is the major businessunit within Rio Tinto Iron Ore.



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The key contacts for this proposal are:

Mr Peter RoyceHamersley IronLevel 22, Central Park152 – 158 St Georges TerracePERTH WA 6837

Ph: (08) 9327 2351Fax: (08) 9327 2478Email: [email protected]

Dr Barbara BrownEnvironmental ManagerSinclair Knight Merz263 Adelaide TcePERTH WA 6000

Ph: (08) 9268 4421Fax: (08) 9268 9625Email: [email protected]

1.3.3 Other ApprovalsDisposal of the dredge spoil at sea requires approval from Environment Australia under theEnvironmental Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981. Hamersley Iron has submitted an applicationfor sea dumping to Environment Australia in July 2003; a sea dumping permit is anticipated inAugust 2003.

The proposed port upgrade is currently undergoing assessment under Section 38 of theEnvironmental Protection Act 1986. An Environmental Protection Statement (EPS) was submittedto the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in August 2003 (Sinclair Knight Merz 2003b).The scope of the EPS document specifically excluded the dredging program.

1.4 Location/Locality Details

1.4.1 Locality DetailsHamersley Iron’s Dampier Operations are located on the shores of Mermaid Sound at DampierWestern Australia (refer to Figure 1-1). The operations are situated within the Shire of Roebourne,1,300 kilometres north of Perth.

The Parker Point operations are situated to the north east of the town of Dampier and EastIntercourse Island lies to the west south west (Figure 1-1).

1.4.2 Land TenureThe area to be dredged is contained within the Hamersley Iron special lease area that wasestablished under the Iron Ore (Hamersley Range) Agreement Act 1963 as amended.

1.4.3 Surrounding Land UseThe town of Dampier lies to the south west of the Parker Point operations, with the nearestresidence located approximately 1km away (Figure 1-1). Approximately 1,300 people live in the


Referral Document



town of Dampier, which was built by Hamersley Iron in the 1960s. Dampier is no longer acompany-run town and is administered by the Shire of Roebourne.

The Dampier Salt ponds and port facilities lie to the south of Parker Point. To the north east ofParker Point on the Burrup Peninsula, there are shipping and supply base facilities at King Bay, theDampier Port Authority and the Woodside North West Shelf Venture Operations (Figure 1-1).There are a number of other industries planned for the Burrup Peninsula, construction of which willcommence from this year. The Water Corporation is also planning the construction a desalinationplant at King Bay.




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7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <7 8 8 9 : ; 9 <I M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NI M G G A NE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 DE < G 8 D

O P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U VO P Q R S T U V

E B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < HE B F G ; < H@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z@ M W A ; X 7 Y B H Z

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Proposed Methanol ComplexBy Methanex

Existing/Potential Wharf

Conservation, Heritage &Recreation Reserve

Vacant Crown Land

LEGEND

Industrial Zone

Dampier Special Lease

General Industry

Pastoral

Residential

Rail

Road

Dampier Operations - Locality Plan

$

Figure 1-1

PERTH

REGIONAL LOCATION INSERT

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Dredging Program for the Dampier Port Upgrade

0 3 6

kilometres

Vertical Datum: AHDHorizontal Datum: AGD84

Map Projection: AMG84 Zone 50Source: Department of Industry and Resources

K:\Wves\02400\Wv02442\figure3_1_v3.WOR

Sinclair Knight Merz263 Adelaide TerracePerth WA 6001Ph: (08) 9268 4400


Referral Document



2. Project Justification and Evaluation ofAlternatives

2.1 Project JustificationHamersley Iron is planning to undertake various works as part of the Dampier Port upgrade, whichwill increase tonnages shipped through the two existing port operations at Parker Point and EastIntercourse Island from a licensed capacity of 80 Mtpa to 95 Mtpa.

At present, East Intercourse Island has a berth capacity for vessels up to 250,000 DWT and ParkerPoint 180,000 DWT. To allow this increased tonnage to be shipped from the port, the berthcapacity at Parker Point needs to be increased to 220,000 DWT for two vessels.

Therefore, an important component of the port upgrade will be to undertake a major dredging(capital and maintenance) program to increase the flexibility of ship loading operations and limitthe effect that the large tidal range has on the current port operations.

The construction of new shiploading facilities at Parker Point will involve dredging to extend theexisting berth pocket at the Parker Point wharf and to create a new berth pocket on the south side ofthe wharf. A new swing basin and departure channel will be dredged to provide navigable watersfor additional berths. In addition, a new approach channel will be dredged to the north and east ofthe Parker Point wharf to allow ships to enter the berth.

The maintenance dredging program is required to remove recent siltation in the existing shippingchannel and departure channels from Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

The works will require mobilisation of suitable dredging plant from overseas involving highestablishment costs. There is currently a strong demand worldwide for dredging plant and thevolume of capital dredging alone is such that there is a risk of dredging contractors not tenderingfor the works, or not making available the most suitable plant to complete the works in a timelymanner. It is therefore proposed to include capital and maintenance dredging under the onecampaign to attract suitable dredging plant and maximise value for establishment costs.

2.2 Evaluation of Alternatives

2.2.1 DredgingThe dredging requirements and methodology are based on:

Dredging to depths to allow access for ship sizes in accordance with Hamersley Iron’sstrategic needs;

Optimisation of channel widths, manoeuvring areas and berth pocket dimension throughnavigation simulation studies;




Co-ordination of capital and maintenance dredging programs to attract suitable plant;

Maximisation of re-use of dredged material.

A number of options have been considered to identify the most environmentally sound, cost-effective and timely method of completing the dredging works.

The method of dredging and the choice of dredging equipment are determined by:

Quantity to be dredged;

Spatial extent of dredge areas;

Required dredging depths;

Dredged material properties;

Method of disposal; and

Availability of dredgers.

Materials anticipated to be encountered during the works typically comprise:

Silts and silty clays with some sands overlying;

Gravelly clay/clayey gravel with particles consisting of calcarenite, shells and rounded doleritepebbles overlying; and

Calcarenite of low to medium strength. Leaching of the calcarenite occurs in some areas andthe material removed replaced by sandy clay.

The spatial extent and nature of materials to be dredged dictates that the shortest duration and mostcost-effective method for the dredging works requires a trailer suction dredge to remove softmaterials at the surface and a cutter suction dredge to remove harder materials at deeper depths.

This will eliminate the need for double handling of dredged material and enable impacts on waterquality, especially turbidity, of the dredging and disposal operations to be confined to the smallestpracticable area over the shortest practicable duration. This differs from the dredging method usedat Dampier in 1998 and at Geraldton in 2003, in that the dredged material will be collected fromthe seabed, handled by one piece of plant only and placed directly from the dredge into the spoildisposal areas (either by bottom dumping or via floating pipeline). As such there will be nooverflow occurring from stationary equipment and therefore no accumulation of suspended floatingmaterial in a concentrated area.

A detailed description of the proposed dredging methodology and equipment is given in Section3.2.3.


Referral Document



2.2.2 Spoil DisposalThe dredge spoil disposal plan is based on maximising the disposal of material to land for re-use,however due to the lack of available area, land based alternatives will only accommodate a portion(approximately one third) of the total volume of material to be dredged.

The surface materials, such as silts and clays, estimated to amount to approximately 2 million cubicmetres, will be removed using a trailer hopper suction dredge. These materials are notgeotechnically suitable for re-use as foundation material for onshore works and will be placed inoffshore spoil grounds.

Approximately 1 million cubic metres of the deeper materials (ie. gravels, clays and calcarenite)are suitable for re-use as foundation material for onshore works and will be pumped ashore using acutter suction dredge. . All of this material will be dredged from the new berth pockets anddeparture channel in close proximity to Parker Point.

An assessment of the options for disposal of dredged material is presented in the followingsections.

2.2.2.1 Land Based AlternativesLand based spoil disposal areas have been identified behind existing seawalls on the western sideof Parker Point and behind a proposed seawall between the Service Wharf and Parker Point. Eachof these locations have the capacity to receive approximately 0.6 million cubic metres of dredgematerial.

Land disposal at Parker Point outside of these areas is impractical, as the current land area isrequired for additional iron ore stockpiles as part of the port upgrade. In addition, the topographyof existing land at Parker Point is not suitable to accommodate spoil without substantial risk oferosion back into the sea over the long term. The limited land area available and volume of spoil tobe dredged (and require disposal) would also make it impractical to meet the water quality criteriafor the decant water if all of the dredged material needed to be pumped ashore.

Onshore disposal of a portion of the dredged material immediately behind the new seawall betweenParker Point Wharf and the Service Wharf will occur following construction of the seawall.Material for the placement of the sea wall will be derived from blasting rock in advance ofconstructing additional stockpiles at Parker Point as part of the port upgrade. Gravels andcalcarenite material dredged by the cutter suction dredge will be used as material for the landreclamation works.

Gravels and calcarenite material dredged by the cutter suction dredge will also be pumped to anarea behind the existing sea wall adjacent to the Parker Point Screenhouse. Once this material issufficiently dried out and can be handled, the spoil would be loaded into trucks and transported to




construction areas that require clean fill. This option is feasible because of the high cost ofimporting clean fill from commercial sources and will negate the need to establish an on-landborrow pit that itself would have significant environmental impacts.

Any land-based alternative to marine disposal would involve pumping the dredged material ashorevia floating pipeline to the onshore disposal sites. The floating pipeline will vary in length between700m and 2,100m. Return water management would be undertaken to meet DoE water qualitycriteria.

It is estimated that 2 million cubic metres of gravels and calcarenite material will be pumped ashorefor re-use as construction fill.

2.2.2.2 Marine Based AlternativesIt is proposed to place materials not suitable for re-use as construction fill, in the onshore worksinto the designated spoil grounds adjacent to East Lewis Island. This includes overlying silts andsilty clays and materials dredged from the existing channels. It is estimated that 2 million cubicmetres of material will be placed in the offshore spoil grounds. These spoil grounds are closest inproximity to the dredge areas and have been used to place dredged material from previous dredgingcampaigns. Since the 1960’s more than 5.5 million cubic metres of dredge spoil has been placed inthe East Lewis Island spoil grounds by Hamersley Iron and an unknown amount by Dampier PortAuthority and others.

The East Lewis Spoil grounds, located between the existing shipping channel and East LewisIsland, is 5km long (north-south) and 1.5 km wide(east-west), with seabed levels varying betweenRL -4 m CD to RL -11 m CD. The eastern boundary of the spoil ground abuts East Lewis Islandand the western boundary runs along a ridge with water depths of the order of RL-5m Cd to RL-6mCD. The eastern shoreline of East Lewis Island comprises a rocky shoreline with igneous boulderslopes extending approximately 100m offshore. The seabed across the remainder of spoil groundscomprises silty sediments. A survey of the spoil grounds undertaken in May 2003 indicated theremaining capacity of the grounds is of the order of 20 million cubic metres, if filled to a finalseabed level of RL-5mCD.

The most recent dredging operation to place material in the East Lewis spoil ground occurred in1998, which involved the dredging and disposal of approximately 2.8 million cubic metres ofsimilar material. Plume dispersion modelling and field measurements in 1998 concluded that onlya small amount of finer silts and clays would be expected to settle outside the spoil groundboundary if materials are placed in an area bounded by:

600m from the northern boundary, 750m from the southern boundary, and 250m from the eastern boundary.


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Observations of spoil disposal from bottom dumping barges in 1998 showed that “the majority ofdredged material fell immediately to the seabed and the finer material was suspended and wellmixed through the water column” (Worley, 1998). Plumes generated by bottom dumping weremeasured and tracked over a 1 to 2 hour period, during which time plumes were observed to haveeffectively settled and dispersed. Typically plumes had dispersed within 400m (north-south) of thedump location, and the widths of the plumes were less than 100m (east-west). Turbiditymonitoring at the spoil ground boundaries showed no impacts outside the spoil ground boundaries.

The proposed offshore spoil disposal area has the capacity to receive approximately 5 million cubicmetres, if filled to a final seabed level of RL-5mCD. Comparisons between the post dredgingsurveys in 1998 and recent surveys undertaken in 2003 showed negligible change in the interveningperiod which indicates that the deposited material is stable.

A second designated spoil ground within Mermaid Sound (“Woodside” spoil grounds), used byDampier Port Authority, is discounted as the primary spoil ground because of the greater distancesfor the dredge to travel in order to dispose of the spoil. This increased travel time would prolongthe duration of the dredging program. In addition to economic penalties, extension of the dredgingprogram would increase the period over which environmental impacts could potentially occur. It ishowever proposed to use this alternative spoil ground for periods of time if dredging activities raiseturbidity levels in the vicinity of corals along the East Lewis Island shoreline above the triggervalues. Hamersley Iron has held discussions with Environment Australia concerning the disposalof dredged material to the Woodside site as a contingency. Environment Australia has confirmedthat they will accept an amendment of the current application to dispose of dredge spoil toincorporate disposal at the alternative site.

The Dampier Port Authority (DPA) is proposing to place the majority of dredge spoil from itsdredging campaign (totalling approximately 4 million cubic metres) into the “Woodside” spoilgrounds. A small portion of this dredge material (70,000m3) is slightly contaminated and will beplaced and capped within the East Lewis Island spoil grounds by DPA. The timing of the twoprojects is such that the DPA contaminated material is likely to be further capped by dredgematerial from the Hamersley Iron dredging works. It is envisaged that there will be some overlapof the DPA and Hamersley Iron dredging programs.


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3. Project Description

3.1 Dampier Port Operations

3.1.1 Existing OperationsThe Dampier port is one of Australia’s largest tonnage ports. The port includes two terminals –Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

Parker Point currently has one ship loading facility that is dredged to 17.2m below Chart Datum(CD) and has a berth capacity for vessels of up to 180,000 DWT. A departure channel, dredged to15.3m below CD, connects the berth to the Main Shipping Channel. The Main Channel is dredgedto 15.6m below CD.

East Intercourse Island has one ship loading facility that is dredged to 21.5m below CD and has aberth capacity for vessels of up to 250,000 DWT. East Intercourse Island also has a lay-by berthdredged to 19.5m below CD adjoining the loading berth, which provides a facility for holdingladen ships waiting for a suitable departure tide. This allows empty ships to be brought into theberth and loaded while the fully laden ship is in berth waiting for suitable tides. A departurechannel, dredged to 15.5m below CD, connects with the Main Channel.

The shipping channel was initially dredged by Hamersley Iron in 1965 to a depth of 13m. A briefreview of historical dredging undertaken for Hamersley Iron’s operations is summarised below:

1965: capital dredging of shipping channel to Parker Point (volume - 2,500,000 m3);

1968: deepening of shipping channel (1,500,000 m3);

1970-71: widening of the channel and extension of the channel to the East Intercourse Islandfacility (760,000 m3);

1981: Parker Point channel widened and deepened (400,000 m3);

1985: maintenance dredging of East Intercourse Island berth and channel (volume unknown);

1989: maintenance dredging of shipping channel (350,000 m3);

1991: maintenance dredging of East Intercourse Island berth (volume unknown);

1998: capital dredging of shipping channel (2,000,000 m3);

1998: maintenance dredging around berths (800,000 m3); and

2000: minor dredging around berths (5,000 m3).

The above dredging has been undertaken without any significant environmental impacts.




3.1.2 Proposed Port UpgradeThe proposed Dampier Port upgrade which will result in the licensed capacity of the portincreasing from 80Mtpa to 95Mtpa, has been separately referred to the EPA and is currently beingassessed at the level of “Environmental Protection Statement”. Information concerning theupgrade is presented here only to provide background to the dredging program and is in no waypart of the this referral

The majority of the works for the Dampier Port upgrade are proposed for Parker Point and includea number of facilities such as a new car dumper, rail track and an expansion of the stockyard. Theupgrade also includes the addition of a second shiploading facility at the Parker Point wharf. Thewharf will be extended by up to 500m to cater for the new berth and a new shiploader and wharfconveyor will be installed.

The port upgrade will result in the number of ship movements to the port increasing fromapproximately 500 ships per year to 690 ships per year (for both Parker Point and East IntercourseIsland). The upgrade will increase the shiploading capacity at Parker Point from one berth forvessels up to 180,000 DWT to two berths catering for vessels up to 220,000 DWT.

3.2 Proposed Dredging Program

3.2.1 OverviewThe construction of additional shiploading facilities at Parker Point will involve dredging to extendthe existing berth pocket at the Parker Point wharf and to create a new berth pocket on the southside of the wharf. A new swing basin and departure channel will be dredged to provide navigablewaters for the additional berth. In addition, a new approach channel will be dredged to the northand east of the Parker Point wharf to allow the larger ships to enter the berth when unloaded.Additional dredging will remove recent siltation in the existing shipping channel and departurechannel from Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

3.2.2 Areas to be DredgedThere are seven areas to be dredged:

Approach Channel (Area A);

Southern Swing Basin (Area B);

Southern Berth Departure Channel (Area C);

Southern Berth Pocket (Area D);

Northern Berth Pocket (Area E);

Existing Departure Channel (Area F); and

Outer Channel (Area G).


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The dredge areas are shown graphically in Figure 3-1 while the dredge location characteristics ofeach location are provided in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1 Dredging Characteristics

Locations to be DredgedParameters

A B C D E F GVolume to be dredged (m3) 580,000 270,000 1,300,000 400,000 150,000 200,000 160,000Dredge to declared depth (-mCD) 8.0 8.0 15.3 19.5 19.5 15.3 16.0Over depth allowance 0.5m 0.5m 0.5m 0.3m 0.3m 0.5m 0.5mExisting sea bed level (RL-mCD) 7.5–8.0 7.5–8.0 7.5–8.0 7.5–8.0 15.6 N/a 15.6Dredge depth below existing sea bed (m) 0.5–1.0 0.5–1.0 8.0–8.5 12.0 4.5 0.5 1.0Dredge depth below water level at MHWS 13.0 13.0 20.1 34.3 24.3 20.1 21.0Dredge depth below water level at MLWS 9.4 9.4 16.7 20.7 20.7 16.7 17.4

The minimum volume of material needed to be dredged to achieve the required depths is 2.2million cubic metres. In order to achieve the required dredge depths over the entire dredge areas itwill be necessary to dredge below the required depths. The extent of overdredging is dependent onthe material being dredged and the equipment being used. Table 3-1 includes an over depthallowance typical for the materials and type of equipment to be used for the dredging works. Theestimated upper estimate for the volume of dredging is 3,000,000 cubic metres of whichapproximately 2 million cubic metres will be placed in offshore spoil grounds and approximately 1million cubic metres will be pumped ashore.

3.2.3 Dredging MethodDredging will be undertaken using a combination of a trailer hopper suction dredge and a cuttersuction dredge. The trailer hopper suction dredge will remove the unconsolidated surfacesediments and dispose of this material at the East Lewis Island Spoil Ground. The cutter suctiondredge will operate in Areas C, D and E adjacent to the new berth at Parker Point (see Table 3-1)to remove the deeper and harder calcarenite material and pump it to the onshore spoil disposal areaat Parker Point.

Depending on the availability of dredging plant, it may also be necessary to use a barge mountedbackhoe excavator to excavate trenches along the length of the extended berth to facilitate pile-driving operations. The small volume of material excavated from the trenches would be placedinto hopper barges and disposed of at the East Lewis Island spoil ground.

c:\Data\TEMP\M0018945.dgn 15/10/2003 4:15:04 PM


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Trailer Suction Hopper DredgeTrailer suction hopper dredgers are used mainly for maintenance dredging in harbour areas andshipping channels where traffic and operating conditions preclude the use of stationary dredges.This type of dredge is particularly efficient for removal of thin layers of soft material over largeareas, such as dredging of channels. Accordingly, a trailer suction hopper dredge will be used todredge the approach and departure channels and to remove soft overlying materials from otherdredge areas.

The trailing suction hopper dredge operates much like a floating vacuum cleaner. The trailersuction hopper dredge has a hull in the shape of a conventional ship and is both highly sea worthyand able to operate without any form of mooring or spud. It is equipped with a single suction pipeor twin pipes, one on each side, equipped with dragheads (Figure 3-2).

Figure 3-2 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredge – Side and Plan Views

The dredger removes material in a series of cycles until the required dredge depth has beenachieved. A cycle consists of dredging, sailing to the disposal area, discharging the material fromthe hopper and sailing back to the dredging site. The dredge contractor will aim to remove themaximum amount of material in the shortest time for each cycle.

During the dredging stage the dredge moves forward dragheads are lowered to the seabed and aslurry of sediment and water is hydraulically lifted through the trailing pipes by one or more pumpsand discharged into a hopper contained within the hull of the dredge. The dredge sails slowly overthe area to be dredged filling its hopper as it proceeds. The time required to fill a hopper and the




actual quantity of solids in the hopper at the end of the filling process is decided by two mainfactors:

The degree of concentration of material that enters the draghead, which depends on thecharacteristics of the dredged material.

The speed of settlement of material in the hopper, which depends mainly on the grain size ofthe material.

Dredged material settles in the hopper and water is drained through a controllable hopper overflowsystem to optimise the payload of the dredge, thereby maximising the efficiency of the dredgingoperation and minimising the duration of dredging.

On completion of loading, the dredge sails to the spoil ground where its contents are discharged byopening the doors or valves in the hull of the dredge.

Whilst sailing to the disposal area, solids will settle in the hopper, leaving water at the top of thehopper with a low concentration of solids. For silts and sands, this surface water is generallypumped overboard during this sailing. With a clay material the surface water is usually retained inthe hopper and the weight of the water over the clay is used to assist in pushing it out of the hopperduring discharge.

At the disposal area the vessel will discharge its cargo by gravity dumping through bottom doors orbottom valves. With free running materials like silt, sands and gravels, the discharge can be donevery quickly, but the process takes considerably longer with clays.

Material to be removed by trailer suction hopper dredge will mostly be fine grained and thereforeduring dredging, the trailer suction hopper dredge will create turbidity. This is usually in the formof plumes originating from the following main activities of the dredger:

Using overflow system that releases material into the water column.

Using bypass system that releases material into the water column.

Propellers dislodging seabed material and mixing this into the water column.

Draghead movement mixing seabed material into the water column.

Most turbidity results from the first two activities in combination with disturbance of the seabed bypropellers. Each activity is described more fully below.

The dredge’s overflow and bypass systems are each designed to help optimise the amount of solidmaterial in the hopper within a given dredging cycle time. The overflow discharge point is usuallyat keel level. During the dredging, overflow occurs once the hopper is full with slurry but the solidcontent in the hopper has not reached its optimum. Overflow is allowed to continue as long as


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there is a marked difference between concentration of sediment at the intake point (draghead) andthe point of overflow. The duration of overflow is also influenced by the time it takes to sail to thedisposal area as a proportion of the dredge cycle. For example, if the sailing time to the disposalarea is very short it may be more economic to sail to the disposal area with only a partially loadedhopper, rather than to take extra time to try and dredge a few extra cubic metres. The use ofoverflow will be restricted to dredging of coarse materials, i.e sandy clays and gravels. Overflowwill not be permitted when dredging silts. Typically when slits are dredged, sedimentconcentrations in the intake and overflow are similar and there is no economical advantage foroverflow. When coarse materials are dredged the use of overflow techniques will enable thedredge to have greater payload for each cycle and hence will reduce the total duration of thedredging works.

Trailer dredgers are also fitted with a bypass system designed to prevent water or slurry with only asmall percentage of solids being discharged into the hopper. The bypass system is used mainly atthe commencement and conclusion of the dredging stage, when solid concentrations in the slurryare low. This includes periods when dredging is stopped and re-started, such as whenever thedredger has to turn at the end of passes during dredging. During bypass operations, a lowconcentration slurry is pumped overboard. Some trailer dredgers are equipped to discharge bypassslurry at keel level. It is in operator’s interest to keep the time for this process to a minimum,usually under a minute.

As the dredger moves, its propellers will mix into the water column material from overflow, bypassor discharge activities. In shallow draft areas the Trailer’s propellers may also create turbidity bydislodging seabed material.

When the draghead is operating, any dislodged material is quickly sucked up into it and thereforevery little turbidity is created. When the draghead is not operating, it is raised above the seabed, sono turbidity is created.

To ensure that impacts are restricted to the nominated dredging and disposal locations trailersuction hopper dredgers will be required to have Differential Global Positioning Systems on boardand vessel positions will be logged during dredging and disposal operations.

Cutter Suction DredgeCutter suction dredging will remove the harder material beneath the loose silty surface layer. Acutter suction dredger is typically a rectangular shaped pontoon. On the front it has a hinged‘ladder’ fitted with a ‘cutter head’. The ladder can be lowered so that the cutter head touches theseabed. The cutter head is a rotating mechanism fitted with pick-points or teeth to break up thematerial to be dredged. Dredged material is removed via a suction pipe that passes from the cutterhead, up the ladder and to the discharge point(s). On the back of the pontoon the cutter has spuds to




connect the pontoon to the seabed and to act as a pivot point for the cutter while slewing the cutterhead. These spuds are mounted in ‘spud carriages’. While one spud is fixed to the seabed, theother can be raised and moved forward in its carriage, then lowered and fixed to the seabed. Whenfixed to the seabed, the spuds provide a horizontal reaction force as the cutter head is pushedforward into the material being dredged.

The dredge operates by swinging about a central working spud using a mooring leading from thelower end of the ladder to anchors. By pulling on alternate sides, the dredge clears an arc of cut,and then moves forward by pushing against the working spud. The cutter breaks up hard material.As dredging proceeds, the dredge creates a ‘bench’ in the seabed. When there is no more materialto be removed from the bench, the spuds at the rear of the Cutter are used to advance the wholedredge. The process is repeated, creating new benches in the seabed until the desired seabed levelis achieved over the required area.

Cutter suction dredgers are usually not self –propelled and are towed to position at the dredgingsite. Once in position the ladder and cutter head are lowered to the seabed and the rotating cutterhead mechanism is activated. The rotation of the cutter head and pick points at the seabeddislodges seabed material and creates a slurry of seabed material and water. This slurry is suckedup by an under water pump inside the ladder near the cutter head. Slurry is pumped along thepipeline in the ladder for discharge. Further pumps in the dredge are used to pump the slurry to thedischarge point. If desired, slurry may be pumped via floating pipes to a discharge point somekilometres distant from the dredge.

During dredging with a cutter suction dredge turbidity may be caused at two points:

At the cutter head where material is cut and loosened.

At the discharge point.

The economics of dredging are greatly affected by material lost near the cutter head. Therefore theprime concern of a dredging contractor is to minimise these losses. The cutter head is designed tominimise material loss – relying on highly efficient suction and generating minimal turbidity. Highsuction near the cutter head means that most of the material loosened by the cutter head is captured.Some material may be missed and fall to the seabed below the cutter head. These losses areusually small and consist primarily of solid material.


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Figure 3-3 Cutter Suction Dredge – Side and Plan Views

A cutter suction dredge with adequate pumping power and floating pipelines can pump materialsdirectly into the Parker Point land based spoil ground. Turbidity impacts at the discharge locationis described in Section 3.2.4 below.

Backhoe DredgeA backhoe dredge may be required to excavator to excavate trenches along the length of theextended berth to facilitate pile-driving operations. The small volume of material excavated fromthe trenches would be placed into hopper barges and disposed of at the East Lewis Island spoilground. This would involve less than 1% of the total dredged volume.

3.2.4 Spoil DisposalThe following stratigraphy is typical of materials anticipated to be encountered at Parker Point inareas not previously dredged:

Silts and silty clays with some sands to a depth of the order of 3.0 m overlying;

Gravelly clay/clayey gravel with particles consisting of calcarenite, shells and rounded doleritepebbles overlying; and

Calcarenite of low to medium strength. Leaching of the calcarenite occurs in some areas andthe material removed replaced by sandy clay.

Soft surface materials, such as silts and clays, will be removed using a trailer hopper suctiondredge; whereas, the harder materials will be dredged using a cutter suction dredge and pumpeddirectly ashore via a floating pipeline. It is not proposed, and Contractors will not be permitted, topump materials from the cutter suction dredge into hopper barges alongside.




The soft surface materials will be disposed to Hamersley Iron’s spoil ground on the eastern shore ofEast Lewis Island. This process is being managed under the Environmental Protection (SeaDumping) Act 1981 through Environment Australia.

Tidal currents within the East Lewis Island spoil ground are predominantly north – south (parallelto the shoreline). Current magnitudes are of the order of 0.1 m/s during neap tides and 0.3 m/sduring spring tides.

Observations of spoil disposal from bottom dumping barges in 1998 showed that “the majority ofdredged material fell immediately to the seabed and the finer material was suspended and wellmixed through the water column” (Worley, 1998). Plumes generated by bottom dumping weremeasured and tracked over a 1 to 2 hour period, during which time fine sediments were observed tohave effectively settled and dispersed. Typically plumes had dispersed within 400m (north-south)of the dump location, and the widths of the plumes were less than 100m (east-west). Throughoutthe monitoring dredged material was observed to deposit within the spoil ground area and turbiditymonitoring at the spoil ground boundaries showed no impacts outside of these boundaries.

Table 3-2 Provides information concerning the amount and type of material to be dredged fromeach location and the proposed method of disposal.

Table 3-2 Proposed Dredging Material and Disposal Options

Area to be Dredged Volume to beDredged (m3)

Type of Material to beDredged Proposed Disposal Site

Approach Channel (Area A) 580,000 Silt, silty clays, some sands,gravelly clay/clayey gravel

East Lewis Island

Southern Swing Basin Area B) 270,000 Silt, silty clays, some sands,gravelly clay/clayey gravel

East Lewis Island

Southern Berth DepartureChannel (Area C)

1,300,000 Silt, silty clays, some sands,gravelly clay/clayey gravelCalcarenite

700,000 m3 East Lewis island600,000 m3 Onshore

Southern Berth Pocket (Area D) 400,000 Silt, silty clays, some sands,gravelly clay/clayey gravelCalcarenite

150,000 m3 East Lewis Island250,000 m3 Onshore

Northern Berth Pocket (Area E) 150,000 Calcarenite OnshoreExisting Departure Channel(Area F)

200,000 Silt, silty clays, some sands,gravelly clay/clayey gravel

East Lewis Island

Outer Channel 160,000 Silt, silty clays, some sands,gravelly clay/clayey gravel

East Lewis Island

Approximately 1 million cubic meters of material requiring removal by the cutter suction will beused as fill for land based development associated with the upgrade of the Parker Point facilities.


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The cutter suction dredge will pump dredge material ashore to the existing Parker Point Spoil Areawhere it will be settled in a series of ponds.

Dredge slurry will be pumped via floating pipeline to the onshore disposal areas. The maximumpumping distance across water (from furthest west point of new departure basin) is 2.1km.

Land disposal sites will be configured into a series of ponds to receive and contain dredge spoilslurry for sufficient time to allow the majority of fines to settle. Recent experience in dredgingcalcarenite material at Port Hedland indicated that more than 98% of sediments settled in theponds. The water resulting from the settlement of dredge slurry is termed return water. This waterwill have the majority of slurry removed by settlement or by passive filtration through geotextilelined seawalls. Return water from the land disposal area would diffuse through the seawall and asilt curtain placed at the discharge point to minimise turbidity of the return water ultimatelydischarging into the harbour waters. As the level of fill builds up in the ponds, return water willdischarge through overflow pipes into the sea adjacent to the existing sea wall. The final pond willbe fitted with an internal silt curtain to minimise turbid water discharge. The discharge area is wellprotected from prevailing wind allowing the deployment of additional silt curtains if required.

In the detailed design phase of the dredging and disposal program, the final layout of ponds will berevised to take into account the contractor’s dredging plant and work methods. In particular,consideration will be given to production rates, pumping capacity and pipe diameter proposed bythe dredging Contractor.

3.2.5 Hours of OperationDredging operations will occur 24 hours/day, 7 days per week.

3.2.6 WorkforceThe workforce will be dependent on the phase of the dredging activities. The actual size of theworkforce will not be known until the finalisation of the dredging contracts. It is anticipated thatthe workforce will be accommodated within the construction camp or existing facility at Dampieror Karratha.

3.3 Project ScheduleDredging is proposed to commence in November 2003 and continue for approximately 30 weeks.It is anticipated that dredging with a trailing hopper suction dredge will take 20 weeks and a cuttersuction dredge for 20 weeks with a 10-week overlap period. Subject to favourable operatingconditions, the dredging duration may well be less than that stated.




3.4 Project StagingDredging works are proposed to occur in sequence given in Table 3–3, subject to availability ofdredgers.

Table 3-3 Proposed Project Staging

Activity Preferred Method TimingChannel Dredging Trailer Suction Dredge & Sweep Bar November 2003 – April 2004Berth Pocket Dredging Cutter Suction Dredge February 2004 – July 2004

In addition, other dredging and dredging related works to be undertaken by Hamersley Iron,Dampier Port Authority and Woodside are planned as detailed in Table 3-4.

Table 3-4 Proposed Dredging Works Planned for the Dampier Area

Organisation Proposed Works TimingHamersley Iron High spot removal (East intercourse Island) September 2003Water Corporation Trench excavation and backfill October 2003Hamersley Iron Clearing of ore spillage under East Intercourse

Island and Parker Point wharvesNovember 2003 – December 2003

Dampier Port Authority Berth dredging November 2003 – February 2004Dampier Port Authority Channel dredging March 2004 – May 2004Woodside Trench backfilling September 2003 – October 2003


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4. Existing Environment

4.1 Physical Environment

4.1.1 Regional SettingThe Dampier operations are located on the Burrup Peninsula, on the coast of the Pilbara region inWestern Australia. The Burrup Peninsula extends north from the Dampier operations and into theDampier Archipelago, a group of 42 islands.

The area contains a rich concentration of Aboriginal rock art, particularly on the Burrup Peninsula,and has high tourism and recreation values. Major recreational activities include fishing, camping,swimming and walking.

The region is supported by the Port of Dampier, where Dampier Salt, Hamersley Iron and the NorthWest Shelf Gas Project all have their own ship loading facilities. Dampier Port is considered to beAustralia’s largest port on the basis of tonnage of cargo handled. With numerous downstreamprocessing industries planned for the Burrup, this region of Western Australia is expected tobecome a major development and export zone for the state.

4.1.2 ClimateThe Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago have a tropical-arid climate comprising of twodominant seasons; a hot summer with erratic, heavy rainfalls from October to April, and a mildwinter with occasional rains from May to September. The average annual rainfall is 261mm, andthe average annual evaporation rate is 3,440mm, exceeding rainfall by approximately 3,180mm(Bureau of Meteorology, 2003).

Dampier experiences sporadic rainfall from intense thunderstorms in summer. The period ofhighest annual rainfall occurs from January to March, and is associated with tropical cyclones anddepressions which develop to the north west of Dampier. Winter rainfall occurs as a result of thepassage of depressions across the south west of Australia, and reaches a peak during May to June,although is inconsistent and highly localised.

Annual and seasonal wind roses for the Dampier area are given in Figures 4-1 and 4-2. Windsduring winter are predominantly offshore with moderate (11km/hr to 20km/hr) to occasionallystrong (70km/hr) easterlies. Winds shift from east to south easterly in the morning to north easterlyin the afternoon, easing in the evening. During summer, westerly winds are dominant in themorning, shifting to north westerlies in the afternoon. Average wind speeds in summer are 14 to30km/hr, although gusts up to 63km/hr have been recorded.




Tropical cyclones generally penetrate the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australiabetween December and April. Winds in excess of 250km/hr, torrential rain, storm surges, largewaves and substantial movement of coastal sediments can be experienced during cyclones.Cyclonic waves and currents can damage or dislodge corals and other benthic communities andmobilise sediments, smothering marine organisms (CALM 2000).

Figure 4-1 Annual Wind Rose for Dampier (1999)


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Figure 4-2 Seasonal Wind Roses for Dampier (1999)




4.1.3 BathymetryThe bathymetry of the Dampier Port area is shown in Figure 4-3.

4.1.4 Oceanography

4.1.4.1 TidesThe tides within the Port of Dampier are moderate and semi-diurnal, with a marked daily inequalitybetween successive tidal ranges (Dampier Port Authority 1994). Tidal streams within the Port ofDampier are generally weak with a maximum rate of approximately 1 knot at spring tides (DampierPort Authority 2003). A summary of the tidal movements at Dampier is given in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1 Characteristic Water Levels at Dampier

Water State Level (m Chart Datum)Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) 5.3Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) 4.5Mean High Water Neaps (MHWN) 3.2Mean Sea Level (MSL) 2.7Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) 2.3Mean Low Water Neaps (MLWN) 1.0Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) 0.1

(adapted from Australian National Tide Tables, 2003).

4.1.4.2 WavesLong period swell waves which approach from the westerly and north-westerly sectors, arerefracted by the complex bathymetry and islands of the Dampier Archipelago and move downMermaid Sound in a southerly direction. Significant wave heights decrease as the swell progressesfrom the open ocean waters into the protected waters of the Sound. Within the southern part of theSound, waves are predominantly wind generated and are generally small (typically 0.5m in height),except under cyclonic conditions when wave heights can exceed 1.3m (LeProvost Dames & Moore1997).

Wave processes can affect marine communities by causing spatially variable sedimentation ratesand by sorting sediment fractions (CALM 2000). Suspended sediment concentrations in the watercolumn are characteristically higher in the relatively shallow near-shore regions, compared withdeeper sites further offshore. Wind and tidal stirring, combined with relatively low throughflowrates, result in re-suspension of fine sediments, which reduces light penetration through the watercolumn, and may in turn limit the growth of marine plants. The intermediate zone betweenoffshore and nearshore reefs fluctuates in water clarity depending on the seasonal variations inwind and wave action.

K:/Wves/02400\Wv02442/fig4-3.mxd

Bathymetry of the Dampier Port Area Project No. WV02442Date Drawn: 29.07.03

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Dredging Program for the Dampier Port UpgradeSinclair Knight Merz263 Adelaide TerracePO Box H615Perth WA 6001Ph: (08) 9268 4400

Figure 4-3500 0 500 1,000250

Meters


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4.1.4.3 CurrentsCurrents in the Dampier region are spatially and temporally variable due to the area’s complexbathymetry and changing tide and wind patterns (CALM 2000). Currents are driven principally bytides and wind stress. Close to the coast, flows are mainly parallel to the shore with speeds rangingfrom about 5 cm/s (neap tides) to 25 cm/s (spring tides) (CALM 2000). Within the Archipelago,flows are strongly steered by the bathymetry in and around the islands with speeds ranging from 10to 40 cm/s (CALM 2000). Net residual transport through the area is generally directed towards thenorth during summer and offshore during winter, in response to the prevailing seasonal winddirections (CALM 2000).

4.1.5 Water QualityThe water quality in King Bay and surrounding area has been investigated by Sinclair Knight Merzon behalf of the Water Corporation as part of the baseline monitoring program for the BurrupIndustrial Water Supply System. The monitoring program assessed metals, nutrients (TN, NH4,NO3-NO2, TP, PO4) chlorophyll, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygendemand, light attenuation and water column profiles (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, pH,turbidity).

The results of this monitoring has been presented in several unpublished data reports and aresummarised as follows:

Metals in the water column are generally bound to suspended solids thus total metalconcentrations (principally copper and zinc) occasionally exceed ANZECC/ARMCANZ 2000guidelines but filtered samples do not;

Nitrogen levels, in particular total nitrogen and nitrate-nitrite, in the surface and bottom watersof the area often exceed the ANZECC/ARMCANZ 2000 guidelines; however, the chlorophylllevels do not; and

The waters close to shore experience much greater extremes of temperature and salinity thanthose further offshore, particularly during summer.

4.1.6 Water ClarityThe secchi depths for a number of locations in King Bay are presented in Figure 4-4. These dataclearly show seasonal and spatial variability in water clarity. The naturally high turbidity and lightattenuation is generally higher near shore than in the offshore waters. Much of this is as a result ofwave action suspending sediments from both the seabed as well as the shoreline itself.




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Figure 4-4 Secchi depth at several locations in King BaySource: Water Corporation


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Turbidity profiles taken on consecutive days in March 2003 also show a spatial variation in waterclarity but they also show how conditions change over short time spans (Figure 4-5). In addition,the turbidity profiles show that the water clarity near the seabed is often less than that of the watercolumn.

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Figure 4-5 Turbidity profiles during March 2003 on consecutive daysSource: Water Corporation

These data indicate that the water clarity in the King Bay area are naturally turbid and variable ontemporal (daily and seasonal scales), spatially (distance from shore) and with depth in the watercolumn.

4.1.7 SedimentsA Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) was submitted and approved by Environment Australia foruse by Hamersley Iron. The objectives of the SAP were to characterise the marine sediments to beremoved as part of the dredging program and provide data for the effective management of thedredging activities.

Sediment sampling was undertaken by IRC Environment in 2003 and focused on five areas in thevicinity of Parker Point. These locations were:




Parker Point Northern Berth;

Approach to Southern Berth;

Northern Swing Basin;

Existing Parker Point Berth; and

New Approach Channel.

Like many real-life programs, Hamersley Iron’s dredging program has evolved to meet improvedinformation. In the present case, the need to dredge areas not foreseen in the initial SAP arose asthe design progressed and while sampling was in progress. Hamersley Iron considers that, withthe exception of the Outer Channel (Area G), the areas have been sufficiently sampled to providean adequate assessment of the contaminant status of the sediments to be dredged. The OuterChannel is located well to north of port facilities and it is reasonable to assume that contaminantconcentrations would be below those in the existing Departure Channel (Area F) sediments (andtherefore also below Guidelines screening levels).

A previous sediment quality survey identified many substances that were either below practicablequantification limit (PQL) levels or well below screening levels (IRC Environment 2003d). Forinstance, sediment concentrations of PCBs and phenolics, as well as the vast majority ofpolyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were not detected while antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper,lead, mercury, selenium and zinc had levels well below screening levels or PQL levels. Theseparameters were, therefore, not considered contaminants of concern and were not assessed in thesediment sampling program.

The following parameters were assessed:

Total organic carbon (TOC);

Particle size distribution;

Total Petroleum hydrocarbons;

Organotins (MBT, DBT, TBT); and

Metals and metalloids (Al, As, Cr, Co, Ni, Fe, Mn, Ag, V).

The results of the sampling program are summarised in the following sections.

4.1.7.1 Physical Description of the MaterialThe surface sediments in the Parker Point shipping channels are dominated by fine grain sizes withsignificant fractions of the material less than 38 µm in size. The surface sediments around the newberth area that has not previously been dredged and the outer channel, are dominated by mediumsilts as well as an even distribution of course silts and fine sands (<180 µm). There are generally


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only small differences between the surface and lower strata particle size distribution thus, forsimplicity, the surface data is presented in Figure 4-6. (Note logarithmic x-scale)

Materials to be dredged from the lower depths of the berth pockets comprise clayey carbonatesands, red/brown in colour and calcarenites varying from red/brown to yellow/brown in colour.Small amounts of limestone may be encountered at the extreme limits of dredging. These materialsare competent in nature with clays dense clays and cemented calcarenite interspersed with claysbeing present. These materials are similar to the material dredged in 1998 and disposed of at EastLewis Island spoil ground.

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Figure 4-6 Surface sediment particle size distribution

These materials are fundamentally different to the materials recently dredged at Geraldton, whichcomprised hard limestone with the presence of sand filled voids. The limestones at Geraldton tendto create a very fine “rock flour” when broken up by the cutter teeth, which then remains insuspension at the discharge point from the cutter dredge. In contrast the material being dredged atDampier is predominantly silts and gravely clays, with a small proportion of calcareniteinterspersed with sandy clays. The presence of clays in the calcarenite tends to bind any finematerial to form “clay balls” as the material is pumped through the pipelines to onshore disposalareas.




4.1.8 Sediment ChemistryThe sediment chemistry for the material to be dredged is provided in Table 4-2. All metalconcentrations were below screening levels with the exception of chromium and nickelconcentrations which, in the surface sediment in the Southern and Northern Berth Pockets werefound to be marginally above the screening level. This was as a result of a single sample that wasconsidered an outlier (or the result of sampling/analytical error). The sample was re-analysed on16 April 2003 with two assay replicates showing chromium concentration was 62mg/kg, nickelconcentration was 22mg/kg and the manganese concentration was 160mg/kg, and these data wereincluded in the analysis.

Table 4-2 Sediment metal concentrations (mg/kg)As Ag Co Cr Ni V Al Fe Mn

Screening Level 1 20 1.0 — 80 21 — — — —Maximum Level 2 70 3.7 — 370 52 — — — —Approach Channel0–50 cm 16 <0.1 4 55 15 8 9,837 27,956 13950–100 cm 13 <0.1 4 57 18 7 6,767 14,093 113Southern Departure Channel0–50 cm 16 0.2 4 54 15 9 12,443 19,598 15050–100 cm 16 <0.1 4 56 17 11 12,689 17,680 136Southern and Northern Berth Pockets0–50 cm 16 0.1 4 66 19 16 12,908 30,147 19550–100 cm 15 <0.1 4 52 15 11 9,624 17,560 121Existing Departure Channel0–100 cm ** 8.15 <0.1 4 46 12 32 3,675 9,025 99Outer Channel0–100 cm ** 5.1 0.8 3 39 12 26 2,600 8,250 85

Notes:1) Concentration below which toxic effects on organisms are not expected.2) Concentration at which toxic effects on organisms are probable if the contamination is biologically available.

Organotin concentrations are provided in Table 4-3. Detectable levels of TBT were recorded inthe Southern and Northern Berth Pockets, the Existing Departure Channel and the Outer Channel.At each of these locations the TBT concentrations when standardised to 1% total organic carbonwere below the screening level.


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Table 4-3 Sediment organotin concentrationsOrganotin (ng/g)

MBT DBT TBT* TOC (% w/w)

Screening Level1 5Maximum Level2 70Approach Channel0–50 cm <1 <1 <1 0.22 ± 0.0150–100 cm <1 <1 <1 0.22 ± 0.01Southern Departure Channel0–50 cm <1 <1 <1 0.25 ± 0.0150–100 cm <1 <1 <1 0.24 ± 0.01Southern and Northern Berth Pockets0–50 cm <1 <1 3.3 0.27 ± 0.0150–100 cm <1 <1 <1 0.28 ± 0.02Existing Departure Channel0–100 cm3 5 2 1 0.31 ± 0.05Outer Channel0–100 cm3 4 1 2 0.17 ± 0.01

Notes:1) Concentration below which toxic effects on organisms are not expected.2) Concentration at which toxic effects on organisms are probable if the contamination is biologically available.3) Tributyltin values standardised to 1% TOC.

The TRH of sediment samples from areas to be dredged are provided in Table 4-4. Hydrocarbonsin the C15-C36 molecular size range were detected in surface sediments at the Southern andNorthern Berth Pockets in a single sample and in sediments from the Outer Channel but were atlow levels.

Table 4-4 Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations

TRH C6–C9 TRH C10–C14 TRH C15–C28 TRH C29–C36Approach Channel0–50 cm <5 <2 15 2450–100 cm <5 <2 <5 <10Southern Departure Channel0–50 cm <5 <2 <5 <1050–100 cm <5 <2 <5 <10Southern and Northern Berth Pockets0–50 cm <5 <2 <5 (1 sample = 6) <1050–100 cm <5 <2 <5 <10Existing Departure Channel0–100 cm ** <5 <10Outer Channel0–100 cm ** <10 11

Notes:1) Values expressed as 95% UCL in mg/kg except where indicated by ** indicating individual values.




4.2 Biological Environment4.2.1 Marine HabitatsThe benthic marine habitat within the Port of Dampier is presented in Figure 4-7 and consistspredominantly of the following three community groups (CALM 2000):

Soft sediment (silt and sand);

Macroalgae on hard substrate; and

Hard coral on hard substrate.

Several marine surveys and desktop studies have been undertaken by Environmental ContractingServices (Environmental Contracting Services 1995) and IRC Environment (2001, 2003a, b, c) todefine the benthic habitats in the vicinity of Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

These surveys have found a well developed hard coral community between the service wharf andthe Parker Point shiploading wharf. The coral comprised approximately one hectare of diversecorals with a percentage cover of the seabed of 10%. The dominant hard coral families wereDendrophyllidae, Agariciidae, Favidae and Acroporidae. These hard coral families arepredominantly foliose or massive growth forms; however, there were some branching andencrusting forms present. The rest of the benthic community is comprised of approximately 3.5hectares of rock lining the southern end of the bay while the remainder is soft silt or sand (IRCEnvironment 2003a). No data are available for the infauna near Parker Point; however, King Bayhas a depauperate community comprised of low species richness and low abundance (SinclairKnight Merz 2003a).

At East Intercourse Island there are also well developed hard coral communities. The percentagecover varies from 60–70% on the eastern shoreline to sparse massive corals on the northernshoreline. The diversity of hard coral is high and is characterised by the genera Pavona, Monitpora,Turbinaria, Favia, Acropora, Fungia, Herpolitha, Pocillopora and Porites (EnvironmentalContracting Services 1995, 1998). The remaining habitat at East Intercourse Island is dominatedby soft sediment (silt, sand or mud flats) and small patches of macroalgae or soft corals on hardsubstrate. The soft sediment substrates of East Intercourse Island support very few biota.

The naturally high turbidity in the region limits benthic primary producers such as macroalgae(IRC Environment 2003b); however, the marine survey undertaken in 2000 by IRC Environment(2001) of eight sites across Mermaid Sound and Dampier Port found no evidence of coralbleaching or coral stress caused by sedimentation. Coral abundance ranged from 20 to 60% ofseabed composition along various offshore transects, and from 14 to 40% amongst nearshore sites.All coral appeared healthy. Macroalgae and turf microalgae are relatively sparse, although acommunity dominated by the brown alga Sargassum was found 800m north of the wharf on EastIntercourse Island.


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The more recent marine surveys undertaken by IRC Environment in 2002 and 2003 (IRCEnvironment 2003a and b) undertook evaluations of ecosystem integrity. The ecological status ofthe three main habitat types in locations surrounding Hamersley Iron’s operations were evaluatedutilising the classification system derived from ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) (see Table 4-5) forassessing Dampier marine habitats.

Table 4-5 Ecosystem condition classification scheme

Ecosystem Condition DescriptionEffectively unmodified Areas where ecological integrity is effectively intact.Slightly to moderatelydisturbed.

Areas where ecological integrity has been adversely affected to a relatively smallbut measurable degree by human activity. Biological communities remain in ahealthy condition and the original ecosystem integrity is largely retained.

Highly disturbed Areas where ecological integrity has been measurably degraded by human activity.Biological communities are unhealthy and the original ecosystem integrity has beenundermined.

Source: IRC Environment (2003b).

The surveys concluded that areas along the mainland shore in close proximity to Hamersley Iron’sDampier operations are highly disturbed. These areas were identified as:

Between the East Intercourse and East Mid-intercourse Island causeways;

Within Hampton Harbour and the areas east of the East Intercourse Island causeway;

Variable disturbance around Parker Point; and

Around the East Intercourse Island iron ore load-out wharf.

K:/Wves/02400\Wv02442/fig5_4_v2.mxd

General Habitat Map of the Port of Dampier Project No. WV02442Date Drawn: 29.07.03


Figure 4.7

Source: CALM 2000


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The classification of disturbance at these sites was based on:

Observed high water turbidity;

Lower diversity and abundance of biota compared with reference sites;

Observed stress in terms of sedimentation; and

Evidence of anthropogenic wastes such as cooling water from the power station and rubbish.

Surveyed sites close to the Parker Point loadout wharf and wastewater outlet were also highlydisturbed. Sites located offshore (to the west) were generally unmodified. Nearshore referenceareas around Tidepole Island also showed slight to moderate disturbances as a result ofsedimentation, coral bleaching and mortality. Coral bleaching was also detected at a reference siteat East Lewis Island, where human influences would not be expected to cause bleaching,suggesting that bleaching may be a natural occurrence. Sites amongst the Dampier Archipelagoand offshore areas of the Dampier Port were found to be unmodified.

In July 2003 a broad-scale subtidal survey was undertaken by Sinclair Knight Merz to quantify thespatial extent of hard coral similar to that found in the area between Parker Point and the servicewharf. The study area included the southern shore of King Bay east of the service wharf and theregion between the East Intercourse Island causeway and Parker Point. Actual sampling locationsinspected for coral are shown in Figure 4-8.

King BayHard coral cover along the southern shoreline of King Bay is comprised of an assemblage ofseveral genera (see Table 4-6). The corals occur on hard substrate in small to large patches with anaverage percentage cover (visual) between 5 and 50%. The distribution of the hard coral cover ispresented as a pink shading in Figure 4-9 and comprises approximately 43.5 hectares. Coral coverwith a percentage cover greater than 10% was generally distributed in a broad band extending fromthe Parker Point service wharf eastwards and is bounded by the 4 m of water depth contour and theshoreline.

The distribution and abundance of subtidal hard corals in King Bay is limited by the followingthree main factors:

The availability of hard substrate for attachment;

Depth less than 4 m (Chart Datum) due to light attenuation of naturally high turbidity;

Temperature and salinity extremes which increase towards shore at the eastern end of KingBay; and

Depth less then the tidal range.




Table 4-6 Hard corals found in King BayFamily Genus AbundanceDendrophylliidae Turbinaria DominantFaviidae Goniastrea AbundantAgariciidae Pavona CommonMussidae Lobophyllia CommonPoritidae Porites CommonAcroporidae Acropora and Montipora SparseFungiidae Fungia SparseOculinidae Galaxea SparsePectiniidae Oxypora and Pectinia Sparse

Parker Point to East Intercourse Island CausewayHard coral cover from Parker Point to the East Intercourse Island causeway is comprised of anassemblage of less genera than that found in King Bay (see Table 4-7). The corals occur on hardsubstrate in small patches with an average percentage cover (visual) between 5 and 20%. Thedistribution of the hard coral cover is presented as pink shading in Figure 4-9 and comprisesapproximately 22.9 hectares. Coral cover with a percentage cover greater than 10% was found atthe following locations:

The northern end of Tidepole Island;

Around Boat Rock; and

Either side of the Public Boat Ramp.

Table 4-7 Hard corals found west of Parker Point

Family Genus AbundanceDendrophylliidae Turbinaria DominantFaviidae Goniastrea AbundantAgariciidae Pavona CommonMussidae Lobophyllia CommonAcroporidae Acropora and Montipora Sparse


Distribution of hard coral in the Port of Dampier Project No. WV02442Date Drawn: 29.07.03

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Figure 4-8

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Distribution of hard coral in the Port of Dampier Project No. WV02442Date Drawn: 29.07.03

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Figure 4-9

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4.2.1.1 Marine FaunaMarine mammals recorded within Mermaid Sound are Dugong (Dugong dugon), Humpback Whale(Megaptera novaehollandiae), False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Bottlenose Dolphin(Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and Risso’s Dolphin(Crompids griseus).

Whales migrate along the Western Australian coast, travelling south in summer and north, towardsthe tropics in winter. Discussions with Environment Australia indicated that tracked whales enterMermaid Sound very infrequently, rather they pass through the area on the outside of theArchipelago. The Humpback Whale is listed as a vulnerable species and a migratory species underthe EPBC Act 1999, and have special protection under the Western Australian WildlifeConservation Act 1950 where they are described as “rare or likely to become extinct.”

The dugong is listed under “other specially protected fauna” in Schedule 4 of the WildlifeConservation Act 1950, and although not currently listed under Commonwealth legislation, it islisted as “vulnerable to extinction” at a global scale by the World Conservation Union. Currentknowledge on the size, distribution and migratory habits of dugong populations within the DampierArchipelago is limited. However, dugong have been observed grazing in many of the shallow baysand in areas between islands, but are unlikely to occur around Parker Point or near operatingvessels due to their sensitivity to noise.

The four species of turtle known to nest in the greater Dampier Archipelago area are the Green(Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Flatback (Natator depressus) andLoggerhead (Caretta caretta). Green, flatback and hawksbill turtles are listed as “vulnerable”under the EPBC Act and the loggerhead is listed as “endangered” under the Act. Under WesternAustralian legislation all four turtles are listed as “fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct”under schedule 1 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially protected Fauna) Notice 1999 under theWildlife Conservation Act. The Dampier Archipelago provides important habitat for marineturtles, particularly the offshore islands where there are significant nesting beaches; these arelocated well away from the area of operation

Twelve species of sea snake have also been found in the Dampier Archipelago, with the Olive SeaSnake (Aipysurus laevis) being the most common.

Sixteen species of sea and shore birds are known to breed on the islands of the DampierArchipelago.




4.3 Social Environment

4.3.1 Conservation AreasSome of the islands of the Dampier Archipelago are contained within nature reserves for theprotection of flora and fauna and are managed under the Dampier Archipelago Nature ReservesManagement Plan 1999 – 2000 (CALM 1990). Other islands within the area, including East LewisIsland are reserves for conservation and recreation. It is proposed to include these islands in thereview of the current Dampier Archipelago Nature Reserves Management Plan (CALM 2002).

The surrounding waters of the Dampier Archipelago are the subject of the proposed DampierArchipelago/ Cape Preston Marine Conservation Reserve, which is currently with the Minister forthe Environment. It will be released for public review within the next few months. The DampierPort area and the East Lewis Island spoil disposal area will be excluded within the finalised marinepark.

4.3.2 Commercial FishingThe major commercial fishing activities in the Dampier Region are prawn and finfish trawling,trapping and wet lining and pearling. None of these activities take place in the vicinity of the areasto be dredged. Commercial fishing areas and aquaculture leases are found outside of the port asshown in Figure 4-10. The nearest commercial fishery potentially impacted by the proposeddredging program is WA South Sera Pearls . The operations occupy 136ha on the western face ofWest Lewis Island compared to the spoil ground which is located to the east of East Lewis Island.


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Figure 4-10 Commercial fishing in the region

4.3.3 RecreationThe waters and islands of the Dampier Archipelago provide opportunities for land and sea-basedrecreational pursuits. Local boat ownership is very high and recreational fishing is popular, as arediving, snorkelling, surface water sports and wildlife viewing. Typically, such activities occuramongst the islands of the Dampier Archipelago, away from Dampier and the proposed dredgingactivities.

Fishers target coral and sub-tidal rocky reefs offshore and make use of the artificial habitat createdby the North Rankin A Gas Pipeline in Mermaid Sound. Sites close to boat launching access southof the Dampier Power Station are also frequented. Some line fishing occurs to the east and north ofthe spoil ground at East Lewis Island. However, fishers traditionally avoid the shipping laneswithin the Port of Dampier and there are numerous coastal line fishing areas within sailing distanceof the launching facilities at Dampier, to that will not be impacted by dredging operations.

The Department of Transport has designated a water skiing area along the south-eastern edge ofEast Intercourse Island which is well away from the proposed dredging. Similarly, it is unlikelythat an 8 knot speed restricted and boating prohibited area which has been established south west of




Foul Point on the edge of Dampier to protect swimmers, will be impacted by the dredgingoperations. The areas are approximately 3 km from the nearest dredging activities.

The social value of the eastern shoreline of East Lewis Island is considered limited as most visitorsutilise the northern shore which is more protected during both summer and winter (LSC1989).


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5. Environmental Impacts and ManagementStrategies

5.1 IntroductionThe following section outlines the potential environmental impacts that may result from thedredging program. The following potential impacts on the marine environment have beenidentified:

Release of contaminants;

Increased turbidity;

Decreased water quality (DO, pH);

Hydrocarbon spills;

Waste disposal 9solid and liquid);

Introduction of marine pests; and decreased public amenity due to noise levels.

In addition potential impacts to port operations and recreational vessel users need to be managedand minimised.

To ensure that these impacts are addressed and that the activities associated with the dredgingprogram are managed to minimise any impacts, management objectives and strategies have beendeveloped and are detailed below for each environmental factor. To ensure that the managementstrategies are fulfilled and implemented, a number of management commitments have also beenmade by Hamersley Iron.

A Dredging Management Plan (DMP) (see Appendix A) has been developed to ensure that theenvironmental impacts are minimised and that any management strategies or commitments detailedin this document are met. The monitoring program and contingency plans developed as part of theDredging Management Plan will ensure that any excessive turbidity is identified within areasonable timeframe and steps are taken to ensure that these events do not impact upon the marineenvironment. Hamersley Iron is committed to implementing this plan and will ensure that theturbidity problems experienced with other recent dredging program do not occur in this program.

5.2 Marine Ecology

5.2.1 Management ObjectiveMaintain the integrity, ecological functions and environmental values of the seabed and nearshoreareas.




5.2.2 Potential ImpactsTypically, the two main impacts of dredging on water quality are related to the release ofcontaminants and the effects of turbidity that may impact on light-requiring marine species.

As indicated in Section 4.1.7, the sediments to be dredged show contamination concentrations wellbelow screening levels and hence the impacts of dredging and disposal of spoil are unlikely to leadto any contamination of the area. The most likely impact from dredging will be the effect ofturbidity on corals. Decreased light penetration has the potential to adversely affect the nearshorecoral communities in the area as many are hermatypic species that rely on light for survival. Thenatural turbidity of the area limits coral distribution to the nearshore waters in depths less than fourmetres (chart datum). Significant turbidity loads could smother the corals reducing their ability tofeed and to respire. In addition, if the dredging program spans the autumn coral spawning season,the recruitment potential of the area could be reduced.

Past disposal at the East Lewis Spoil Ground from dredging at Hamersley Iron’s port facilities hasbeen monitored and the findings are:

Modelling and measurement of disposal plume dispersal (Dredging and Contracting RotterdamB.V. 1998) has found that:

- Measured plumes are typically less than 400m long and 100m wide at the spoil grounds;

- Spring tides can disperse particles up to 1.5 km;

- Neap tides can disperse particles up to 0.5 km;

- Only a small proportion of material would be expected to disperse outside the spoilground boundaries; and

- No impacts were measured outside the boundaries of the spoil grounds..

Plume tracking confirmed that dispersion was predominantly parallel to the shoreline of EastLewis Island (LeProvost Environmental Consultants 1990);

Coral assemblages were found to have a light cover of fine sediment post-dumping but afterseven months monitoring showed the corals to be in a healthy condition at the East LewisIsland spoil ground (LeProvost Environmental Consultants 1990); and

Coral adjacent to the spoil ground showed only marginal change between pre- and postdisposal compared to reference locations (Environmental Contracting Services 1998).

Recent monitoring at Port Hedland during capital dredging in similar substrates with a cuttersuction dredge that disposed of spoil to shore indicated:

Turbidity at a distance of 500 m down current of the operating dredge did not exceed thereference location 500 m up current at any time during the 3–4 month program;


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Turbidity at a distance of 100m from the return water discharge was less than the trigger value(1.5 time the turbidity at the reference location) on all occasions; and

Contaminants were contained within the reclamation area.

Recent monitoring at the Port of Fremantle during maintenance dredging of fine silts with a trailersuction hopper dredge that disposed of spoil to shore indicated:

Over a one month period, turbidity was limited to within 200 m of the dredge;

When turbidity exceeded the trigger value (2 times background of 200 m upstream), thecontingency plan effectively allowed the continuation of dredging without lengthy stoppages;

Turbidity was limited to within 200 m of the return water discharge area.; and

Contaminants were contained within the reclamation area.

It is therefore considered that based on previous experience by Hamersley Iron (with dredgingprograms conducted within the Dampier Archipelago) and Sinclair Knight Merz with similardredging programs, the potential impacts arising from increased turbidity, can be readily managedas demonstrated above.

There is a minor risk that marine wildlife such as dugong, whales and turtles may be vulnerable toinjuries from increased boating activity generated by the dredging programme. Although dugongsmay occur from time to time in Mermaid Sound, it is unlikely that they occur around the ParkerPoint wharf area as noise deters them from entering busy areas. So there is little risk of directimpacts. Whales have been known to investigate sources of noise, however, it is unlikely thatwhales will enter as far into in Mermaid Sound as Parker Point and East Lewis Island. It isproposed to reduce the potential risk of direct impacts on marine fauna, it is proposed to have a“spotter on board” to maintain a look out for dugongs, whales, turtles etc. In the event that dugongsare sighted within near distance to the dredge or dredge hopper prior to start-up each day, start upwill be delayed until the animal is sufficiently far away as not to be at risk from vessel movement.

5.2.3 Management StrategiesA dredging management plan (DMP) will be implemented for the project to provide the necessaryframework such that the dredging program can be implemented efficiently and with minimalenvironmental impact. The objectives of the DMP are:

To identify potential impacts related to dredging program; To ensure minimal impact on the Port of Dampier and surrounding environment from

dredging; To monitor so that environmental effects are detected as early as possible; To have in place the appropriate contingencies to effectively mitigate impacts upon detection;

and To report the progress and any environmental issues promptly to the DoE and the Dampier

Port Authority.




A draft DMP for the project is given in Appendix A.

The most effective means of minimising turbidity is to select the most appropriate work methodand perform the works in the shortest duration.

Particular strategies that will be undertaken to minimise turbidity from the dredging programinclude:

Turbidity will be minimised by using appropriate dredging methods. In particular materialdredged using a cutter suction dredge will be pumped directly to land disposal areas via afloating pipeline.

The spatial extent of the channel dredging is large, which will allow a trailer suction dredge torelocate to alternative areas in the event turbidity levels build up during the works.

Disposal in the East Lewis Island spoil ground will be restricted to a smaller, defined areawithin the overall limits of the spoil ground to minimise turbidity levels beyond the boundariesof the spoil ground. Alternate spoil grounds will be used if turbidity levels are raised forextended periods of time at the spoil ground boundary.

Dredged material will not be double handled. To minimise turbidity when dredging hardmaterial it is not proposed, and Contractors will not be permitted to pump slurry from thecutter suction dredge into hopper barges alongside.

Overflow of trailer suction hopper dredgers will not be permitted for silty materials. Therelease of overflow water shall be as deep as possible to minimise surface plumes.

Washing out of hoppers of trailer suction hopper dredgers and barges will only be permittedwhile such vessels are within the boundaries of the offshore dredge disposal area.

Self propelled dredging plant will be equipped with DGPS and track logging equipment toensure dredging and disposal activities are restricted to the nominated areas.

Return water from the land disposal ponds will have the majority of slurry removed bysettlement or by passive filtration through geotextile lined seawalls to minimise turbid waterdischarge. Additional silt curtains will be deployed if turbidity levels at the discharge pipesare raised for extended periods of time.

Dredging will cease during coral spawning if turbidity levels are elevated in the period leadingup to spawning.

5.2.4 MonitoringMonitoring of dredging and disposal (Parker Point Spoil Area and at the East Lewis Spoil Ground)will be undertaken as outlined in Table 5-1. A detailed description of these monitoring programsis given in Section 3.6 of the Draft Dredging Management Plan (Appendix A).


Referral Document



Table 5-1 Proposed Dredging Monitoring Program

Program Objective ParameterMonitored Location Frequency

Turbidity DO, pH,tide level/ cycle,wind speed/direction, currentspeed/ direction

Boundary of a down-currentcoral site (northern end ofTidepole Island and in KingBay east of the ServiceWharf) and at an up-currentreference location.

During daylight hours at midtidal flow (ebb and flow); and

As required if excessiveturbidity is observed duringthe operation

DredgingReactiveMonitoringProgram

To detect potentialimpacts and triggerreactive measures tominimise and mitigatetheir effects.

Leaks frompipelines orconnections ofcutter suctiondredge

At all pipe connections,including booster pumps ifrequired, along the length ofthe pipe.

During start-up and prior tocompletion of dredgingoperations each day,

Upon movement of thecutter suction dredge; and

Routinely throughout theday.

Dredging EffectsMonitoringProgram

Assess the effects ofthe dredging programon corals in the vicinityof Parker Point.

Changes in coralcover over time.Observations ofsedimentaccumulation on thecoral assemblages.

Near the Tidepole Island andKing Bay shorelines and atreference locations.

Just prior to thecommencement of dredging;

During dredging operations; Soon after the cessation of

dredging; and Six months after completion

of the dredging programDisposalReactiveMonitoring at theParker PointSpoil Area


Turbidity, DO, pH,tide level/ cycle,wind speed/direction, currentspeed/ direction

Boundary of a down-currentcoral site (northern end ofTidepole Island and in KingBay east of the ServiceWharf) and at an up-currentreference location.


As directed if excessiveturbidity is observed duringdischarge.

DisposalReactiveMonitoring at theEast Lewis SpoilGround


Turbidity, DO, pH,tide level/ cycle,wind speed/direction, currentspeed/ direction

Boundary of sensitive coralsites along the easternshoreline of East LewisIsland and at two referencelocations.


As directed if excessiveturbidity is observed duringdischarge.

That minimalencroachment ofplumes onto the EastLewis Island shorelinehas occurred.

Observations ofdredge plumedispersal , tidelevel/ cycle, windspeed/ direction,current speed/direction

500 m down current from thespoil ground and at to tworeference locations(separated by at least 100m)500m up-current

Assess the effects ofthe dredging programon corals on the EastLewis Islandshoreline.

Changes in coralcover over time.

Near the East Lewis Islandshoreline and at referencelocations.

Just prior to thecommencement of dredging;

During spoil disposaloperations;

Soon after the cessation ofspoil disposal; and

Six months after completionof the dredging program.

Disposal EffectsMonitoring at theEast Lewis SpoilGround

Spoil disposal haspreferentially takenplace within thedeeper parts of thedisposal area and thatspoil material has notformed features abovethe surroundingseabed.

Bathymetric surveyto evaluate changesin the seafloorbathymetry.

Spoil ground Completion of the dredgingprogram.




5.3 Hydrocarbon Management

5.3.1 Management ObjectiveEnsure hydrocarbons are handled and stored in a manner that minimises the potential for impacton the environment through leaks, spills and emergency situations.

5.3.2 Potential ImpactsLarge quantities of diesel fuel, oil, grease and some chemicals are handled on a regular basis duringall dredging operations. The handling of hydrocarbons creates a potential risk to the environmentin the event that spillage occurs. These spills may lead to the contamination of marine water withinthe vicinity of the spill and potential damage to intertidal marine habitats causing mortality ofsensitive biota. Oil spills in the Dampier region have the potential of washing ashore intonearshore habitats of King Bay, Mermaid Sound and wider Dampier Archipelago due to the tidalnature of the region.

The main areas of risk during the dredging operation are:

Refuelling of the dredge (bunkering);

Storage and handling of oils, grease and chemicals; and

Breakdown of grease on moving parts such as the cutter ladder and spud carriage.

5.3.3 Management StrategiesRefuellingRefuelling of the dredge will be carried out in a manner approved by the Dampier Port Authority(DPA). DPA currently permits fuel bunkering only to be undertaken while tied up alongside aberth. The chance of an oil spill under these circumstances is minimal. During all fuel transfersthe Master of the vessel is responsible for directing and controlling the operation and all crew.

The following mitigation procedures will be used to reduce the risks to as low as reasonablypossible:

Work instruction will be prepared to provide guidelines for all staff and crew to ensure thepotential risk is kept to a minimum.

A project specific Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) will be prepared by the dredgingcontractor in consultation with the DPA.

Refuelling will only take place under favourable wind and sea conditions. The fuel level in the tanks will be monitored during refuelling in order to avoid overflow. The dredge will have a spill kit on board (oil booms, absorbent pads and oil dispersing

detergents) ready for prompt response in the unlikely event of a spill. The Master of the vessel will be responsible for reporting any spill of fuel, oil or chemicals to

the marine environment and for ensuring spill equipment is deployed in a timely and effectivemanner if required.


Referral Document



Storage of Oils, Grease and ChemicalsThe bulk of all oil and grease will be stored in storage tanks on the dredge and drums will be storedbelow deck whenever possible. All chemicals, detergents etc will be stored below deck in theappropriate holds.

Hydrocarbons located above deck will be stored within bunded areas to contain any leaks or spills.Spill response kits will be located in close proximity to storage areas for prompt response in theevent of a spill or leak.

Breakdown of Grease on Moving PartsGrease is commonly used to lubricate cutter shafts and spud carriages and these parts are in contactwith the water. Consequently there is the risk of small amounts of grease discharged into thewater. This will be mitigated by the following measures:

Work instruction will be prepared to provide guidelines for all crew to ensure the potential fordischarge is kept to a minimum.

Automatic greasing mechanisms will be monitored to minimise grease consumption withoutaffecting functionality of moving parts.

Where possible, biodegradable greases will be used.

The dredge will have scoops/nets on board ready to collect any grease discharged into thewater.

5.3.4 MonitoringRegular inspections of the hydrocarbon storage and handling areas will be undertaken to ensurethat hydrocarbon products are being managed in an appropriate manner and that no spillages orleaks have occurred.

5.4 Waste Management

5.4.1 Management ObjectiveEnsure that the generation of waste is minimised and that any waste products produced arehandled and disposed of in an acceptable manner.

5.4.2 Potential ImpactsIf not handled correctly, solid waste and sewage produced during the dredging program has thepotential to contaminate marine, ground and surface waters, impact upon marine fauna and pose arisk to human health.




5.4.3 Management StrategiesSolid WastesDomestic rubbish produced on the dredge and support vessels will be collected and disposed of onland to the Karratha Shire Tip. Empty oil and chemical containers such as metal or plastic drumswill be returned to the supplier for reuse or recycled where possible. Absorbent material used toclean up minor oil or chemical spills will be disposed of appropriately as contaminated material.

Sewage WasteSewage from toilets at the shore facilities will be disposed to the appropriate sewerage system or toa sullage tank then removed by a licensed contractor. Sewage from the dredge and support vesselswill be collected and pumped out and disposed to an appropriate disposal facility by a licensedcontractor. No sewage from the dredge or support vessels will be disposed to the marineenvironment while operating in the Port.

5.4.4 MonitoringRegular inspections of the waste management areas will be undertaken to ensure that wasteproducts are being managed in an appropriate manner.

5.5 Ballast Water and Marine Pest Management

5.5.1 Management ObjectiveEnsure that the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and Dampier Port Authorityguidelines and Mandatory Ballast Water Management Arrangements are complied with.

5.5.2 Potential ImpactsBallast water from coastal areas in other parts of Australia or overseas has the potential to introducemarine pest species that may impact upon the marine communities of Mermaid Sound and the wideDampier Archipelago. Marine pest species can be transported within ballast water or on ship hulls.Large populations of marine pest species are capable of invading new ecosystems, disturbing theecological balance of existing marine communities and potentially impacting on recreational andcommercial fisheries and aquaculture.

5.5.3 Management StrategiesAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and DPA guidelines and Mandatory BallastWater Management Arrangements will be followed. These guidelines and Arrangements require(as a minimum):

Accurate reporting to AQIS regarding ballast water arrangements;

Mandatory access to safe onboard ballast sampling points;


Referral Document



If required, undertaking exchange and/or other treatment/management options as directed byAQIS prior to discharge of ballast water in Australian waters;

No discharge of ballast water within Australian water without prior written permission from aQuarantine Officer; and

Completion of an ‘audit and advice procedure’ as stated in the Port of Dampier EnvironmentalManagement Plan which ensures that the vessel has been accepted by AQIS, ballast waterexchange has occurred at sea remote from coastal influences and a record of the time andposition of re-ballasting is kept.

Should the dredge or support vessels be brought in from outside Australian waters then they willalso comply with the Australian Quarantine Regulations 2000. All vessels engaged in the dredgingprogram whose last port is overseas based will be inspected prior to departure for Dampier. Thisinspection will certify that the vessel is clean and contains no muds or other material that mayintroduce pests into Australian waters.

The hull of the dredge will be clean and free of attached organisms prior to being brought intoDampier. All internal compartments and associated dredge pipelines and fittings that come incontact with dredge spoil will have been cleaned and thoroughly flushed through with cleanseawater prior to arrival. The dredge will be inspected upon arrival and if found to containevidence of material from previous dredging it will be sent offshore for flushing (outside 12nautical mile limit and in water depth of at least 200 m).

Any pipelines or fittings found to contain evidence of dredge material will be taken ashore andcleaned using high pressure water hoses. The effluent will be prevented from entering drains orfrom discharging into the water.

5.5.4 MonitoringAll vessels involved in the project will be monitored for compliance with the above requirements.

5.6 Noise

5.6.1 Management ObjectiveEnsure that the noise levels from the dredging works comply with statutory requirements andacceptable standards.

5.6.2 Potential ImpactsLimited noise data is available for noise emissions from dredges, however it is anticipated thatbased on previous dredging programs conducted by Hamersley Iron, noise from the dredges willnot be a major contributor to noise levels within the town of Dampier. Hamersley Iron received nonoise complaints during previous dredging programs. Most of the dredging works will take place




some distance offshore and the town of Dampier should be sufficiently far away from the dredgeoperation such that noise levels received in the town will be almost inaudible.

5.6.3 Management StrategiesNoise from the dredges will be reduced wherever possible.

5.6.4 MonitoringIf complaints in relation to noise from the dredging operations are received on Hamersley Iron’sexisting complaints hotline, the complaint will be investigated and the identified cause of the noiseexamined to determine whether any action can be taken.

Occupational noise surveys may be undertaken on the dredge during the dredging operation.

5.7 Vessel Movement Management

5.7.1 Management ObjectiveEnsure that the dredging works does not result in any interference with commercial shippingvessels and that possible collisions with other vessels are avoided.

5.7.2 Potential ImpactsHamersley Iron’s Parker Point Wharf and East Intercourse Island Facilities are used regularly forloading vessels with iron ore. In addition, commercial vessel movements to and from the DampierSalt Wharf on Mistaken Island and other areas within the Port of Dampier occur. There are also anumber of recreational vessels used within the area. Potential impacts include interference withother vessels by the dredges and in extreme cases, collision with other vessels.

5.7.3 Management StrategiesCollision PreventionPrevention of collision with vessels including tugs and iron ore carriers servicing other berths in thePort will be the main objective of planning the dredging schedule. The DPA will issue Notices toMariners prior to commencement of the dredging. Incoming vessels will be made aware of thelocation of the dredge and any obstructions such as floating or submerged pipes, anchoring cables,piles and support vessels by the DPA. The dredge will be required to give shipping priority.Collision prevention procedures will be discussed between the dredge operator, Hamersley Ironand the DPA.

Scheduling and CommunicationsDampier wharfs are actively used for loading vessels. The dredging operations will, therefore, bescheduled to work in with vessel movements. The intention will be to conduct dredging of theberthing pocket of the wharf during periods when no vessels are scheduled to be berthing or


Referral Document



departing. The dredge and support vessels will maintain radio contact with Hamersley Iron and theDPA so they can be kept informed of planned shipping movements and can inform Hamersley Ironand the DPA of planned dredge position and support vessel movements.

5.8 Recreational Activities

5.8.1 Management ObjectivesEnsure that dredging does not unduly interfere with recreational activities and public boatingamenity.

5.8.2 Potential ImpactsThe dredging works are mainly restricted to existing navigation channels and berthing areas. Theseareas are prohibited to recreational craft and therefore impacts should be minimal.

5.8.3 Management StrategiesNotices to Mariners will be issued in conjunction with DPA advising of the location and extent ofdredging works.

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with

Envi

ronm

enta

lQ

ualit

y C

riter

iade

fined

in A

ustra

liaan

d N

ew Z

eala

ndW

ater

Qua

lity

Gui

delin

es (A

NZE

CC

2000

)

W

ater

Qua

lity

in th

e ar

ea o

f the

dred

ging

pro

gram

is g

ener

ally

high

.

Nat

ural

wat

er tu

rbid

ity v

arie

sdu

ring

the

year

as

a re

sult

ofw

ind

and

wav

e ac

tion.

Se

dim

ents

to b

e dr

edge

d sh

owco

ntam

inat

ion

conc

entra

tions

wel

l bel

ow s

cree

ning

leve

ls.

Dre

dgin

g pr

ogra

m w

illre

sult

in a

tem

pora

ry,

loca

lised

incr

ease

intu

rbid

ity d

own

stre

amof

dre

dges

.

Tu

rbid

ity w

ill be

min

imis

ed b

y us

ing

appr

opria

tedr

edgi

ng m

etho

ds.

Tu

rbid

wat

er d

isch

arge

from

land

dis

posa

l will

bem

inim

ised

thro

ugh

settl

emen

t pon

ds, o

r filt

ratio

nth

roug

h ge

otex

tile

lined

sea

wal

ls.

An

ext

ensi

ve m

onito

ring

prog

ram

will

beim

plem

ente

d w

ith a

ppro

pria

te c

ontin

genc

y pl

ans

iftri

gger

val

ues

are

exce

eded

.

The

dred

ging

prog

ram

is u

nlik

ely

to h

ave

asi

gnifi

cant

long

term

adv

erse

impa

ct o

n th

e w

ater

qual

ity in

Mer

mai

dSo

und.

Hyd

roca

rbon

Man

agem

ent

Ensu

re h

ydro

carb

ons

are

hand

led

and

stor

ed in

a m

anne

rth

at m

inim

ises

the

pote

ntia

l for

impa

cton

the

envi

ronm

ent

thro

ugh

leak

s, s

pills

and

emer

genc

ysi

tuat

ions

.

Th

ere

is n

o of

fsho

re re

fuel

ling

occu

rring

at t

he D

ampi

er P

ort.

O

il sp

ills a

re c

urre

ntly

man

aged

thro

ugh

the

Port

of D

ampi

erM

arie

Pol

lutio

n C

ontin

genc

yPl

an.

Ex

istin

g st

anda

rd o

pera

ting

proc

edur

es a

re in

pla

ce to

prev

ent s

pilla

ge d

urin

g re

fuel

ling

at th

e w

harf.

Larg

e qu

antit

ies

ofdi

esel

fuel

, oil,

gre

ase

and

som

e ch

emic

als

will

be h

andl

ed d

urin

gth

e dr

edgi

ngop

erat

ions

, whi

chcr

eate

s a

pote

ntia

l ris

kto

the

envi

ronm

ent i

nth

e ev

ent t

hat s

pilla

geoc

curs

. Th

ese

spills

may

lead

to th

e

A

proj

ect s

peci

fic O

il Sp

ill C

ontin

genc

y Pl

an w

ill be

prep

ared

in c

onsu

ltatio

n w

ith D

PA a

ndim

plem

ente

d by

the

cont

ract

or.

Ap

prop

riate

sto

rage

of o

ils, g

reas

e an

d ch

emic

als.

Low

risk

of o

il or

fuel

spi

ll an

dre

spon

ses

are

effic

ient

in th

eun

likel

y ca

se o

f asp

ill ev

ent.

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

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anag

emen

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\R71

rjbar

i.doc

PAGE

69

Envi

ronm

enta

lFa

ctor

Man

agem

ent

Obj

ectiv

eEx

istin

g En

viro

nmen

tPo

tent

ial I

mpa

cts

Man

agem

ent S

trat

egie

sPr

edic

ted

Out

com

eco

ntam

inat

ion

ofm

arin

e w

ater

with

in th

evi

cini

ty o

f the

spi

ll an

dpo

tent

ial d

amag

e to

inte

rtida

l mar

ine

habi

tats

cau

sing

mor

talit

y of

sen

sitiv

ebi

ota.

The

pote

ntia

l for

fuel

or

oil s

pilla

ge d

urin

gdr

edgi

ng o

pera

tions

are:

Ref

uellin

g of

the

dred

ge;

St

orag

e an

dha

ndlin

g of

oils

,gr

ease

and

chem

ical

s; a

nd

Brea

kdow

n of

grea

se o

n m

ovin

gpa

rts s

uch

as th

ecu

tter l

adde

r and

spud

car

riage

.Li

quid

and

Solid

Was

teD

ispo

sal

Ensu

re th

at th

ege

nera

tion

of w

aste

is m

inim

ised

and

that

any

was

te p

rodu

cts

prod

uced

are

hand

led

and

disp

osed

of i

n an

acce

ptab

le m

anne

r.

Was

te g

ener

ated

with

in th

e D

ampi

erar

ea g

oes

to th

e Ka

rrath

a la

ndfil

l.If

not h

andl

ed c

orre

ctly

,so

lid w

aste

and

sew

age

prod

uced

durin

g th

e dr

edgi

ngpr

ogra

m h

as th

epo

tent

ial t

oco

ntam

inat

e m

arin

e,gr

ound

and

sur

face

wat

ers,

impa

ct u

pon

mar

ine

faun

a an

d po

sea

risk

to h

uman

hea

lth.

Al

l sol

id w

aste

will

be c

olle

cted

and

dis

pose

d at

asu

itabl

e si

te.

Se

wag

e fro

m d

redg

e an

d su

ppor

t ves

sels

will

beco

llect

ed a

nd d

ispo

sed

to a

n ap

prop

riate

dis

posa

lfa

cilit

y by

a li

cens

ed c

ontra

ctor

.

Solid

and

liqu

idw

aste

s w

ill ha

vene

glig

ible

impa

cton

the

envi

ronm

ent.

Noi

seEn

sure

that

the

nois

eC

urre

nt s

ourc

es o

f noi

se in

clud

e:D

redg

ing

and

Noi

se fr

om d

redg

es w

ill be

redu

ced

whe

reve

r pos

sibl

e.N

o ad

vers

e no

ise

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

SINC

LAIR

KNI

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70I:\W

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ep03

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dging

Man

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lan\R

71rjb

ari.d

oc

Envi

ronm

enta

lFa

ctor

Man

agem

ent

Obj

ectiv

eEx

istin

g En

viro

nmen

tPo

tent

ial I

mpa

cts

Man

agem

ent S

trat

egie

sPr

edic

ted

Out

com

ele

vels

from

the

dred

ging

wor

ksco

mpl

y w

ith s

tatu

tory

requ

irem

ents

and

acce

ptab

lest

anda

rds.

M

ovem

ent o

f ves

sels

in a

nd o

utof

the

Port;

Iro

n O

re b

ulki

ng H

andl

ing

oper

atio

ns b

y H

amer

sley

Iron

;

Mov

emen

t of i

ron

ore

train

s in

and

out o

f por

t fac

ilitie

s.

recl

amat

ion

activ

ities

are

pote

ntia

l sou

rces

of

nois

e. M

ost o

f the

dred

ging

wor

ks w

illta

ke p

lace

som

edi

stan

ce o

ffsho

re a

ndth

e to

wn

of D

ampi

ersh

ould

be

suffi

cien

tlyfa

r aw

ay fr

om th

edr

edge

ope

ratio

n su

chth

at n

oise

leve

lsre

ceiv

ed in

the

tow

nw

ill be

alm

ost

inau

dibl

e.

impa

cts

are

antic

ipat

ed a

s a

resu

lt of

the

dred

ging

pro

gram

.

SOC

IAL

SUR

RO

UN

DIN

GS

Com

mer

cial

Vess

elM

ovem

ent

Man

agem

ent

Ensu

re th

at th

edr

edgi

ng w

orks

doe

sno

t res

ult i

n an

yin

terfe

renc

e w

ithco

mm

erci

al s

hipp

ing

vess

els

and

that

poss

ible

col

lisio

nsw

ith o

ther

ves

sels

are

avoi

ded.

Cur

rent

shi

p m

ovem

ents

with

in th

eD

ampi

er P

ort i

nclu

de:

Ve

ssel

s lo

adin

g iro

n or

e at

the

Park

er P

oint

Wha

rf an

d Ea

stIn

terc

ours

e fa

cilit

ies;

Ve

ssel

s ac

cess

ing

the

Salt

Wha

rf on

Mis

take

n Is

land

;

Vess

els

acce

ssin

g th

eW

oods

ide

Supp

ly B

ase;

LN

G ta

nker

s fro

m th

e W

oods

ide

faci

lity;

and

recr

eatio

nal v

esse

ls;

and

R

ecre

atio

nal v

esse

ls a

roun

dD

ampi

er a

nd th

e D

ampi

erAr

chip

elag

o.

Pote

ntia

l im

pact

sin

clud

e in

terfe

renc

ew

ith o

ther

ves

sels

by

the

dred

ges

and

inex

trem

e ca

ses,

collis

ion

with

oth

erve

ssel

s.

D

redg

ing

will

be s

ched

uled

to w

ork

in w

ith v

esse

lm

ovem

ents

.

The

DPA

will

issu

e N

otic

es to

Mar

iner

s pr

ior t

oco

mm

ence

men

t of d

redg

ing.

Th

e dr

edge

and

sup

port

vess

els

will

mai

ntai

n ra

dio

cont

act w

ith H

amer

sley

Iron

and

the

DPA

so

they

can

be k

ept i

nfor

med

of p

lann

ed s

hipp

ing

mov

emen

ts a

nd c

an in

form

Ham

ersl

ey Ir

on a

nd th

eD

PA o

f pla

nned

dre

dge

posi

tion

and

supp

ort v

esse

lm

ovem

ents

.

No

adve

rse

impa

cts

on v

esse

lm

ovem

ents

are

antic

ipat

ed a

s a

resu

lt of

the

dred

ging

pro

gram

.


Referral Document



6. ConsultationHamersley Iron has undertaken an extensive community and stakeholder consultation program forthe Dampier Port Upgrade. This consultation program involved meetings, briefings andcommunity displays, and involved various stakeholders including:

Government Departments and Agencies;

Local Community;

Local indigenous community;

Local Hamersley Iron workforce; and

Relevant politicians.

Although the scope of the Dampier Port Upgrade does not include the maintenance and capitaldredging works, reference to the proposed dredging programme was made during the communityand stakeholder consultation program. Any issues that were raised with respect to the dredgingworks were addressed.

For the maintenance and capital works program, Hamersley Iron specifically consulted with:

Dampier Port Authority;

Department of Environment;

Environment Australia; and

Robin Chapple MLC – Greens Party.

Mention and brief discussion of the broad dredging and sea dumping programs has also beenundertaken with representatives of the Conservation Council of Western Australia.

The dredging works were also discussed with the Shire of Roebourne representative at theworkshop held with local stakeholders to discuss the Dampier Upgrade.

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

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am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

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Refe

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ocum

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\WV0

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redg

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anag

emen

t Plan

\R71

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i.doc

PAGE

73

Ta

ble

6-1

List

of I

ssue

s R

aise

d by

Sta

keho

lder

s an

d H

amer

sley

Iron

’s R

espo

nse

Stak

ehol

der

Issu

eR

espo

nse

Ref

eren

ce to

Rel

evan

t Sec

tion

ofR

efer

ral D

ocum

ent

Dep

artm

ent o

fEn

viro

nmen

t(M

arin

e Br

anch

and

Eval

uatio

ns)

Wha

t are

the

diffe

renc

es b

etw

een

Ger

aldt

on v

s D

ampi

er c

alca

reni

tes

At th

is s

tage

it h

as n

ot b

een

poss

ible

to a

cces

s in

form

atio

n co

ncer

ning

the

natu

re o

f the

Ger

aldt

on c

alca

reni

tes.

Nee

d to

incl

ude

prac

ticab

le a

nd a

chie

vabl

ean

d en

forc

eabl

e m

anag

emen

t opt

ions

.Th

e D

redg

ing

Man

agem

ent P

lan

prov

ides

a v

ery

deta

iled

man

agem

ent,

mon

itorin

g an

d re

porti

ng a

ppro

ach

to e

nsur

e th

at a

ny p

oten

tial i

mpa

cts

are

min

imis

ed.

The

Dre

dgin

g an

d D

ispo

sal C

ontin

genc

y Pl

ans

incl

ude

clea

r,pr

actic

able

and

ach

ieva

ble

optio

ns if

exc

essi

ve tu

rbid

ity o

r una

ccep

tabl

een

viro

nmen

tal i

mpa

cts

occu

r as

a re

sult

of th

e dr

edgi

ng.

Dre

dgin

gM

anag

emen

t Pla

n,Se

ctio

n 3

Pote

ntia

l im

pact

s ne

ed to

be

clea

rlyde

linea

ted,

with

app

ropr

iate

per

form

ance

mea

sure

and

effe

ctiv

e m

onito

ring

and

man

agem

ent a

ppro

ach.

Wha

t con

tinge

ncie

s ar

e pr

actic

able

and

wha

t is

likel

y?

This

is d

ocum

ente

d in

Ref

erra

l Doc

umen

t and

the

Dre

dgin

g M

anag

emen

t Pla

n.Th

e D

redg

ing

Man

agem

ent P

lan

clea

rly d

escr

ibes

the

mon

itorin

g pr

ogra

mm

ean

d ap

prop

riate

trig

ger v

alue

s to

be

impl

emen

ted

durin

g th

e dr

edgi

ng a

nddi

spos

al a

ctiv

ities

.Al

l con

tinge

ncie

s pr

esen

ted

are

view

ed a

s be

ing

prac

ticab

le s

olut

ions

if th

em

onito

ring

prog

ram

me

dete

cts

and

exce

eden

ce o

f a tr

igge

r val

ue.

Dre

dgin

gM

anag

emen

t Pla

n,Se

ctio

n 3.

6

Wha

t will

be th

e ar

eal e

xten

t of p

oten

tial

impa

ct?

Past

dis

posa

l at t

he E

ast L

ewis

Spo

il G

roun

d fro

m d

redg

ing

at H

amer

sley

Iron

’spo

rt fa

cilit

ies

has

indi

cate

d th

at th

e di

spos

al p

lum

e ca

n be

exp

ecte

d to

be

disp

erse

d up

to 1

.5 k

m d

urin

g sp

ring

tides

and

ther

efor

e on

ly a

ver

y sm

all

porti

on o

f mat

eria

l wou

ld d

ispe

rse

outs

ide

the

spoi

l gro

und

boun

darie

s.R

ecen

t mon

itorin

g at

Por

t Hed

land

dur

ing

capi

tal d

redg

ing

in s

imila

r sub

stra

tes

with

a c

utte

r suc

tion

dred

ge in

dica

ted

that

turb

idity

at a

dis

tanc

e of

500

m d

own

curre

nt o

f the

ope

ratin

g dr

edge

did

not

exc

eed

the

refe

renc

e lo

catio

n 50

0m u

pcu

rrent

at a

ny ti

me

durin

g th

e 3-

4 m

onth

pro

gram

me.

Sect

ion

5.2.

2

Inte

ract

ion

with

DPA

dre

dgin

g pr

ogra

mm

eH

amer

sley

has

lias

ed w

ith th

e D

PA a

nd it

s co

nsul

tant

s on

sev

eral

occ

asio

ns to

seek

com

mon

ality

in g

ener

al a

ppro

ache

s. T

he a

mou

nt o

f util

isat

ion

of th

e Ea

stLe

wis

Isla

nd s

poil

grou

nd b

y th

e D

PA w

ill be

min

imal

com

pare

d to

Ham

ersl

eysp

oil d

ispo

sal.

The

dred

ging

are

as a

re s

uffic

ient

ly d

ista

nt th

at w

hen

com

bine

dw

ith ti

des,

sho

uld

redu

ce th

e ris

k of

sig

nific

ant i

nter

actio

n be

twee

n th

e tw

odr

edgi

ng p

rogr

ams.

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

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ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

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Ref

eren

ce to

Rel

evan

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tion

ofR

efer

ral D

ocum

ent

Perfo

rman

ce m

easu

re fo

r cor

al p

rote

ctio

nIn

lieu

of a

regu

lato

ry g

uide

line

to p

rote

ct c

oral

from

the

impa

ct o

f exc

essi

vetu

rbid

ity, a

trig

ger v

alue

of t

wic

e th

e ba

ckgr

ound

tubi

dity

val

ue h

as b

een

chos

enin

acc

orda

nce

with

AN

ZEC

C/A

RM

CAN

Z (2

000)

Figu

re 3

of D

redg

ing

Man

agem

ent P

lan

Is E

ast L

ewis

a C

ALM

Res

erve

and

if s

ow

hat a

re th

e ra

mifi

catio

ns?

East

Lew

is Is

land

is v

este

d as

a 5

(g) r

eser

ve fo

r con

serv

atio

n an

d re

crea

tion

with

the

Nat

iona

l Par

ks a

nd N

atur

e C

onse

rvat

ion

Auth

ority

und

er th

e C

ALM

Act

.Th

e pu

rpos

e of

5(g

) res

erve

s is

nor

mal

ly re

late

d to

recr

eatio

n, a

nd th

eco

nser

vatio

n of

wild

life

and

hist

oric

al fe

atur

es.

Tenu

re e

xten

ds to

the

low

wat

erm

ark.

The

pro

pose

d D

ampi

er M

arin

e Pa

rk d

oes

not i

nclu

de th

e Po

rt of

Dam

pier

.As

the

disp

osal

of s

poil

is to

occ

ur to

the

east

of E

ast L

ewis

Isla

nd, i

t is

antic

ipat

ed th

at th

ere

will

be n

o im

pact

on

the

isla

nd fr

om a

con

serv

atio

n or

recr

eatio

n pe

rspe

ctiv

e.N

eed

a su

mm

ary

tabl

e gi

ving

wha

t mat

eria

lis

com

ing

from

whe

re a

nd w

here

it is

goi

ng.

Sect

ion

3.2.

4, T

able

3-2.

Due

to d

ugon

gs a

nd tu

rtles

, the

re m

ay b

e a

requ

irem

ent t

o re

fer t

he p

roje

ct to

EA

unde

r the

EPB

C A

ct.

Alth

ough

a n

umbe

r of p

rote

cted

mar

ine

rept

iles

and

mam

mal

s ar

e fo

und

with

inth

e D

ampi

er A

rchi

pela

go, n

one

are

depe

nden

t upo

n th

e co

ast a

djac

ent t

odr

edgi

ng o

pera

tions

, and

man

y fe

ed in

are

as w

ell a

way

from

Par

ker P

oint

.Th

eref

ore,

it is

con

side

red

that

the

dred

ging

act

iviti

es a

re n

ot a

con

trolle

d ac

tion

unde

r the

EPB

C A

ct.

The

disp

osal

of t

he d

redg

e sp

oil h

as b

een

refe

rred

to E

Aun

der t

he E

nviro

nmen

tal P

rote

ctio

n (S

ea D

umpi

ng) A

ct 1

981.

If E

A ha

dco

ncer

ns w

ith re

spec

t to

the

effe

ct o

f dre

dgin

g on

dug

ongs

and

turtl

es, t

hey

coul

d re

ques

t tha

t the

pro

ject

be

refe

rred.

Sect

ion

1.3.

3, 4

.2.1

.1an

d 5.

2.2

Dam

pier

Por

tAu

thor

ityLo

catio

n of

dre

dge

spoi

l dum

ping

The

disp

osal

of t

he d

redg

e sp

oil i

s th

e su

bjec

t of a

sep

arat

e re

ferra

l to

Envi

ronm

ent A

ustra

lia a

nd D

oE.

The

disp

osal

mec

hani

sm a

nd s

ite w

ill be

depe

nden

t upo

n di

scus

sion

s w

ith th

e re

gula

tory

aut

horit

ies,

and

has

not

bee

nfin

alis

ed.

Dis

cuss

ions

will

be h

eld

with

the

Dam

pier

Por

t Aut

horit

y ab

out t

hedr

edge

spo

il di

spos

al.

Sect

ion

4.6.

3

Wha

t is

the

dred

ging

pro

gram

goi

ng to

be?

The

capi

tal d

redg

ing

prog

ram

invo

lves

the

dred

ging

aro

und

the

Park

er P

oint

berth

, est

ablis

hmen

t of a

new

ber

th, a

new

turn

ing

basi

n, s

ome

chan

ges

to th

eea

ster

n ap

proa

ch c

hann

el a

nd a

new

ber

th.

Sect

ion

4.6.

3

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

SINC

LAIR

KNI

GHT

MERZ

I:\WVE

S\Pr

ojects

\WV0

2442

\Rep

03_0

2.10\D

redg

ing M

anag

emen

t Plan

\R71

rjbar

i.doc

PAGE

75

Stak

ehol

der

Issu

eR

espo

nse

Ref

eren

ce to

Rel

evan

t Sec

tion

ofR

efer

ral D

ocum

ent

Actio

n le

vels

for t

urbi

dity

Ham

ersl

ey h

as a

dopt

ed a

n ac

tion

leve

l of t

wic

e th

e m

ean

turb

idity

leve

l of

back

grou

nd re

fere

nce

poin

t as

mea

sure

d on

the

sam

e da

y. T

his

appl

ies

to b

oth

dred

ging

and

spo

il di

spos

al. S

poil

disp

osal

als

o in

clud

es <

90%

sat

urat

ion

and

pH o

utsi

de ra

nge

of 7

.5 a

nd 8

.5.

Figu

re 3

of D

redg

ing

Man

agem

ent P

lan

Man

agem

ent o

f sed

imen

t with

hig

h TB

Tle

vels

Area

that

had

hig

h TB

T le

vels

(exi

stin

g be

rth p

ocke

t) is

no

long

er g

oing

to b

edr

edge

d.Se

ctio

n 4.

1.8

Like

ly p

rese

nce

of w

hale

s in

the

gene

ral

area

Dis

cuss

ions

with

EA

offic

ers

cam

e to

agr

eem

ent t

hat w

hale

s w

ere

unlik

ely

tooc

cur a

s fa

r sou

th in

Mer

mai

d So

und

as P

arke

r Poi

nt a

nd E

ast L

ewis

Isla

nd.

Sect

ion

4.2.

1.1

Appr

oval

pro

cess

requ

irem

ents

Req

uire

men

ts fo

r ass

essm

ent b

y En

viro

nmen

t Aus

tralia

wer

e ou

tline

d

Cur

rent

Ham

ersl

ey p

ort o

pera

tions

Site

vis

it in

Mar

ch 2

003

show

ed E

A of

ficer

s cu

rrent

por

t act

iviti

es a

nd s

ites

to b

edr

edge

d an

d w

here

spo

il gr

ound

s w

ere

loca

ted.

Envi

ronm

ent

Aust

ralia

Sele

ctio

n of

site

s fo

r dis

posa

lEa

st L

ewis

Isla

nd s

poil

grou

nd is

the

nom

inat

ed s

poil

grou

nd. R

ecen

tam

endm

ents

to d

redg

ing

appr

oach

invo

lves

the

poss

ible

use

of t

he ‘W

oods

ide’

spoi

l gro

und

as a

con

tinge

ncy

in th

e ev

ent t

hat t

urbi

dity

trig

ger l

evel

s (2

xba

ckgr

ound

) is

not m

et a

nd im

plem

enta

tion

of s

peci

fied

man

agem

ent a

ctio

nm

easu

res

cann

ot re

ctify

the

situ

atio

n.

Sect

ion

3.6.

1.5

ofD

redg

ing

Man

agem

ent P

lan

Ensu

re th

at th

e ha

rdne

ss o

f roc

k(c

alca

reni

te) i

s no

t und

eres

timat

edH

amer

sley

Iron

has

und

erta

ken

dred

ging

with

in th

e Po

rt of

Dam

pier

at n

umer

ous

occa

sion

s si

nce

1965

. Th

ese

dred

ging

act

iviti

es h

ave

incl

uded

the

rem

oval

of

calc

aren

ite m

ater

ial.

All

dred

ging

has

bee

n un

derta

ken

with

out a

ny s

igni

fican

ten

viro

nmen

tal i

mpa

cts.

Sect

ion

3.1.

1, 5

.2.2

Con

serv

atio

nC

ounc

il of

WA

Nee

d to

ens

ure

effe

ctiv

e an

d re

-act

ive

mon

itorin

g is

und

erta

ken

The

Dre

dgin

g M

anag

emen

t Pla

n pr

ovid

es a

ver

y de

taile

d m

anag

emen

t,m

onito

ring

and

repo

rting

app

roac

h to

ens

ure

that

any

pot

entia

l im

pact

s ar

em

inim

ised

. Th

e D

redg

ing

and

Dis

posa

l Con

tinge

ncy

Plan

s in

clud

e cl

ear,

prac

ticab

le a

nd a

chie

vabl

e op

tions

if e

xces

sive

turb

idity

or u

nacc

epta

ble

envi

ronm

enta

l im

pact

s oc

cur a

s a

resu

lt of

the

dred

ging

.

Dre

dgin

gM

anag

emen

t Pla

n,Se

ctio

n 3

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

SINC

LAIR

KNI

GHT

MERZ

PAGE

76I:\W

VES\

Proje

cts\W

V024

42\R

ep03

_02.1

0\Dre

dging

Man

agem

ent P

lan\R

71rjb

ari.d

oc

Stak

ehol

der

Issu

eR

espo

nse

Ref

eren

ce to

Rel

evan

t Sec

tion

ofR

efer

ral D

ocum

ent

Loca

tion

and

natu

re o

f spo

il gr

ound

Spoi

l gro

und

will

be th

e ex

istin

g Ea

st L

ewis

Isla

nd s

poil

grou

nd, b

ut a

nom

inat

edco

ntin

genc

y sp

oil g

roun

d w

ill be

the

‘Woo

dsid

e’ s

poil

grou

nd.

Sect

ion

3.2.

4R

obin

Cha

pple

Area

s to

be

dred

ged

Appr

oach

cha

nnel

to P

arke

r Poi

nt (f

or u

nloa

ded

ship

s), s

outh

ern

swin

g ba

sin,

sout

hern

ber

th d

epar

ture

cha

nnel

, sou

ther

n be

rth p

ocke

t, no

rther

n be

rth p

ocke

t,ex

istin

g de

partu

re c

hann

el a

nd o

uter

cha

nnel

. All

dred

ging

are

as, e

xcep

t the

oute

r cha

nnel

dre

dgin

g ar

ea, a

re fo

cuse

d ar

ound

the

Park

er P

oint

are

a.

Sect

ion

3.2.

2Fi

gure

3-1

Effe

cts,

if a

ny, o

n se

agra

ss a

nd o

ther

mar

ine

aspe

cts

No

seag

rass

occ

urs

arou

nd th

e dr

edgi

ng o

r spo

il di

spos

al a

reas

.C

oral

s ex

ist t

o th

e ea

st o

f the

mai

n dr

edge

are

a to

war

d Ki

ng B

ay a

nd b

etw

een

the

Park

er P

oint

wha

rf an

d Se

rvic

e W

harf.

Oth

er c

oral

als

o oc

curs

on

the

north

ern

end

of T

idep

ole

Isla

nd, t

he e

xist

ing

Dam

pier

Boa

t Ram

p an

d Bo

atR

ock.

Som

e co

ral a

lso

occu

rs n

ear E

ast L

ewis

Isla

nd th

at h

ave

been

mon

itore

dw

ith e

ach

spoi

l dis

posa

l pro

gram

.

Figu

re 4

-8,

Sect

ion

4.2.

1

Dur

atio

n/tim

ing

of d

redg

ing

prog

ram

30 w

eeks

, with

the

traile

r hop

per s

uctio

n dr

edge

taki

ng 2

0 w

eeks

and

the

cutte

rsu

ctio

n dr

edge

for 2

0 w

eeks

, with

a 1

0 w

eek

over

lap.

Sub

ject

to fa

vour

able

oper

atin

g co

nditi

ons,

the

dred

ging

dur

atio

n m

ay w

ell b

e le

ss th

an th

at s

tate

d.

Sect

ion

3.3

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

SINC

LAIR

KNI

GHT

MERZ

I:\WVE

S\Pr

ojects

\WV0

2442

\Rep

03_0

2.10\D

redg

ing M

anag

emen

t Plan

\R71

rjbar

i.doc

PAGE

77

Stak

ehol

der

Issu

eR

espo

nse

Ref

eren

ce to

Rel

evan

t Sec

tion

ofR

efer

ral D

ocum

ent

Cop

ies

of th

eR

efer

ral D

ocum

ent

(and

Sea

Dum

ping

appl

icat

ion)

to s

eek

com

men

ts w

ere

issu

ed o

n 27

Augu

st 2

003

to:

Dep

artm

ent f

orPl

anni

ng a

ndIn

frast

ruct

ure

Dam

pier

Por

tAu

thor

ityC

onse

rvat

ion

Cou

ncil

of W

AD

epar

tmen

t of

Con

serv

atio

n an

dLa

nd M

anag

emen

tD

epar

tmen

t of

Envi

ronm

ent

Fish

erie

s W

este

rnAu

stra

liaAu

stra

lian

Hyd

rogr

aphi

c O

ffice

Aust

ralia

n M

ariti

me

Safe

ty A

utho

rity

Aust

ralia

n Fi

sher

ies

Man

agem

ent

Auth

ority

No

issu

es o

r res

pons

es re

ceiv

ed y

et.

Com

men

ts re

ques

ted

back

by

10Se

ptem

ber 2

003

and

thes

e w

ill be

forw

arde

d to

Env

ironm

ent A

ustra

lia.

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

SINC

LAIR

KNI

GHT

MERZ

PAGE

78I:\W

VES\

Proje

cts\W

V024

42\R

ep03

_02.1

0\Dre

dging

Man

agem

ent P

lan\R

71rjb

ari.d

oc

This

pag

e ha

s bee

n le

ft bl

ank

inte

ntio

nally

.


Referral Document



7. Proponent’s Environmental ManagementCommitments

Hamersley Iron is committed to achieving or exceeding a level of environmental managementperformance consistent with national and international standards and statutory obligations. Theproposed dredging program will be conducted in a manner that will minimise impacts on thesurrounding environment. Accordingly, environment management strategies and commitmentshave been nominated throughout this document and are summarised in Table 7-1.

7.1 Environmental Management Responsibilities

7.1.1 Proponent ResponsibilitiesHamersley Iron takes a responsible and pro-active response to the environmental management ofits activities. To this end its environmental responsibilities with respect to the dredging programwill include:

Obtaining relevant approvals and permits to undertake the dredging works;

Advising Dredging Contractors of significant environmental issues;

Appointing and managing suitably qualified Dredging Contractors;

Ensuring Dredging Contractors meet the obligations outlined in the Dredge Management Plan;

Undertaking monitoring and reporting on the effects of dredging and spoil disposal onsignificant environmental issues, e.g. corals.

7.1.2 Contractor ResponsibilitiesThe environmental management responsibilities of the appointed Dredging Contractor relate to thespecific dredging works and include:

Complying with the relevant legislation, regulations and approval conditions;

Complying with the requirements of the Dredge Management Plan;

Compliance with Dampier Port Authority requirements, including DPA’s Marine PollutionPlan, Cyclone Policy, Emergency Plan, etc;

Undertaking monitoring and other environmental management activities as specified in itscontract with Hamersley Iron;

Ensuring a full time Environmental Officer is engaged throughout the project;

Ensuring dredging equipment is in good condition and properly maintained for the duration ofthe works;

Taking all reasonable measures to protect the environment in and around the site and mitigateand/or protect the environment against impacts of the Works resulting from turbidity plumes




and reduced water quality; storage and handling of hydrocarbons and chemicals; waste andsewage disposal; and Air quality, noise and odour;

Disposal off site of all rubbish, debris, scrap metals and redundant gear and the like, includingimplementation of a recycling program to minimise disposal to land fill.

In the event of any non-compliance with the Dredge Management Plan or breach of legislativerequirements in respect of the environment the Dredging Contractor is obliged to report the typeand extent of such non-conformance. The Contract allows for suspension of dredging operationsuntil any and all deficiencies are addressed and corrected by the Contractor.

HAME

RSLE

Y IR

ONDr

edgi

ng P

rogr

am fo

r the

Dam

pier

Por

t Upg

rade

Refe

rral D

ocum

ent

SINC

LAIR

KNI

GHT

MERZ

I:\WVE

S\Pr

ojects

\WV0

2442

\Rep

03_0

2.10\D

redg

ing M

anag

emen

t Plan

\R71

rjbar

i.doc

PAGE

81

Ta

ble

7-1

Prop

onen

t’s E

nviro

nmen

tal M

anag

emen

t Com

mitm

ents

Com

mitm

ent

No

Topi

cAc

tion

Obj

ectiv

eTi

min

gAd

vice

Ham

ersl

ey Ir

on w

ill pr

epar

e a

Dre

dge

Man

agem

ent P

lan

toad

dres

s th

e fo

llow

ing:

Pr

oduc

e a

deta

iled

desc

riptio

n of

pro

pose

d dr

edgi

ng w

orks

and

timin

g;

Publ

ish

Not

ices

to M

arin

ers

and

publ

ic re

gard

ing

loca

tion

and

timin

g or

wor

ks;

M

anag

emen

t of w

orks

to m

inim

ise

spre

ad o

f tur

bid

wat

erpl

umes

; and

C

ontin

genc

y Pl

ans

to b

e im

plem

ente

d if:

− dr

edgi

ng re

sults

in w

ater

qua

lity

that

exc

eeds

trig

ger

valu

es,

− if

retu

rn w

ater

dis

char

ge re

sults

in w

ater

qua

lity

that

exce

eds

trigg

er v

alue

s, o

r

− if

a tu

rbid

ity p

lum

e re

sulti

ng fr

om d

umpi

ng o

n th

e sp

oil

grou

nd is

obs

erve

d to

be

trave

lling

in th

e di

rect

ion

of k

now

nco

ral c

omm

uniti

es.

To m

inim

ise

adve

rse

effe

cts

ofm

aint

enan

ce a

nd c

apita

l dre

dgin

gPr

e-dr

edgi

ngD

oEC

ALM

Dam

pier

Por

tAu

thor

ity

1D

redg

eM

anag

emen

tPl

an (D

MP)

Impl

emen

t the

app

rove

d D

MP

refe

rred

to in

Com

mitm

ent 1

To a

chie

ve o

utco

mes

of

Com

mitm

ent 1

Dre

dgin

g

Ham

ersl

ey Ir

on w

ill de

velo

p a

Envi

ronm

enta

l Man

agem

ent P

lan

(EM

P) th

at w

ill ad

dres

s th

e m

anag

emen

t of:

H

ydro

carb

ons

W

aste

s

Balla

st W

ater

and

Mar

ine

Pest

s; a

nd

Vess

el M

ovem

ents

.

Man

age

all r

elev

ant e

nviro

nmen

tal

fact

ors

asso

ciat

ed w

ith th

em

aint

enan

ce a

nd c

apita

l dre

dgin

g.

Pre-

dred

ging

DoE

CAL

MD

ampi

er P

ort

Auth

ority

2En

viro

nmen

tal

Man

agem

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Referral Document



8. ReferencesANZECC/ARMCANZ 2000, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine WaterQuality, National Water Quality Management Strategy No. 4, October 2000.

Bureau of Meteorology 2003, Averages for Dampier Salt,www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_005061.shtml, 01/05/03.

CALM 1990, Dampier Archipelago Nature Reserves Management Plan 1990-2000, ManagementPlan No. 18, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

CALM 1994, A Representative Marine Reserve System for Western Australia. Report of theMarine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group. Department of Conservation and LandManagement, Perth.

CALM 2000, Dampier Archipelago/Cape Preston Regional Perspective 2000, MarineConservation Branch, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Fremantle.

CALM 2002, Dampier Archipelago Island Nature Reserves and Section 5(g) ReservesManagement Plan Issues Paper, Department of Conservation and Land Management,http://www.naturebase.net/national_parks/management/pdf_files/dampier_issues.pdf, 15/08/03.

Dampier Port Authority 1994, Port of Dampier Environmental Management Plan, Prepared forDampier Port Authority by Bowman Bishaw Gorham, Perth.

Dampier Port Authority 2003, Tidal Information, http://www.dpa.wa.gov.au/port/tidal.htm,15/08/03.

Dredging and Contracting Rotterdam B.V. 1998, Dampier Port Upgrade Project DredgingMonitoring Environmental Management Plan, Unpublished report prepared for Hamersley Iron PtyLtd by Dredging and Contracting Rotterdam B.V., Perth.

Environmental Contracting Services 1995, Dampier Inner Harbour Marine Habitats Survey April1995, Unpublished report prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by Environmental ContractingServices, Perth.

Environmental Contracting Services 1998, Final field survey of corals post-dredging at DampierPort for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd monitoring program HA-3313, Unpublished report prepared forHamersley Iron Pty Ltd by Environmental Contracting Services, Perth.

IRC Environment 2001, Dampier Marine Environmental Study – Review and Survey Report,Unpublished report prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by IRC Environment, Perth.




IRC Environment 2003a, Surveys of corals east of Parker Point loading wharf, Unpublished reportprepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by IRC Environment, Perth.

IRC Environment 2003b, Dampier Marine Ecological Integrity Survey – November 2002,Unpublished report prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by IRC Environment, Perth.

IRC Environment 2003c, Dampier Coral Habitat Desktop Study, Unpublished report prepared forHamersley Iron Pty Ltd by IRC Environment, Perth.

IRC Environment 2003d, Dampier Wharves and Channels Sediment Quality Survey – November2002, Unpublished Report prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by IRC Environment, Perth.

LeProvost Semeniuk & Chalmer 1989. LNG Shipping Channel Dredging Project. MermaidSound, Western Australia. State Environmental Monitoring Programme. Final Report, December1988. Report to Woodside Offshore Petroleum Pty Ltd, Report No. R237.

LeProvost Dames & Moore 1997, Dampier Port Upgrade Sea Dumping Permit Application forHamersley Iron Pty Limited, Unpublished report prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by LeProvostDames & Moore, Perth.

LeProvost Environmental Consultants 1990, Maintenance Dredging: Dampier Shipping ChannelEnvironmental Monitoring Programme, Unpublished report prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltdby LeProvost Environmental Consultants, Perth.

Sinclair Knight Merz 2003a, Burrup Industrial Water Supply System Baseline Monitoring ProgramField Report 2, Unpublished report prepared for Water Corporation by Sinclair Knight Merz, Perth.

Sinclair Knight Merz 2003b, Hamersley Iron, Dampier Port Upgrade to 95 Mtpa Capacity –Environmental Protection Statement, Final, Prepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by SinclairKnight Merz, Perth.

Worley 1998, Dampier Port Upgrade Project Dredge Spoil Monitoring, Unpublished reportprepared for Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd by Worley Fraser Pty Ltd, Perth.


Referral Document



Appendix A Draft Dredging Management Plan

Dampier Port Upgrade

DREDGING MANAGEMENT PLAN Draft D August 2003

Dampier Port Upgrade

DREDGING MANAGEMENT PLAN Draft D August 2003

Sinclair Knight MerzABN 37 001 024 0957th Floor, Durack Centre263 Adelaide TerracePO Box H615Perth WA 6001 Australia

Tel: +61 8 9268 4400Fax: +61 8 9268 4488Web: www.skmconsulting.com

COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of SinclairKnight Merz Pty Ltd. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the writtenpermission of Sinclair Knight Merz constitutes an infringement of copyright.

HAMERSLEY IRONDampier Port Upgrade

Dredging Management Plan


I:\WVES\02400\WV02442\Rep03_02.10\Dredging Management Plan\R11pfmdmp.doc PAGE i

Contents

1. Purpose and Objectives of the Plan 11.1 Purpose 11.2 Objectives 11.3 Contact Details 1

2. Background 22.1 Dampier Port Upgrade 22.2 Potential Issues 22.3 Legal and Other Requirements 3

3. Management, Monitoring and Reporting 43.1 Hydrocarbon Management 43.1.1 Refuelling 53.1.2 Storage of Oils, Grease and Chemicals 53.1.3 Breakdown of Grease on Moving Parts 53.1.4 Spill Response and Reporting 63.2 Waste Management 63.2.1 Solid Wastes 63.2.2 Sewage Waste 63.3 Dredging Management 73.4 Ballast Water and Marine Pest Management 73.5 Vessel Movement Management 83.5.1 Collision Prevention 83.5.2 Scheduling and Communications 83.6 Turbidity Management 83.6.1 Monitoring 83.6.1.1 Dredging Reactive Monitoring Program 113.6.1.2 Disposal Reactive Monitoring at the Parker Point Spoil Area 123.6.1.3 Disposal Reactive Monitoring at the East Lewis Spoil Ground 133.6.1.4 Dredging Effects Monitoring Program 143.6.1.5 Disposal Effects Monitoring at the East Lewis Spoil Ground 153.6.2 Reporting 163.6.2.1 Progress Reporting 163.6.2.2 Exceedance Reporting 163.6.3 Contingency Plans 16

4. References 19

Appendix A Australian Ballast Water Requirements 20

HAMERSLEY IRONDampier Port UpgradeDredging Management Plan


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List of Figures

Figure 1 Proposed dredging and disposal management process 4

Figure 2 Turbidity monitoring locations 9

Figure 3 Reactive monitoring and reporting process 10

Figure 4 Effects monitoring and reporting process 11

Figure 5 Dredging contingency plan 17

Figure 6 Disposal contingency plan 18

List of Tables

Table 1 Contact details for communications 1




I:\WVES\02400\WV02442\Rep03_02.10\Dredging Management Plan\R11pfmdmp.doc PAGE 1

1. Purpose and Objectives of the Plan

1.1 PurposeThe purpose of this Dredging Management Plan (DMP) is to provide the necessary frameworksuch that the dredging program for the Dampier Port Upgrade can be implemented efficientlyand with minimal environmental impact.

1.2 ObjectivesThe objectives of this DMP are:

1) To identify potential impacts related to dredging program.

2) To ensure minimal impact on the Port of Dampier and surrounding environment fromdredging.

3) To monitor so that environmental effects are detected as early as possible.

4) To have in place the appropriate contingencies to effectively mitigate impacts upondetection.

5) To report the progress and any environmental issues promptly to the Department ofEnvironmental (DoE) and the Dampier Port Authority.

1.3 Contact DetailsContact details for communications are contained in Table 1.

Table 1 Contact details for communications

Organisation Role Telephone Facsimile MobileHamersley Iron Pty Ltd Project Manager TBA TBA TBASinclair Knight Merz Project Engineer 9226-6545 9327-2798 0401 718 946

Environmental Officer TBA TBA TBADredging Contractor Site Manager TBA TBA TBA

Environmental Officer TBA TBA TBADepartment of Environment Emergency Hotline 1800 018 800 9322 1598 0417 946 740Dampier Port Authority Harbour Master TBA TBA TBA



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2. Background

2.1 Dampier Port UpgradeHamersley Iron Pty Limited (Hamersley Iron) is one of the world’s largest exporters of iron ore.The company operates iron mine sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, together witha dedicated railway and port facility in Dampier. The port, which is one of Australia’s largesttonnage ports, includes two terminals – Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

To meet the expected increase in demand for iron ore, Hamersley Iron is proposing to upgradeits port facilities at Dampier from it’s licensed capacity of 80 Mtpa to 95 Mtpa. An importantcomponent of the port upgrade will be to undertake a major dredging program to increase theflexibility of ship loading operations and limit the effect that the large tidal range has on thecurrent port operations.

The construction of the new berth at Parker Point will involve dredging to extend the existingberth pocket at the Parker Point wharf and to create a new berth pocket on the south side of thewharf. A new swing basin and departure channel will be dredged to provide navigable watersfor the southern berth. In addition, a new approach channel will be dredged to the north andeast of the Parker Point wharf to allow the larger ships to enter the berth when unloaded.Additional dredging will remove recent siltation in the existing shipping channel and departurechannel from Parker Point and East Intercourse Island.

2.2 Potential IssuesThe potential environmental impacts that may result from the dredging program include:

The handling of hydrocarbons creates a potential risk to the environment in the event thatspillage occurs. These spills may lead to the contamination of marine water within thevicinity of the spill and potential damage to intertidal marine habitats causing mortality ofsensitive biota. Oil spills in the Dampier region have the potential of washing ashore intonearshore habitats of King Bay, Mermaid Sound and wider Dampier Archipelago due to thetidal nature of the region.

If not handled properly, solid waste and sewage produced during the dredging program hasthe potential to contamination marine, ground and surface waters, impact upon marinefauna and pose a risk to human health.

The dredging works has the potential to impact on corals by the reduction of light and bysmothering from turbidity produced during the dredging and spoil disposal works. Inaddition, if the dredging program spans the autumn coral spawning season, the recruitmentpotential of the area could be reduced.





Ballast water from coastal areas in other parts of Australia or overseas has the potential tointroduce marine pest species that may impact upon the marine communities of MermaidSound and the wide Dampier Archipelago. Marine pest species can be transported withinballast water or on ship hulls.

If not managed, there is the potential for the dredgers to interfere or collide with othervessels in the area.

To ensure that these impacts are addressed and that the activities associated with the dredgingprogram are managed to minimise any impacts, management strategies have been developedand are detailed below.

2.3 Legal and Other RequirementsThe following acts are applicable to the environmental issues associated with the proposeddredging and disposal program for the Dampier Port Upgrade Project:

Environmental Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981;

Environmental Protection Act 1986; and

Port Authorities Act 1999.

The National Water Quality Management Strategy: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines forFresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC/ARMCANZ 2000) and the National OceanDisposal Guidelines for Dredged Material (EA 2002) will be utilised to ensure that the existingenvironment is not significantly degraded.

The project is also subject to a number of commitments and conditions (to be completed whenenvironmental approval is received).




3. Management, Monitoring and ReportingThe proposed dredging and disposal management process is depicted in Figure 1 and detailedin the following sections.

Vesselmovements:

Collision preventionSchedule of dredgingCommunications

Dredging and Disposal Management

Environmental approval granted

Turbidity Management:Location of dumpingTiming of dumpingTurbidity plume

monitoringContingency plan

Dredging Sea Dumping

Dredge and associatedvessels passed AQIS

requirements andAustralian Quarantine

Regulations 2000

Spoil Transport Disposal to Parker Point

Hydrocarbonmanagement:

RefuellingLubricantsSpills OSCP

Pipeline integrityMonitoringSpill management

Dredgingoperations:

Turbidityminimisation

Turbidity Management:Design and construction

of pond systemOperation of ponds and

containment of spoilMonitoring of pond

integrity and dischargeContingency plan

WasteManagement:

GarbageSewage

TurbidityManagement:

MonitoringContingency plan

Figure 1 Proposed dredging and disposal management process

3.1 Hydrocarbon ManagementLarge quantities of diesel fuel, oil, grease and some chemicals are handled on a regular basisduring all dredging operations. The handling of hydrocarbons creates a potential risk to theenvironment in the event that spillage occurs. The main areas of risk during the dredgingoperation are:

Refuelling of the dredge (bunkering);

Storage and handling of oils, grease and chemicals; and

Breakdown of grease on moving parts such as the cutter ladder and spud carriage.





3.1.1 RefuellingRefuelling of the dredge will be carried out in a manner approved by the Dampier PortAuthority (DPA). The dredge will most likely be refuelled while tied up along side a berth.The chance of an oil spill under these circumstances is minimal. During all fuel transfers theMaster of the vessel is responsible for directing and controlling the operation and all crew.

The following mitigation procedures are intended to reduce the risks to as low as reasonablypossible:

A work instruction will be prepared to provide guidelines for all staff and crew to ensurethe potential risk is kept to a minimum.

A project specific Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) will be prepared by the dredgingcontractor in consultation with the DPA.

Refuelling will only take place under favourable wind and sea conditions.

The fuel level in the tanks will be monitored during refuelling in order to avoid overflow.

The dredge will have a spill kit on board (oil booms, absorbent pads and oil dispersingdetergents) ready for prompt response in the unlikely event of a spill.

The Master of the vessel will be responsible for reporting any spill of fuel, oil or chemicalsto the marine environment and for ensuring spill equipment is deployed in a timely andeffective manner if required.

3.1.2 Storage of Oils, Grease and ChemicalsThe bulk of all oil and grease will be stored in storage tanks on the dredge and drums will bestored below deck whenever possible. All chemicals, detergents etc will be stored below deckin the appropriate holds. The Master/Captain of the vessel is responsible for checking allstorage and operational areas on a daily basis.

Hydrocarbons located above deck will be stored within bunded areas to contain any leaks orspills. Spill response kits will be located in close proximity to storage areas for prompt responsein the event of a spill or leak.

3.1.3 Breakdown of Grease on Moving PartsGrease is commonly used to lubricate cutter shafts and spud carriages and these parts are incontact with the water. Consequently there is the risk of small amounts of grease dischargedinto the water. This will be mitigated by the following measures:

A work instruction will be prepared to provide guidelines for all crew to ensure thepotential for discharge is kept to a minimum.




Automatic greasing mechanisms will be monitored to minimise grease consumptionwithout affecting functionality of moving parts.

Where possible, biodegradable greases will be used.

The dredge will have scoops/nets on board ready to collect any grease discharged into thewater.

3.1.4 Spill Response and ReportingAny spills or discharges observed by the Master/Captain or any other member of the crew willbe contained to prevent release to the sea then cleaned up immediately using the available spillkit. All oil and grease spills shall be cleaned by using appropriate absorbent products. Used(contaminated) absorbent materials will be disposed of in the empty spill box or in the propercontainer for oil containing waste.

In the event of a minor spill (less than 25 L) the Master/Captain will coordinate the deploymentof an oil boom, absorbent products as required. Any spill to the sea greater than 25 L will bereported immediately to the DPA. Any major (Tier 1–10 tonnes) spill will be classified as anemergency and the Master/Captain will report the incident immediately to the DPA who willtake charge in accordance with their Emergency Response Plan and the Oil Spill ContingencyPlan. Any spill to the marine environment will be reported in the incident reporting log.

Hamersley has been negotiating with the DPA in regard to a Tier 1 spill response.

3.2 Waste Management

3.2.1 Solid WastesDomestic rubbish will be placed in rubbish bins or skips and recycled or disposed of by alicensed contractor and taken to the Shire of Roebourne landfill near Karratha. Empty oil andchemical containers such as metal or plastic drums will be returned to the supplier for reuse orrecycled where possible. Absorbent material used to mop up minor oil or chemical spills willbe disposed of appropriately as contaminated material.

3.2.2 Sewage WasteSewage from toilets at the shore facilities will be disposed to the appropriate sewerage systemor to a sullage tank then removed by a licensed contractor. Sewage from the dredge and supportvessels will be collected and pumped out and disposed to an appropriate disposal facility by alicensed contractor. No sewage from the dredge or support vessels will be disposed to themarine environment while operating in the Port.





3.3 Dredging ManagementThe dredging works will be undertaken in a manner that minimises the generation of turbidity.The most effective means of minimising turbidity is to select the most appropriate work methodand perform the works in the shortest duration. Particular strategies that will be undertaken tominimise turbidity from the dredging program include:

Turbidity will be minimised by using appropriate dredging methods. In particular materialdredged using a cutter suction dredge will be pumped directly to land disposal areas via afloating pipeline. The spatial extent of the channel dredging is large, which will allow atrailer suction dredge to relocate to alternative areas in the event turbidity levels build upduring the works.

Disposal in the East Lewis Island spoil ground will be restricted to a smaller, defined areawithin the overall limits of the spoil ground to minimise turbidity levels beyond theboundaries of the spoil ground. Alternate spoil grounds will be used if turbidity levels areraised for extended periods of time at the spoil ground boundary.

Where practicable dredged material will not be double handled. To minimise turbiditywhen dredging hard material, pumping materials from the cutter suction dredge into hopperbarges alongside is not permitted.

3.4 Ballast Water and Marine Pest ManagementAny discharge of ballast water will occur in accordance to the Australian Ballast WaterRequirements (Appendix A). Ballast water of all vessels will be exchanged at sea prior tobeing brought into Dampier. Should the dredge or support vessels be brought in from outsideAustralian waters then they will also comply with the Australian Quarantine Regulations 2000.All vessels engaged in the dredging program whose last port is overseas based will be inspectedprior to departure for Dampier. This inspection will certify that the vessel is clean and containsno muds or other material that may introduce pests into Australian waters.

The hull of the dredge will be clean and free of attached organisms prior to being brought intoDampier. All internal compartments and associated dredge pipelines and fittings that come incontact with dredge spoil will have been cleaned and thoroughly flushed through with clean seawater prior to arrival. The dredge will be inspected upon arrival and if found to containevidence of material from previous dredging it will be sent offshore for flushing (outside 12nautical mile limit and in water depth of at least 200 m).

Any pipelines or fittings found to contain evidence of dredge material will be taken ashore andcleaned using high pressure water hoses. The effluent will be prevented from entering drains orfrom discharging into the water.




3.5 Vessel Movement ManagementHamersley Iron’s Parker Point Wharf and East Intercourse Island Facilities are used regularlyfor loading vessels with iron ore and as such the dredging operations will be carefully scheduledand coordinated. In addition, vessel movements to and from the Dampier Salt Wharf onMistaken Island must be taken into account.

3.5.1 Collision PreventionPrevention of collision with vessels including tugs and iron ore carriers servicing other Berths inthe Port will be the main objective of planning the dredging schedule. The DPA will issueNotices to Mariners prior to commencement of the dredging. Incoming vessels will be madeaware of the location of the dredge and any obstructions such as floating or submerged pipes,anchoring cables, piles and support vessels by the DPA. The dredge will be required to giveshipping priority. Collision prevention procedures will be discussed between the dredgeoperator, Hamersley Iron and the DPA.

3.5.2 Scheduling and CommunicationsDampier wharfs are actively used for loading vessels. The dredging operations will, therefore,be scheduled to work in with vessel movements. The intention will be to conduct dredging ofthe berthing pocket of the wharf during periods when no vessels are scheduled to be berthing ordeparting. The dredge and support vessels will maintain radio contact with Hamersley Iron andthe DPA so they can be kept informed of planned shipping movements and can informHamersley Iron and the DPA of planned dredge position and support vessel movements.

3.6 Turbidity Management

3.6.1 MonitoringMonitoring of dredging and disposal (Parker Point Spoil Area and at the East Lewis SpoilGround) will be undertaken at various locations (shown in Figure 2). These monitoringprograms (reactive and effects) are described in detail below along with the prescribed methodof reporting to the DoE. The reactive monitoring process is presented in Figure 3 while theeffects monitoring process is presented in Figure 4.





Figure 2 Turbidity monitoring locationsNote: Reference locations to be selected that are up current at the time of monitoring.

Monitoring locations to be selected that are down current at the time of monitoring.

Legend Reference monitoring location Coral monitoring location




Reactive Monitoring and Reporting Process

Spoil TransportFrequency:

Twice dailyUpon movement ofdredgeRoutinely during dredging

Location:Pipelines

Method:Visual

DredgingContingency

Plan

Turbidity > 2xmean of reference

location?

Continue dredging,disposal andmonitoring

Dredging Monitoring Program Disposal Monitoring Program

DredgeFrequency:

Twice daily during midtide (ebb and flow)When excessive turbidityis observed

Location:Coral area down currentReference area upcurrent

Method:Turbidity at the surface

Parker PointDisposal Area

Frequency:Twice daily during midtide (ebb and flow)When excessive turbidityis observed

Location:Coral area at Tidepole IsReference area atChannel Is

Method:Turbidity, DO, pH with amulti-probe at thesurface

East LewisSpoil Ground

Frequency:Twice daily during midtide (ebb and flow)

Location:Coral area down currentReference area upcurrent

Method:Turbidity at the surface

Turbidity > 2x mean ofreference location?

DO <90% saturation?pH outside 7.5-8.5?

Stop Dredging/disposal and seekadvice from the DoE

DisposalContingency

Plan

NoNo

YesYes

Rectified?

Yes

No

Figure 3 Reactive monitoring and reporting process





Frequency:Just prior to the commencement of dredging;During spoil disposal operations;Soon after the cessation of spoil disposal; andSix months after completion of the dredging program

Location:North end of Tidepole IslandCorals in King Bay to the east of the Service WharfCorals on eastern shoreline of East Lewis Island

Method:Video analysis of coral transects

Effects Monitoring and Reporting Process

Summary Report to be submitted to DoE and EA upon completion of dredging and monitoring program

Coral Effects Monitoring Program Plume Effects Monitoring Program

Frequency:Weekly during the disposal at East Lewis Island

Location:At regular intervals around the margin of the spoil ground

Method:Measurement of surface turbidity with a probe (NTU)

Figure 4 Effects monitoring and reporting process

3.6.1.1 Dredging Reactive Monitoring ProgramParametersWater quality monitoring during the dredging program and disposal to shore shall consist ofroutine measurements of turbidity.

Monitoring LocationsTurbidity at the dredging site will be assessed at the boundary of a down-current coral site(northern end of Tidepole Island and in King Bay east of the Service Wharf) and will becompared to an up-current reference location (see Figure 2). Monitoring for leaks along thelength of the pipeline will also be undertaken.

Frequency of MonitoringMonitoring will be undertaken with the following frequency during dredging:

Water quality (turbidity):

- During daylight hours at mid tidal flow (ebb and flow); and

- As required if excessive turbidity is observed during the operation;

Monitoring of pipelines and pipe connections will be performed with the followingfrequency:




- During the start-up and prior to completion of dredging operations each day,

- Upon movement of the cutter suction dredge; and

- Routinely throughout the day.

Method and Trigger ValuesTurbidity at the dredging site will be assessed (5 separate measurements) using a turbidity probe(NTU units). Measurements are to be taken at the surface at each sampling location. Thetrigger value will be two times the mean of several measurements made at the referencelocations at the time of sampling. Monitoring of the pipelines will involve visual monitoring forturbidity plumes and evidence of pipeline structural integrity.

Contingency PlanIf dredging results in water quality that exceeds trigger values, then the following will beundertaken (also refer to Figure 5):

Notify the DoE and check for excessive turbidity caused by the dredge or leaking pipeline;

Take appropriate actions to prevent further excessive turbidity events or leaks such asreposition the dredge, increase the pumping rate or repair pipelines.

Increase monitoring frequency until certain that the cause has been rectified.

If these actions are not effective then the dredging must be stopped, the DoE notified, andadvice sought.

3.6.1.2 Disposal Reactive Monitoring at the Parker Point Spoil AreaParametersWater quality monitoring adjacent to the return water discharge area shall consist ofmeasurements of turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH.

Monitoring LocationsMonitoring of the return water discharge area will be at the boundary of a down-current coralsite (northern end of Tidepole Island and in King Bay east of the Service Wharf) and will becompared to an up-current reference location (see Figure 2).

Frequency of MonitoringMonitoring will be undertaken with the following frequency during disposal:

During daylight hours at mid tidal flow (ebb and flow); and

As directed if excessive turbidity is observed during discharge.

Method and Trigger Values





Turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH at the monitoring site and return water discharge will beassessed (5 separate measurements) using a multiprobe. Measurements are to be taken at thesurface only. The trigger value for turbidity will be two times the mean of the referencelocation at the time of sampling. The trigger value for dissolved oxygen will be a saturationvalue that falls below 90%. The trigger value for pH will be a value that falls outside of therange of 7.5–8.5.

Contingency PlanIf return water discharge results in water quality that exceeds trigger values or otherwise fallsoutside of a prescribe range of values, then undertake the following (also refer to (Figure 6):

Notify the DoE and check for leaks from bund walls and excessive return water turbidity;

Take appropriate actions to prevent further excessive turbidity events or leaks such as:

- Repair bund walls;

- Decrease rate of flow into the settling ponds;

- Check the integrity of the internal silt curtain;

- Discharge return water below the surface to decrease the rate of spread;

If not effective then erect another silt curtain around the discharge area;


If these actions are not effective then the dredging must be stopped, the DoE notified, andadvice sought.

3.6.1.3 Disposal Reactive Monitoring at the East Lewis Spoil GroundParametersWater quality monitoring shall consist of measurements of turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH.

Monitoring LocationsMonitoring will be at the boundary of sensitive coral sites along the eastern shoreline of EastLewis Island and will be compared to two reference locations (see Figure 2).

Frequency of MonitoringMonitoring will be undertaken with the following frequency during disposal:

Coral and reference locations:

- During daylight hours at mid tidal flow (ebb and flow);

- As directed if excessive turbidity is observed during discharge;




Method and Trigger ValuesTurbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH will be assessed (5 separate measurements) using amultiprobe. Measurements are to be taken at the surface only. The trigger value for turbiditywill be two times the mean of the reference location at the time of sampling. The trigger valuefor dissolved oxygen will be a saturation value that falls below 90%. The trigger value for pHwill be a value that falls outside of the range of 7.5–8.5.

Contingency PlanIf water quality exceeds trigger values or otherwise falls outside of a prescribe range of values,then the following will be undertaken (also refer to (Figure 6):

Notify the DoE and check for the following:

- Direction of disposal plume;

- Wind and tidal current direction;

Alter the dumping pattern within the dumping zone to:

- Increase the dispersion distance;

- Change the trajectory of the plume so that it does not reach the corals;

If not effective then dump at the Woodside Spoil Ground until favourable conditions return(subject to approval by Environment Australia to dump on that spoil ground on acontingency basis only);


If these actions are not effective then the disposal of spoil at East Lewis Island must bestopped, the DoE notified, and advice sought.

3.6.1.4 Dredging Effects Monitoring ProgramThis monitoring program is intended to assess the effects of the overall dredging program oncorals in the vicinity of Parker Point.

The monitoring program will test the predictions that:

Living hard coral cover on the Tidepole Island and King Bay shorelines did not declinesignificantly, in the short to medium-term, as a result of spoil disposal.

Turbidity has not resulted in significant deposition of material on the coral assemblages atTidepole Island and in King Bay.

Monitoring program1) Effects of the dumping programme on the shoreline coral communities will be evaluated

through a series of surveys. Coral monitoring sites will be established near the Tidepole





Island and King Bay shorelines and at reference locations, with hard coral cover at each sitedetermined using videographic methods. The survey frequency is as follows:

Just prior to the commencement of dredging;

During spoil disposal operations;

Soon after the cessation of spoil disposal; and

Six months after completion of the dredging program

2) Observations of sediment accumulation on the coral assemblages will made during theassessment of coral cover.

3.6.1.5 Disposal Effects Monitoring at the East Lewis Spoil GroundHamersley Iron will implement a similar monitoring program to that which has previously beenimplemented and reported to Environment Australia.

The monitoring program will test the predictions that:

Plume dispersion is contained within the spoil ground, with minimal encroachment ofplumes onto the East Lewis Island shoreline;

Living hard coral cover on the East Lewis Island shoreline did not decline significantly, inthe short to medium-term, as a result of spoil disposal.

Monitoring program1) Plume dispersion monitoring will comprise observations of dredge plume dispersal under a

diversity of wind and tidal state conditions.

2) Effects of the dumping programme on the shoreline coral communities will be evaluatedthrough a series of surveys. Coral monitoring sites will be established near the East LewisIsland shoreline and at reference locations, with hard coral cover at each site determinedusing videographic methods. The survey frequency is as follows:

Just prior to the commencement of dredging;

During spoil disposal operations;

Soon after the cessation of spoil disposal; and

Six months after completion of the dredging program

3) Following completion of the dredging programme, a bathymetric survey of the spoil groundwill be undertaken. Data from this survey will be compared with the pre-dredging surveyto evaluate changes in the seafloor bathymetry. The results of the post dredging programbathymetric survey will be forwarded to Environment Australia.




Contingency PlanIf a turbidity plume resulting from dumping on the spoil ground is observed to be travelling inthe direction of known coral communities along the East Lewis shoreline then the followingactions will be undertaken:

Locate dumping in another portion of the spoil ground if, under the prevailing conditions,the plume would not affect shoreline coral communities.

Subject to approval by Environment Australia, commence dumping at the Woodside SpoilGround until more favourable dumping conditions at East Lewis Island spoil ground occur.

3.6.2 ReportingReporting associated with monitoring will involve weekly progress reports, reporting ofexceedances and a final report at the termination of the dredging and disposal program.

3.6.2.1 Progress ReportingWeekly progress reports will be transmitted by facsimile to the DoE and will contain thefollowing information:

Dredging progress to date;

Monitoring results for the reporting period including analytical results; and

Exceedances incurred during the period and any action implemented.

3.6.2.2 Exceedance ReportingExceedances must be reported immediately to the DoE by telephone and facsimile and will befollowed up by confirmation when the exceedance has been rectified. Exceedances are to beincluded in progress reporting as a written record.

3.6.3 Contingency PlansThe following flow chart is intended to graphically represent and simplify the contingency planpresented in text earlier in this management plan.





Dredging Contingency Plan

Notify the DoE and check for all of the following:

Increase Monitoring Frequency Until Certain that the Fault is Rectified andContinue Dredging

Stop the operation,notify the DoE andseek further advice

Excessive turbidity at the dredge Leaking pipeline to shore

Increase pumping rateReposition dredge

Repair pipeline

Rectificationof Problem? No

Yes

Figure 5 Dredging contingency plan




Disposal Contingency Plan


Leaks from bund walls

Repair bund walls

Increase Monitoring Frequency Until Certain that the Fault is Rectified andContinue Disposal

Excessive silt dischargein return water

Decrease rate of flowinto settling pondsCheck integrity ofinternal silt curtainDischarge below thewater level

Stop the operation,notify the DoE andseek further advice

Rectificationof Problem?

Erect an external siltcurtain at the point of

discharge

Rectificationof Problem?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Dumping at the East Lewis Spoil Ground Return water discharge


Direction of disposalplume

Wind and tidal currentdirection

Alter the disposallocation change thetrajectory of theplume so that it doesnot reach the corals

Alter the disposallocation to increasethe dispersiondistance

Rectificationof Problem? No

Yes

Dump at WoodsideSpoil Ground, subject to

approval.

Figure 6 Disposal contingency plan





4. ReferencesANZECC/ARMCANZ. 2000. National Water Quality Management Strategy: Australian andNew Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. Prepared by Australia and NewZealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource ManagementCouncil of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra.

Environment Australia. 2002. National Ocean Disposal Guidelines for Dredged Material.Commonwealth of Australia.




Appendix A Australian Ballast WaterRequirements

AQISAUSTRALIAN QUARANTINEAND INSPECTION SERVICE

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AGRI CUL T URE F I S HE RI E S A ND F ORE S T RY - A US T RAL I A





Introduction

The reason for the introduction of the mandatory Australian ballast water managementarrangements is to help minimise the risk of the introduction of harmful aquaticorganisms into Australia’s marine environment through ship’s ballast water.

Background

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the lead agency for themanagement of international vessels ballast water. Australia was the first country in theworld to introduce voluntary ballast water management guidelines for internationalshipping, which have been in use by since 1991.

In September 1999, the Australian Government announced that mandatory ballast watermanagement arrangements would be introduced for all international vessels arriving inAustralian ports or waters from 1 July 2001.

Since that announcement, AQIS, in consultation with State / Territory Governments andthe shipping industry, has developed new ballast water management arrangementswhich help minimise the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms into Australia’smarine environment.

The new arrangements will incorporate a Decision Support System (DSS), which willprovide vessels with a risk assessment of the ballast water as to the likelihood ofintroducing exotic species into Australian ports or waters. A revised ballast waterreporting system and verification inspections will also be an integral part of the newarrangements.

The mandatory Australian ballast water management requirements have been developedto be consistent with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Guidelines forminimising the uptake of harmful aquatic species when vessels are performingballasting operations.

Australia’s new ballast water management requirements have legislative backing and will beenforced under the Quarantine Act 1908.




Safety of vessels and crew are of paramount importance, therefore vesselsundertaking ballasting operations to meet Australia’s ballast water managementrequirements must do so in accordance with the IMO Guidelines.

What the new arrangements mean for the shipping industry

Mandatory ballast water management requirements

From 1 July 2001, all international vessels will be required to manage their ballast waterin accordance with AQIS requirements and not discharge high risk ballast water inAustralian ports or waters.

Ballast water management options

The ballast water management options approved by AQIS that vessel Masters mayundertake to minimise the risk of introduction of harmful aquatic organisms intoAustralian ports or waters are as follows.

Non-discharge of ‘high risk’ ballast tanks in Australian ports or waters

This method may be employed where the vessel does not need to discharge any ballastwater in Australian ports or waters, or where the vessel has undertaken a DSS riskassessment and the risk assessment was ‘low’.

Tank to tank transfer

This method may be employed where the vessel is able to move high risk ballast waterfrom tank to tank within the vessel to avoid discharging high risk ballast water inAustralian ports or waters.

Full ballast water exchange at sea using one of the following methods

Flow through method

Sequential method (empty/refill)

Dilution method.

Full ballast water exchange may be employed where the vessel has high risk ballastwater intended for discharge in Australian ports or waters. Vessels should conduct fullballast water exchange in deep mid ocean water, as far as possible from shore and





outside the Australian 12 nautical limit. Exchange at sea must be undertaken to aminimum 95% volumetric exchange and should be undertaken in water greater than 200metres in depth.

Where full ballast water exchange could not be undertaken due to safety reasons, suchas weather, sea conditions or operational impracticability, the Master should report thisto AQIS on the Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report (QPAR) as soon as possible and prior toentering Australian waters.

Other comparable treatment methods will be considered by AQIS on a case by casebasis. You should contact AQIS prior to undertaking any treatment methods other thanthose specified above.

The AQIS Decision Support System

The Australian Ballast Water Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer softwareapplication developed by AQIS in consultation with industry. The DSS undertakes abiological risk assessment that predicts the likelihood of entry of harmful aquaticorganisms and pathogens on a tank by tank basis based on uptake and dischargeinformation entered by the vessels Master or agent. Information maybe lodged with theDSS at the last port of call or as early as possible prior to entering Australian waters (12nautical mile limit). After submitting information into the DSS, you will receive a riskassessment number (RAN) which must be entered on the vessel’s QPAR. This willallow AQIS officers to search the DSS for the risk assessment when undertaking averification inspection of the vessel.

Masters are encouraged to use the DSS for ‘scenario testing’ to allow the best possibleballast water management option for the vessel. Low risk ballast water will not requireany treatment prior to discharging in Australian ports or waters.

Entering information as early as possible into the DSS will allow Masters more time toperform an AQIS approved treatment prior to arrival in Australia saving time, moneyand inconvenience.

Access to the DSS can be through either of the following methods:

Internet

Inmarsat-C / Email




Ballast water reporting

All vessels arriving in Australia from international waters are required to submit aQPAR to AQIS. The QPAR details the condition of the vessel including human health,cargoes and ballast water management.

Vessel Masters / agents are required to send the QPAR to AQIS between 12 – 48 hoursprior to arrival in Australia. This will allow efficient processing of the QPAR and avoidany disruption to the vessels arrival.

Vessel Masters / agents that do not submit the QPAR to AQIS will not be given formalquarantine clearance to enter port. This will cause delays to the vessel and will incuradditional AQIS charges.

Vessels will require written permission to discharge any ballast water in Australianports or waters which may be given following lodgement of the QPAR with AQIS. Ifthe vessels ballast water details change, a revised QPAR must be sent to AQIS prior todischarging any ballast water.

Vessel Masters will be required to complete 2 other AQIS forms:

The AQIS Ballast Water Uptake/Discharge Log. This log can also be used to provide theshipping agent with uptake and discharge information for entry into the DSS.

The AQIS Ballast Water Treatment/Exchange Log. This log must be used to record allballast water treatment / exchanges at sea.

These forms should not be sent to AQIS, however, they must be held on the vessel for aperiod of 2 years and produced to AQIS on request.

Verification Inspections

AQIS Officers will conduct ballast water verification inspections on-board vessels toensure compliance with Australia’s ballast water management requirements.

AQIS Officers will use the QPAR/DSS results, the AQIS ballast water logs and thevessels deck and engineering logs to verify the information supplied to AQIS is correct.





The verification inspection will take around 30 minutes to complete and in most caseswill be conducted at the same time as a routine vessel inspection.

Vessels that have a poor quarantine history or have not previously complied with AQISrequirements will be inspected on each visit to Australia.

Co-regulation

AQIS Ballast Water Compliance Agreements will be available to vessels who regularlyvisit Australian ports and who have demonstrated a good quarantine compliance history.

The Agreement sets out the details of the activities, how they will be conducted and who hasresponsibility for ensuring they comply with AQIS requirements.

Ballast Water Compliance Agreements are subject to formal audit by AQIS on a regularbasis.

Tank stripping

The discharge of ballast tank sediment must not occur in Australian waters.

Ballast tank stripping must not occur where this operation involves the discharge ofsediment in Australian waters. Written approval from AQIS must be obtained prior toperforming ballast tank stripping or sediment removal.

Access to sampling points

The AQIS sampling program is currently being reviewed, however, there will still be arequirement for vessel Masters to provide access to safe ballast water sampling pointswithin the vessel.

Ballast water samples may be required to ensure compliance with Australia’s ballastwater management requirements or for further ballast water research.

Where a ballast water sample is required, AQIS Officers will avoid delays to vesselswherever possible.




Further Advice & Information

Further information can be obtained by contacting AQIS.

Log on to the AQIS web site

Home page address: www.aqis.gov.au/shipping

AQIS Seaports Program address: [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Contact AQIS by phone or fax

Calling within Australia Phone: (02) 6272 3933

Fax: (02) 6272 3276

Overseas enquires: Phone: +61 2 6272 3933

Fax: +61 2 6272 3276

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