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REPORT
Ports of Auckland Assessment of Sediment Quality and Biosecurity for Dumping of Dredged
Sediment from the Port of Auckland at the Cuvier Dump Site
Submitted to:
Ports of Auckland Limited PO Box 1281, Auckland 1140
Submitted by:
Golder Associates (NZ) Limited
PO Box 33-849, Takapuna 0740, Auckland
+64 9 486 8068
1779496-002-R-Rev0
November 2018
Part 1 of 4
Report
Appendices A to C
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Record of Issue
Company Client Contact Version Date Issued Review
Status/Comments
Ports of Auckland
Limited
Nigel Ironside RevA 15 November 2018 Draft
Ports of Auckland
Limited
Nigel Ironside Rev0 23 November 2018 Final
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November 2018 1779496-002-R-Rev0
Record of Issue
Company Client Contact Version Date Issued Review
Status/Comments
Ports of Auckland
Limited
Nigel Ironside RevA 15 November 2018 Draft
Ports of Auckland
Limited
Nigel Ironside Rev0 23 November 2018 Final
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Table of Contents
NO TABLE OF CONTENTS ENTRIES FOUND.
TABLES
No table of figures entries found.
FIGURES
No table of figures entries found.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A Previous disposal Permits Granted for the Cuvier Disposal Site
APPENDIX B Bio-security Assessment
APPENDIX C Ministry of Primary Industries Bio-security Communications to Stakeholders
APPENDIX D Sediment Quality in the Port of Auckland
APPENDIX E Review of Alternatives to Disposal at Sea
APPENDIX F MacDiarmid et al. (2017) Review of Environmental Information within the Exclusive Economic Zone Near the Cuvier Disposal site
APPENDIX G Near-field Sediment Modelling Using STFATE (Beca 2018a)
APPENDIX H Far-field sediment modelling using Regional Ocean Modelling System (Macdonald & Rickard 2018)
APPENDIX I Dredging Management Plan (Beca 2018b)
APPENDIX J Disposal Management Plan (Beca 2018c)
APPENDIX K Limitations
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Abbreviations and Units
oC Degrees Celsius
µg Microgram
AC Auckland Council
ADCP Acoustic doppler current profiler
AHB Auckland Harbour Board
ANZECC Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council
ARC Auckland Regional Council
ARWB Auckland Regional Water Board
BCF Bio-concentration factor
BOMEC Broad benthic optimised marine environment classification
BSAF Bio-accumulation to sediment accumulation factor
bsl Below sea level
BT Bio-accumulation trigger
BWE Bledisloe Wharf east
BWW Bledisloe Wharf west
CCC Criterion continuous concentration
CCREM Canadian Council of Resource and Environment Ministers
CD Chart datum
CDS Cuvier Disposal site
CMA Coastal Marine Area
CTD Conductivity, temperature and density
d Day
DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
DGV Default guideline values for sediment quality (ANZECC 2018)
DiMP Disposal Management Plan
DMMO Dredged Material Management Office
DMMU Dredging material management unit
DMP Dredging Management Plan
DOAG Disposal Options Advisory Group
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DoC Department of Conservation
dw Dry weight
EAUC East Auckland Current
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMP S Environmental Management Plan: Stormwater
EPA Environmental Protection Authority
ER-L Effects range low
ER-M Effects range median
ERDC U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
FWE Freyberg Wharf east
FWW Freyberg Wharf west
FTU Formazin turbidity unit
g Gram
gamma-BHC Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane
Golder Golder Associates (NZ) Limited
GV-high Upper guideline values for sediment quality (ANZECC 2018)
ha Hectare
hr Hour
Hs Wave height (significant)
JWE Jellicoe Wharf east
JWW Jellicoe Wharf west
kg Kilogram
km Kilometre
km2 Square kilometre
kn knot, nautical mile per hour
Kow Octanol-water partition coefficient
L Litre
m Metre
M million
m2 Square metre
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m3 Cubic metre
MD Maintenance dredging
MHRSS Marine High-Risk Site Surveillance
mg milligram
mg Sn/m3 milligrams (expressed as tin) per cubic metre (of water)
mm millimetre
MoT Ministry of Transport
MPI Ministry of Primary Industries
MSA Maritime Safety Authority (New Zealand)
NABIS National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System
NDA Northern Disposal Area
ng nanogram
NHMRC National Health Medical Research Council
NIS Non-indigenous species
NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
NP Navigation Precinct
NRDS North Rangitoto Disposal site
NTU Nephelometric turbidity unit
OCP Organochlorine pesticides
PAH Polyaromatic hydrocarbon
Panuku Panuku Developments Auckland
PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl
POAL Ports of Auckland Limited
POP Persistent organic compound
PSU Practical salinity unit
PWE princes Wharf east
PWW Princes Wharf west
QWE Queens Wharf east
QWW Queens Wharf west
ROMS Regional Ocean Modelling System
s Second
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Sn Tin
SOP Standard operating procedure
STFATE Short-term FATE
t Ton
TBT Tributyltin
TEU Twenty-foot equivalent
TN Total nitrogen
TNC Threatened, nationally critical
TOC Total organic carbon
TPH Total petroleum hydrocarbons
TSS Total suspended solids
µg/kg milligrams per kilogram (sediment)
µg Sn/kg micrograms (expressed as tin) per kilogram
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
WWE Wynyard Wharf east
y Year
yd3 Cubic yard
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Signature Page
Golder Associates (NZ) Limited
Golder and the G logo are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation
\\akl2-v-file02\akl-dun-files\projects-dynamics\2017\7410\1779496_poal_longterm_disposal_permit\deliverables\002-r_aee\rev0\parts\1779496-002-r-rev0-poal dredged material
disposal_eia part headers only.docx
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November 2018 1779496-002-R-Rev0
APPENDIX A
Previous disposal Permits Granted for
the Cuvier Disposal Site
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APPENDIX B
Bio-security Assessment
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APPENDIX C
Ministry of Primary Industries Bio-security
Communications to Stakeholders
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APPENDIX D
Sediment Quality in the Port of Auckland
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APPENDIX E
Review of Alternatives to Disposal at Sea
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APPENDIX F
MacDiarmid et al. (2017) Review of Environmental
Information within the Exclusive Economic Zone
Near the Cuvier Disposal site
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APPENDIX G
Near-field Sediment Modelling Using STFATE
(Beca 2018a)
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APPENDIX H
Far-field sediment modelling
using Regional Ocean Modelling
System (Macdonald & Rickard
2018)
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APPENDIX I
Dredging Management Plan (Beca 2018b)
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APPENDIX J
Disposal Management Plan (Beca 2018c)
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APPENDIX K
Limitations
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golder.com
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Dredging in the Port of Auckland ...................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Dredging Areas Covered by this Assessment .................................................................................. 3
1.4 Assessment Contents ....................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 DREDGED MATERIAL DUMPING REGULATIONS ................................................................................. 5
2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects – Discharge and
Dumping) Regulations 2015 .............................................................................................................. 5
2.3 Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 ....................... 6
2.4 Dumping Location ............................................................................................................................. 7
2.5 Past Disposal at the CDS .................................................................................................................. 8
3.0 PORTS OF AUCKLAND FACILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND DREDGING ..................................................... 9
3.1 The Port of Auckland ......................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Port Wharfs and Facilities ............................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Stormwater ...................................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Port Dredging .................................................................................................................................. 14
3.4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 14
3.4.2 Maintenance dredging ................................................................................................................ 14
3.4.3 Capital dredging .......................................................................................................................... 15
4.0 PORT BIOSECURITY OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 15
4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 15
4.2 Port Biosecurity Surveys ................................................................................................................. 15
4.3 Target Pest Species Identified in the Port ....................................................................................... 17
4.4 Non-indigenous Biota ...................................................................................................................... 17
4.5 Biosecurity Summary ...................................................................................................................... 18
5.0 PORT OF AUCKLAND SEDIMENT QUALITY ........................................................................................ 18
5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 18
5.2 Assessment Framework .................................................................................................................. 18
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5.2.1 Overview of the assessment framework ..................................................................................... 18
5.2.2 Level 1 assessment .................................................................................................................... 19
5.2.3 Levels 2, 3 and 4 assessments ................................................................................................... 20
5.3 Dredged Material Sampling in the Port (Maintenance Dredging) ................................................... 20
5.3.1 Sampling methods ...................................................................................................................... 20
5.3.2 Sample locations ......................................................................................................................... 21
5.3.3 Sampling sites ............................................................................................................................. 21
5.3.4 Sampling and sub-sampling of cores .......................................................................................... 23
5.3.5 Number of samples collected ...................................................................................................... 23
5.3.6 Recency ...................................................................................................................................... 24
5.4 Port Maintenance Dredging Sediment Characteristics ................................................................... 25
5.4.1 Sediment characterisation .......................................................................................................... 25
5.4.2 Physical characteristics ............................................................................................................... 25
5.4.2.1 Sediment textures ....................................................................................................................... 25
5.4.2.2 Sediment colour .......................................................................................................................... 26
5.4.2.3 Man-made debris ........................................................................................................................ 26
5.4.3 Organic carbon ............................................................................................................................ 26
5.4.4 Nitrogen and phosphorus ............................................................................................................ 27
5.4.5 Trace elements ........................................................................................................................... 27
5.4.6 Total petroleum hydrocarbons .................................................................................................... 29
5.4.7 Polyaromatic hydrocarbons ........................................................................................................ 29
5.4.8 Polychlorinated biphenyls ........................................................................................................... 29
5.4.9 Organochlorine compounds ........................................................................................................ 29
5.4.10 Antifoulants ................................................................................................................................. 30
5.4.11 Other organic compounds ........................................................................................................... 31
5.4.12 Elutriate testing ........................................................................................................................... 32
5.4.13 Maintenance dredging sediment quality summary ..................................................................... 35
5.5 Navigation Precinct Maintenance Dredging Characteristics ........................................................... 35
5.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 35
5.5.2 Physical characteristics ............................................................................................................... 35
5.5.3 Trace elements ........................................................................................................................... 36
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5.5.4 Organic compounds .................................................................................................................... 36
5.5.5 Antifoulants ................................................................................................................................. 36
5.5.6 Future sampling for channel maintenance dredging ................................................................... 36
5.5.7 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 36
5.6 Capital Dredging Characteristics..................................................................................................... 37
5.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 37
5.6.2 Navigation Channel deepening ................................................................................................... 37
5.6.3 Berth deepening .......................................................................................................................... 37
5.6.4 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 37
6.0 ALTERNATIVES TO MARINE DUMPING................................................................................................ 38
6.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 38
6.2 Harbour Edge Disposal ................................................................................................................... 38
6.3 Land Disposal.................................................................................................................................. 39
6.4 Marine Dumping .............................................................................................................................. 39
6.5 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 39
7.0 DUMPING SITE ......................................................................................................................................... 40
7.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 40
7.2 Site Physical Environments ............................................................................................................. 40
7.2.1 Bathymetry and seabed topography ........................................................................................... 40
7.2.2 Sediments ................................................................................................................................... 41
7.2.3 Sediment geology and mineralogy .............................................................................................. 43
7.2.4 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 43
7.3 Site Oceanography ......................................................................................................................... 43
7.3.1 Waves ......................................................................................................................................... 43
7.3.2 Currents ...................................................................................................................................... 45
7.3.3 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 48
7.4 Water Quality Characteristics .......................................................................................................... 48
7.4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 48
7.4.2 Temperature and salinity ............................................................................................................ 49
7.4.3 Water clarity and suspended sediment ....................................................................................... 51
7.4.4 Sediment deposition.................................................................................................................... 52
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7.4.5 Trace elements ........................................................................................................................... 53
7.5 Site and Wider Environment Sediment Quality ............................................................................... 53
7.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 53
7.5.2 Organic carbon and nitrogen ...................................................................................................... 54
7.5.3 Trace elements ........................................................................................................................... 54
7.6 Site Ecological Environment ........................................................................................................... 56
7.6.1 Habitat ......................................................................................................................................... 56
7.6.2 Vulnerable ecosystems ............................................................................................................... 57
7.6.3 Local knowledge of vulnerable ecosystems ............................................................................... 58
7.6.4 Benthic ecology ........................................................................................................................... 59
7.6.5 Fish and fisheries ........................................................................................................................ 61
7.6.6 Crayfish ....................................................................................................................................... 66
7.6.7 Seabirds ...................................................................................................................................... 66
7.6.8 Marine mammals ......................................................................................................................... 69
7.6.9 Areas of conservation significance ............................................................................................. 70
7.6.10 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 70
8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF DUMPING ......................................................................................... 71
8.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 71
8.2 Dumping Volumes ........................................................................................................................... 71
8.2.1 Maintenance dredging ................................................................................................................ 71
8.2.2 Capital dredging .......................................................................................................................... 72
8.2.3 Disposal summary ....................................................................................................................... 72
8.3 Method of Dredged Material Disposal ............................................................................................. 73
8.4 Sediment Fate Modelling ................................................................................................................ 73
8.4.1 Short-term modelling immediately following dumping ................................................................ 73
8.4.2 Longer-term fate following dumping............................................................................................ 74
8.5 Effects on Water Quality ................................................................................................................. 75
8.5.1 Short-term near-field physical changes modelled using STFATE .............................................. 75
8.5.2 Short-term near-field physical changes during disposal observed at the NDA .......................... 77
8.5.3 Water quality changes adjacent to the descending plume at CDS ............................................. 78
8.6 Longer-term Far-field Water Quality Effects (Total Suspended Solids) .......................................... 80
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8.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 80
8.6.2 TSS during maintenance dredging material disposal ................................................................. 80
8.6.3 TSS during capital dredging disposal ......................................................................................... 82
8.6.4 Cumulative effects....................................................................................................................... 83
8.6.5 Summary of disposal effects on TSS concentrations ................................................................. 85
8.7 Effects of Suspended Solids on Ecological Resources .................................................................. 85
8.7.1 Types of effects ........................................................................................................................... 85
8.7.2 Effects on phytoplankton ............................................................................................................. 85
8.7.3 Effects on fish .............................................................................................................................. 86
8.7.4 Effects on Crayfish ...................................................................................................................... 87
8.7.5 Effects on filter feeding and other benthic biota .......................................................................... 87
8.7.6 Plume TSS and observable effects data .................................................................................... 88
8.8 Effects on Sedimentation ................................................................................................................ 88
8.8.1 Within the CDS as modelled using STFATE .............................................................................. 88
8.8.2 Within and outside the CDS as modelled using ROMS for maintenance dredging disposal ..... 90
8.8.3 Within and outside the CDS as modelled using ROMS for disposal of capital dredging material
.................................................................................................................................................... 91
8.8.4 Cumulative effects....................................................................................................................... 92
8.8.5 Summary of capital and maintenance dredging disposal sedimentation .................................... 93
8.9 Effects of Sediment Deposition on Ecological Resources .............................................................. 94
8.9.1 Types of effects ........................................................................................................................... 94
8.9.2 Sensitivity of biota ....................................................................................................................... 94
8.9.3 Plume sedimentation and observable effects data ..................................................................... 95
8.10 Effects of Sediment Quality on Benthic Biota ................................................................................. 96
8.10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 96
8.10.2 Effects inside the CDS ................................................................................................................ 96
8.10.3 Effects outside the CDS .............................................................................................................. 97
8.11 Effects on Seabirds and Marine Mammals ..................................................................................... 98
8.11.1 Effects on seabirds...................................................................................................................... 98
8.11.2 Effects on marine mammals ....................................................................................................... 98
8.12 Sediment Resuspension ............................................................................................................... 101
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8.13 Biosecurity Risk ............................................................................................................................. 101
8.14 Human Health ............................................................................................................................... 102
8.14.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 102
8.14.2 Effects on water quality ............................................................................................................. 103
8.14.3 Bio-uptake – transfer to fish etc. ............................................................................................... 104
8.14.3.1 Bio-uptake Process ................................................................................................................ 104
8.14.3.2 Trace Elements ...................................................................................................................... 104
8.14.3.3 Organic Compounds .............................................................................................................. 106
8.14.3.4 Implications changes in contaminant flux .............................................................................. 108
8.15 Effects on Recreational Activities .................................................................................................. 108
8.16 Effects on Commercial Fishing Activity ......................................................................................... 109
9.0 DREDGING AND DISPOSAL MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................... 109
9.1 Suitability of Dredged Material for disposal at CDS ...................................................................... 109
9.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 109
9.1.2 Navigation Channel dredging .................................................................................................... 110
9.1.3 Port maintenance dredging ....................................................................................................... 110
9.2 Dredging Management .................................................................................................................. 111
9.2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 111
9.2.2 Exclusion areas ......................................................................................................................... 112
9.2.3 Recency .................................................................................................................................... 112
9.2.4 Further sediment quality characterisation ................................................................................. 113
9.3 Dumping Management .................................................................................................................. 113
9.4 Sampling and Assessment Plans.................................................................................................. 115
9.4.1 Port maintenance dredging (port Precincts) ............................................................................. 115
9.4.2 New areas of maintenance dredging within the port precincts ................................................. 115
9.4.3 Navigation channel maintenance dredging ............................................................................... 115
9.4.4 Areas of capital works ............................................................................................................... 115
10.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................... 116
11.0 LIMITATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 119
12.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 119
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TABLES
Table 1: Part 5 and Part 6 requirements. ............................................................................................................. 5
Table 2: Section 39 requirements and relevant section of this Impact Assessment. ........................................... 6
Table 3: Summary of recent dumping activity at the CDS since 2000. ................................................................ 9
Table 4: Port of Auckland wharf activity and product handling contamination risks summary. .......................... 12
Table 5: Major Auckland Council stormwater outfalls within Port of Auckland. .................................................. 14
Table 6: List of marine species targeted during the biosecurity surveys and their known status in the Port of Auckland. ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Table 7: Summary of sampling in the Port of Auckland. .................................................................................... 20
Table 8: Comparison of trace element concentrations with ANZECC (2018) guidelines. .................................. 27
Table 9: Summary of GV-high exceedance in Port sediments.......................................................................... 28
Table 10: Comparison of DDT and other organochlorine compound concentrations with the ANZECC (2018) sediment quality guidelines. ............................................................................................................................... 30
Table 11: TBT and degradation products in sediment samples collected in the 2016-2017 and 2018 surveys. ............................................................................................................................................................................ 31
Table 12: Comparison of port ammoniacal-nitrogen and trace elements elutriate concentrations with ANZECC (2018) marine water quality default guideline values. ........................................................................................ 33
Table 13: TSS and turbidity in Hauraki Gulf waters. .......................................................................................... 52
Table 14: Trace element concentrations in New Zealand offshore waters. ....................................................... 53
Table 15: Major and trace element concentrations in regional sediment. .......................................................... 54
Table 16: Regional bird species breeding on Islands within the area of interest*. ............................................. 67
Table 17: Conservation status of key marine mammals identified near the CDS (refer also to table 3-4 in Appendix F for information about other species). ............................................................................................... 69
Table 18: Indicative Maintenance and Capital Dredging Timeline. .................................................................... 73
Table 19: Amount of sediment stripped from sediment plume. ......................................................................... 74
Table 20: Summary of estimated dilution available within the plume as plume descends (source: Beca 2018a). ............................................................................................................................................................................ 76
Table 21: Comparison of maximum concentration of trace elements in elutriate with USEPA acute criteria. ... 79
Table 22: Concentrations of TSS at which adverse effects have been identified in New Zealand marine biota (source: James 2016). ....................................................................................................................................... 87
Table 23: Sediment quality changes due to sediment deposition inside the CDS. ............................................ 97
Table 24: Key marine mammals identified near the CDS (refer also to Table 3-4 in Appendix F for information about other species). .......................................................................................................................................... 99
Table 25: Comparison of maximum elutriate concentrations with ANZECC contact recreation water quality guidance. .......................................................................................................................................................... 103
Table 26: Mercury in snapper caught at the NRDS (source: POAL 1989). ...................................................... 105
Table 27: Organic compounds in snapper caught at the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf (source: POAL 1990). ................................................................................................................................................................ 107
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FIGURES
Figure 1: Location of Ports of Auckland in the Waitemata Harbour (upper image from Auckland City Masterplan). .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 2: Location of the areas of Port maintenance dredging. ........................................................................... 2
Figure 3: Location of the Navigation Precinct. ...................................................................................................... 3
Figure 4: Location of the CDS. ............................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 5: Port of Auckland Fergusson Container Terminal reclamation works. ................................................. 10
Figure 6: Assessment process from the New Zealand Guidelines for the Sea Disposal of Waste (source: MSA 1999). .................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Figure 7: Core sample locations colour coded in groups of three at Jellicoe Wharf east and Freyberg Wharf west in 2011. ....................................................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 8: Bathymetry and broad topography of the seabed at the dumping site and in the Bay of Plenty. ....... 42
Figure 9: Seabed characteristics of the outer Hauraki Gulf (screen capture from Seasketch). ......................... 43
Figure 10: Forty-four year (1958-2001) mean (a) annual maxima significant wave height; (b) mean wave period associated with annual maxima significant wave height (source: Godoi et al. 2017). ........................... 44
Figure 11: Wave rose at the NDA location (source: Beca 2018d). ................................................................... 45
Figure 12: Schematic surface circulation around New Zealand based on drifter and hydrographic data (EAUC) (source: Chiswell et al. 2015). ........................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 13: Current roses from a mooring north of the CDS on 1,000 m depth contour. Upper roses are for actual and modelled currents at 340 m depth. Lower roses are for actual and modelled currents at near-bottom (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). ................................................................................................... 47
Figure 14: Modelled surface and bottom current roses at the CDS (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). ..... 48
Figure 15: Derived seasonal temperature profiles from within the CDS (source: NIWA). ................................ 49
Figure 16: CTD surveys conducted in 1994-95 off the northeast coast of New Zealand. The figure (source: Stanton et al. 1997) shows CTD stations and line numbers, the current meter moorings deployed on Survey 1 (El, E2, E3, E4 and E6) and the 200 and 1,000 m depth contours. ................................................................... 50
Figure 17: Temperature, density and salinity profiles at site I2 on April 10, 21 and 25 (Surveys 1, 3 and 4). Data collected using a “SeaBird” CTD (source: Flaim & de Lange 2011). ......................................................... 51
Figure 18: Sediment sampling locations off the northeast coast of New Zealand (from Glasby et al. 1997). ... 55
Figure 19: Left: Predicted hotspots for habitat forming bryozoans (sum of all species examined) within the EEZ (from Woods et al. 2013). Right: Predicted distribution of Scleratinia corals (source: Anderson et al. 2014). . 58
Figure 20: Location of “Local environmental knowledge” areas from Coromandel north around the CDS (source: Jones 2016). ........................................................................................................................................ 59
Figure 21: Benthic sampling stations in the Bay of Plenty (source: Rosli et al. 2018). ..................................... 61
Figure 22: Location of fish sampling sites at 50, 100, 300, 500, 700, 900 and 1,200 m depth within the area of interest (Great Barrier Island (left) and White Island (right) locations from Zintzen et al. 2017). ....................... 62
Figure 23: Most abundant fish species in “Great Barrier” transects in Figure 22 (source - Zintzen et al. 2012). ............................................................................................................................................................................ 62
Figure 24: From top to bottom: Total fishing effort, bottom trawling, bottom long-line, Danish seining (source: MacDiarmid et al. 2017)...................................................................................................................................... 64
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Figure 25: From top to bottom: Total catch and fishing effort for hoki, gemfish, ling and scampi (source: MacDiarmid et al. 2017)...................................................................................................................................... 65
Figure 26: Distribution of black petrel during incubation (upper graphic) and during migration east 2008 (lower graphic) (source: Bell et al. 2014). ...................................................................................................................... 68
Figure 27: The ROMS model domains. A: Outer grid, with every 10th grid line shown. The thick black rectangle indicates the position of the inner grid shown in more detail in right figure. The two red points immediately north of the inner model indicate the position of the moorings described in Section 7.3.2. B: Inner grid, with every 10th grid line shown, red circle is CDS, black star within circle is release point, black square is region shown in Figure 30 onwards (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). ...................................................... 75
Figure 28: Key components of sediment disposal from a hopper barge (figure 3.28 from Flaim & de Lange 2011) (note, that the extent of the dispersed component shown in the figure is for illustration purposes only). 76
Figure 29: Transect 6 from a survey of light transmission % through the water column following a disposal event at the NDA (figure 3.76 from Flaim & de Lange 2011) (ADCP backscatter data is superimposed within the diagram, side graphic shows relative location of the survey tracks). ........................................................... 77
Figure 30: Near-surface (level 29) maximum TSS concentrations (mg/L) for key particle size classes (note that the scale is log-based such that -1 = 0.1 mg/L, -2 = 0.01 mg/L, -3 = 0.001 mg/L etc.) for 50th and 80th percentile (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). The red contour in both figures = 0.01 mg/L. ...................... 81
Figure 31: Maximum TSS concentrations (mg/L) for key particle size classes at about ~200 m depth (layer 14) (note that the scale is log-based such that -1 = 0.1 mg/L, -2 = 0.01 mg/L, -3 = 0.001 mg/L etc.) (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). The red contour in both figures = 0.01 mg/L. ...................................................... 81
Figure 32: Near-seabed maximum TSS concentrations (mg/L) for key particle size classes (note that the scale is log-based such that -1 = 0.1 mg/L, -2 = 0.01 mg/L, -3 = 0.001 mg/L etc.) (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). The red contour in both figures = 0.01 mg/L. No areas have concentrations of 0.1 mg/L........ 82
Figure 33: Near-surface maximum TSS concentrations (mg/L) for key particle size classes during 365 days of capital dredging disposal (note that the scale is log-based such that -1 = 0.1 mg/L, -2 = 0.01 mg/L, -3 = 0.001 mg/L etc.) (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). Black contour = 0.1 mg/L and red contour in both figures = 0.01 mg/L. ........................................................................................................................................................... 83
Figure 34: Maximum TSS concentrations (mg/L) at ~200 m depth for key particle size classes during 365 days of capital dredging disposal (note that the scale is log-based such that -1 = 0.1 mg/L, -2 = 0.01 mg/L, -3 = 0.001 mg/L etc.) (source: Macdonald & Richard 2018). The black contour at the dumping point = 0.1 mg/L and red contour in both figures = 0.01 mg/L. ...................................................................................................... 84
Figure 35: Near-seabed maximum TSS concentrations (mg/L) for key particle size classes during 365 days of capital dredging disposal (note that the scale is log-based such that -1 = 0.1 mg/L, -2 = 0.01 mg/L, -3 = 0.001 mg/L etc.) (source: Macdonald & Richard 2018). The red contour in both figures = 0.01 mg/L. There is no area with 0.1 mg/L. ............................................................................................................................................. 84
Figure 36: Summary of STFATE model assessments of dump site disposal under different cross-currents (source: Beca 2018a). ....................................................................................................................................... 89
Figure 37: Average bottom layer thickness (mm) for 50th and 80th percentile sediment class for inner model CDS domain arising from 86 days of maintenance dredging disposal. White contours are model bathymetry (metres). Black circle locates CDS perimeter. Distances X and Y (km) are relative to the CDS centre. Note that the colour bar scale is a logarithm to the base 10 scale, such that values of -1 and -2 equate to thicknesses of 0.1 and 0.01 mm and black and red contours are the 0.1 mm and 0.01 contours, respectively (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). ................................................................................................................ 90
Figure 38: Average bottom layer thickness (mm) for 50th and 80th percentile sediment class for INNER model CDS domain. White contours are model bathymetry (metres). Black circle locates CDS perimeter. Distances X and Y (km) are relative to the CDS centre. Note that the colour bar scale is a logarithm to the base 10 scale, such that values of -1 and -2 equate to thicknesses of 0.1 and 0.01 mm and black and red contours are the 0.1 mm and 0.01 contours, respectively (source: Macdonald & Rickard 2018). .......................................... 91
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Figure 41: Vessel tracks to and from the Hauraki Gulf over the period October 2011 to January 2012 (source: AC 2014). ............................................................................................................................................................ 99
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A Previous disposal Permits Granted for the Cuvier Disposal Site
APPENDIX B Bio-security Assessment
APPENDIX C Ministry of Primary Industries Bio-security Communications to Stakeholders
APPENDIX D Sediment Quality in the Port of Auckland
APPENDIX E Review of Alternatives to Disposal at Sea
APPENDIX F MacDiarmid et al. (2017) Review of Environmental Information within the Exclusive Economic Zone Near the Cuvier Disposal site
APPENDIX G Near-field Sediment Modelling Using STFATE (Beca 2018a)
APPENDIX H Far-field sediment modelling using Regional Ocean Modelling System (Macdonald & Rickard 2018)
APPENDIX I Dredging Management Plan (Beca 2018b)
APPENDIX J Disposal Management Plan (Beca 2018c)
APPENDIX K Limitations
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Abbreviations and Units
oC Degrees Celsius
µg Microgram
AC Auckland Council
ADCP Acoustic doppler current profiler
AHB Auckland Harbour Board
ANZECC Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council
ARC Auckland Regional Council
ARWB Auckland Regional Water Board
BCF Bio-concentration factor
BOMEC Broad benthic optimised marine environment classification
BSAF Bio-accumulation to sediment accumulation factor
bsl Below sea level
BT Bio-accumulation trigger
BWE Bledisloe Wharf east
BWW Bledisloe Wharf west
CCC Criterion continuous concentration
CCREM Canadian Council of Resource and Environment Ministers
CD Chart datum
CDS Cuvier Disposal site
CMA Coastal Marine Area
CTD Conductivity, temperature and density
d Day
DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
DGV Default guideline values for sediment quality (ANZECC 2018)
DiMP Disposal Management Plan
DMMO Dredged Material Management Office
DMMU Dredging material management unit
DMP Dredging Management Plan
DOAG Disposal Options Advisory Group
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DoC Department of Conservation
dw Dry weight
EAUC East Auckland Current
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMP S Environmental Management Plan: Stormwater
EPA Environmental Protection Authority
ER-L Effects range low
ER-M Effects range median
ERDC U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
FWE Freyberg Wharf east
FWW Freyberg Wharf west
FTU Formazin turbidity unit
g Gram
gamma-BHC Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane
Golder Golder Associates (NZ) Limited
GV-high Upper guideline values for sediment quality (ANZECC 2018)
ha Hectare
hr Hour
Hs Wave height (significant)
JWE Jellicoe Wharf east
JWW Jellicoe Wharf west
kg Kilogram
km Kilometre
km2 Square kilometre
kn knot, nautical mile per hour
Kow Octanol-water partition coefficient
L Litre
m Metre
M million
m2 Square metre
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m3 Cubic metre
MD Maintenance dredging
MHRSS Marine High-Risk Site Surveillance
mg milligram
mg Sn/m3 milligrams (expressed as tin) per cubic metre (of water)
mm millimetre
MoT Ministry of Transport
MPI Ministry of Primary Industries
MSA Maritime Safety Authority (New Zealand)
NABIS National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System
NDA Northern Disposal Area
ng nanogram
NHMRC National Health Medical Research Council
NIS Non-indigenous species
NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
NP Navigation Precinct
NRDS North Rangitoto Disposal site
NTU Nephelometric turbidity unit
OCP Organochlorine pesticides
PAH Polyaromatic hydrocarbon
Panuku Panuku Developments Auckland
PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl
POAL Ports of Auckland Limited
POP Persistent organic compound
PSU Practical salinity unit
PWE princes Wharf east
PWW Princes Wharf west
QWE Queens Wharf east
QWW Queens Wharf west
ROMS Regional Ocean Modelling System
s Second
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Sn Tin
SOP Standard operating procedure
STFATE Short-term FATE
t Ton
TBT Tributyltin
TEU Twenty-foot equivalent
TN Total nitrogen
TNC Threatened, nationally critical
TOC Total organic carbon
TPH Total petroleum hydrocarbons
TSS Total suspended solids
µg/kg milligrams per kilogram (sediment)
µg Sn/kg micrograms (expressed as tin) per kilogram
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
WWE Wynyard Wharf east
y Year
yd3 Cubic yard
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) is applying to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a permit
authorising the dumping of dredged material from the Port of Auckland (the Port). The dredged material
proposed to be dumped would consist of maintenance and capital dredging material. POAL is applying for a
permit to dump the dredged material to the designated offshore disposal site located east of Cuvier Island.
POAL engaged Golder Associates (NZ) Limited (Golder) to prepare this Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) to support the Application. This EIA provides an overview of the project description including the source
of the dredged sediment to be disposed, an assessment of the biosecurity risks and sediment quality within
the Port, outlines the alternatives to marine dumping, an assessment of the effects of the sediment dumping at
the Cuvier Disposal Site (CDS), and outlines the dredging and disposal management practices to be
implemented during the disposal activities.
Section 1.2 presents the context of dredging in the Port. Section 1.3 presents the dredging areas covered by
this assessment. Section 1.4 sets out the assessment contents and the structure of this document.
1.2 Dredging in the Port of Auckland
POAL operates the Port. To operate the port effectively, POAL needs to maintain the notified water depths
within the port.
The port is located in the lower Waitemata Harbour adjacent to the Auckland City central business district
(Figure 1). It was established in 1840. The port has 12 wharfs and received 1,572 ship visits in 2017. The
notified depths (typically 10 to 13 metres (m) at berth) allow vessels visiting the Port to berth safely. As the
port basins are sheltered from the main channel and tidal currents of the Waitemata Harbour, they act as
settling basins and accumulate fine sediment (mostly mud) over time. Sediment accumulation varies
throughout the Port, ranging from 30 millimetres (mm) to 200 mm a year. In order to maintain the required
water depths in each basin, the accumulated sediment requires dredging on a regular basis.
Maintenance dredging is currently undertaken in accordance with two resource consent granted by Auckland
Council (AC). These are:
Permit 34673 to dredge a maximum of 175,000 m3 of sediment every five years and an average of 35,000 m3 of sediment annually from the seabed [within the Auckland Port Management Area] (Figure 2).
The permit was granted on 15 August 2007 and expired 31 August 2027
R/REG/2016/3946 to undertake maintenance dredging within the Waitemata Navigation Channel Precinct, Auckland (Figure 3). The permit was granted on 20 November 2016 and expired on 20
November 2036.
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Figure 1: Location of Ports of Auckland in the Waitemata Harbour (upper image from Auckland City Masterplan).
Figure 2: Location of the areas of Port maintenance dredging.
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1.3 Dredging Areas Covered by this Assessment
This document provides supporting information for the Application by Ports of Auckland to Environment
Protection Authority for disposal of dredged material at the designated Cuvier Disposal Site from:
The areas of the Port Precincts of the Unitary Plan covered by Permit 34673 to undertake maintenance dredging (Figure 2), excluding specified area identified in the DMP which are identified as unlikely to
meet contamination requirements for marine disposal (these areas are described further in Section
5.3.16 and the DMP). At the time of this application this includes:
the west side of Jellicoe Wharf;
the west side of the Western Reclamation;
the Inner Viaduct Harbour; and
areas within 20 m of designated stormwater outfalls within the port.
The area in the Navigation Precinct in the Unitary Plan covered by Permit 16/3946 to undertake maintenance dredging (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Location of the Navigation Precinct.
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This document also sets the framework for the disposal of capital dredging which is not covered by the two
current AC permits to undertake dredging. A separate resource consent will be sought from AC for specific
capital dredging works. As described in the POAL 30-year Masterplan1 , POAL considers it will need to
deepen the navigation channel by between one to two metres within the next 10 years to cater for the
increased size of vessels servicing New Zealand. In total POAL expects to dispose around 2 M m3 to 2.2 M
m3 of capital dredging material within the life of the consent to dump being applied for. Deepening would
involve removing high points from the channel and possibly widening some corners. Currently, the channel is
12.5 m deep at low-tide and around 15.5 m at high-tide.
1.4 Assessment Contents
This assessment has been prepared by Golder Associates (NZ) Limited for Ports of Auckland Limited. It
presents supporting information in relation to the dumping of maintenance and capital dredging material to the
designated offshore dredged material disposal site east of Cuvier Island. The structure of this assessment is
as follows:
Section 2.0 provides an overview of key elements of New Zealand dredged material dumping regulations.
Section 3.0 provides information on the proposed dredging at the Port and a summary of the methods used to undertake the required work.
Section 4.0 provides an overview of the biosecurity assessment undertaken to meet the requirements of the Permit.
Section 5.0 sets out information on the physical and chemical characteristics of sediment to be dredged.
Section 6.0 provides an overview of alternatives to disposal at sea.
Section 7.0 describes the physical and natural environment at the disposal site and within the adjacent Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Section 8.0 steps through the environmental assessment process utilizing the sediment quality information provided in Section 5.
Section 9.0 provides a summary of stakeholder engagement undertaken.
Section 10.0 provides an overview of dredging and disposal management.
Section 11.0 presents a summary and conclusions.
Supporting information is provided in the following appendices:
Appendix A – Previous disposal permits granted for the Cuvier Disposal site.
Appendix B – Biosecurity assessment.
Appendix C – Ministry of Primary Industries biosecurity communications to stakeholders.
Appendix D – Sediment quality in the Port.
Appendix E – Review of alternatives to disposal at sea.
1 http://www.masterplan.poal.co.nz/
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Appendix F – MacDiarmid et al. (2017) review of environmental information within the Exclusive Economic Zone near the Cuvier Disposal site.
Appendix G – Near field sediment modelling using short-term fate (Beca 2018a).
Appendix H – Far-field sediment modelling using Regional Ocean Modelling System (Macdonald & Rickard 2018).
Appendix I – Dredging Management Plan (Beca 2018b).
Appendix J– Disposal Management Plan (Beca 2018c).
2.0 DREDGED MATERIAL DUMPING REGULATIONS
2.1 Overview
The dumping of waste in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is managed by the Environmental
Protection Authority (EPA) under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf Act (EEZ Act) and the
Discharge and Dumping Regulations. New Zealand is a signatory to the 1996 London Protocol to the
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972.
2.2 Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects – Discharge and Dumping) Regulations 2015
Under section 10 of the Regulations, the discharge of sediments, other than a discharge that is permitted by
Regulation 7, 8 or 9 or prohibited by regulation, is classified as a discretionary activity under the EEZ Act.
Table 1 summarises the requirements under Part 5 and Part 6 relating to the dumping of dredged material.
Table 1: Part 5 and Part 6 requirements.
Clause Regulations text
Part 5 Provisions relating to dumping
32 - Dumping in authorised
location classified as non-
notified activity
Dumping in an authorised location of any of the following is classified as a
non-notified activity under the Act:
(a) dredged material.
33 - Dumping classified as
discretionary activity
Dumping of any of the following is classified as a discretionary activity
under the Act:
(a) dredged material, unless the activity is classified under regulation 32
as a non-notified activity under the Act.
Part 6 Miscellaneous provisions: Impact assessments
35 - Matters that must be
included in impact assessment
for marine discharge consent
In addition to the matters required under section 39 of the Act, an impact
assessment included in an application for a marine discharge consent
must describe the effects on human health of the activity.
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2015/0228/latest/link.aspx?search=qs_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_discharge+and+dumping+regulations_resel_25_h&p=1&id=DLM6593985#DLM6593985http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2015/0228/latest/link.aspx?search=qs_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_discharge+and+dumping+regulations_resel_25_h&p=1&id=DLM3956190#DLM3956190
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Clause Regulations text
36 - Matters that must be
included in impact assessment
for marine dumping consent
In addition to the matters required under section 39 of the Act, an impact
assessment included in an application for a marine dumping consent
must—
(a) describe the effects on human health of the activity; and
(b) describe any alternative method of disposal that could be used; and
(c) specify any practical opportunities to re-use, recycle, or treat the
waste.
2.3 Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012
Under Section 38 of the EEZ Act, any application to EPA for a marine consent, a marine discharge consent, or
a marine dumping consent to undertake a discretionary activity, must include an impact assessment prepared
in accordance with section 39 and any requirements prescribed in regulations. Table 2 sets out the
requirements identified in Section 39 of the Act and identifies the relevant section within this impact
assessment that the material is provided.
Table 2: Section 39 requirements and relevant section of this Impact Assessment.
Section 39 requirements text EIA
section
(1) An impact assessment must—
(a) describe the activity (or activities) for which consent is sought; and 1.0
(b) describe the current state of the area where it is proposed that the activity will be
undertaken and the environment surrounding the area; and 7.0
(c) identify persons whose existing interests are likely to be adversely affected by the
activity; and Application*
(d) identify the effects of the activity on the environment and existing interests
(including cumulative effects and effects that may occur in New Zealand or in the
sea above or beyond the continental shelf beyond the outer limits of the exclusive
economic zone); and
8.15, 8.16
Application
(e) identify the effects of the activity on the biological diversity and integrity of marine
species, ecosystems, and processes; and 8.0
(f) identify the effects of the activity on rare and vulnerable ecosystems and habitats of
threatened species; and 8.0
(g) describe any consultation undertaken with persons described in paragraph (c) and
specify those persons who have given written approval to the activity; and
Application*
9.0
(h) include copies of any written approvals to the activity; and NA
(i) specify any possible alternative locations for, or methods for undertaking, the
activity that may avoid, remedy, or mitigate any adverse effects; and 6.0
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2015/0228/latest/link.aspx?search=qs_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_discharge+and+dumping+regulations_resel_25_h&p=1&id=DLM3956190#DLM3956190
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Section 39 requirements text EIA
section
(j) specify the measures that could be taken to avoid, remedy, or mitigate the adverse
effects identified (including measures that the applicant intends to take). 6.0
(2) An impact assessment must also
(a) if it relates to an application for a marine discharge consent, describe the effects of
the activity on human health.
NA
(b) if it relates to an application for a marine dumping consent,—
(i) describe the effects of the activity on human health; and 8.14
(ii) specify any practical opportunities to re-use, recycle, or treat the waste or other
matter: 6.0
(c) if it relates to any other application, describe the effects on human health that may
arise from the effects of the activity on the environment. 8.0
(3) An impact assessment must contain the information required under subsections (1) and
(2) in
(a) such detail as corresponds to the scale and significance of the effects that the
activity may have on the environment and existing interests; and
8.0
(b) sufficient detail to enable the Environmental Protection Authority and persons
whose existing interests are or may be affected to understand the nature of the
activity and its effects on the environment and existing interests.
8.0
(4) The impact assessment complies with subsections (1)(c) to (f) and (2) if the
Environmental Protection Authority is satisfied that the applicant has made a reasonable
effort to identify the matters described in those provisions.
-
(5) The measures that must be specified under subsection (1)(j) include any measures
required by another marine management regime and any measures required by or
under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 that may have the effect of avoiding,
remedying, or mitigating the adverse effects of the activity on the environment or existing
interests.
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Notes: * Stakeholder engagement information is provided in the Application document.
2.4 Dumping Location
Dumping of material at sea is allowed if authorised by a marine consent. There are five existing dumping
grounds in the EEZ and these are the preferred locations for dumping of waste (dredged sediment is classified
as waste under the EEZ Act). Dumping in the EEZ outside of these areas is possible, but any such proposal
requires a greater level of impact assessment and justification as to why existing sites cannot be used. The
Auckland site (referred to as the Cuvier Disposal site – CDS) is a circle of four nautical miles radius (7.4
kilometres (km)) centred on position 36° 28’ S 176° 20’ E (27 nautical miles east of Cuvier Island) (Figure 4).
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Figure 4: Location of the CDS.
2.5 Past Disposal at the CDS
No published information has been identified describing the history and use of the CDS for the dumping of
munitions and other waste. During the period following the second world war and up to 1958, Wilkes (1993)
reported that a total of 19,500 tons (t) of ammunition were dumped at explosives sites around New Zealand.
A proportion of that total, from stockpiles in Auckland and Ngaruawahia, were dumped in the Hauraki Gulf
(presumed to be the CDS) although shallow dumping did occur, as noted below.
The current ammunition dumping sites within the EEZ were regulated in 1955. Prior to that, explosives
dumping in the Auckland region had occurred in shallower waters within the Hauraki Gulf (between Tiritiri
Matangi Island and The Noises in position 36° 38’S., 174° 57’E).
Information is available for permits granted by Maritime New Zealand (up to 2000) and for consents granted
by EPA since 2000. No documented information for dumping activity prior to 2000, including information on
munitions disposal at the CDS, has been located.
The CDS was also used for the dumping of 250,000 m3 of dredged material (mainly sandstone) during the
development of the inner Viaduct Basin for the Americas Cup over the period 1997 to 1999.
Appendix A provides a summary of all permits granted for dumping at the CDS since 2000. The dumping
activity since 2000 has included three permits for vessel disposal (two barges and a steel pontoon used in
military exercises) and three permits for the dumping of mortal remains. All other permits have been for the
disposal of sediment. Nearly all have been for the dumping of dredged sediment with most of that being
maintenance dredging from marinas located in the Auckland area. As summarised in Table 3, dredged
sediment from Westpark Marina and Pine Harbour Marina has been disposed at this site in most years since
2000.
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Table 3: Summary of recent dumping activity at the CDS since 2000.
Year Westpark Marina* Pine Harbour Marina Other dumping activity
2000 x North Shore City Council (Rosedale outfall dredging)
2002 x x Matiatia wharf
2003 x x Sensation Yachts
2004 x
2005 x
2006 x x Orakei Marina
2007 x x
2008 x x Bayswater Marina
2009 x x
2010 x x Maraetai Boating Club
2011 x x
2012 x x
2013 x
2014 x Bayswater Marina (2014-2015)
2015 x x
2016 x
Notes: Information provided by EPA. * Now called Hobsonville Marina.
3.0 PORTS OF AUCKLAND FACILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND DREDGING
3.1 The Port of Auckland
The Port of Auckland was ‘established’ with the construction of Wynyard Pier in 1851 followed by the first
Queens Street wharf in 1852 (Barr 1926). The Auckland Harbour Board (AHB) was established in 1871 and
POAL took over from the AHB in 1989. The Port of Auckland is 100 % owned by AC through Auckland
Council Investments Limited.
Dredging undertaken by AHB was disposed at the North Rangitoto Spoil ground. Prior to 1988, consent to
dispose was required through Ministry of Transport (MoT) dumping permit application. From 1987 to 1988,
following discussions with the Auckland Regional Water Board (ARWB) the AHB applied for water rights to
dispose of dredged sediment at the North Rangitoto site. The ARWB special tribunal approved dumping to
the North Rangitoto site in December 1988. MoT then granted dumping permits under the Marine Pollution
Act for 1 January 1989 to 31 December 1989.
POAL applied for, and was granted, a consent by Auckland Regional Council (ARC) to dispose of dredged
sediment from the port at a new dumping site in the Hauraki Gulf in 1990. Following the dumping, an
independent review of disposal alternatives was undertaken (Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment (PCE) 1995). Following that review, POAL commenced disposal of maintenance dredging from
throughout the Port into the Fergusson Container Terminal reclamation in 2004 (as mudcrete). Disposal has
continued into the reclamation as of August 2018 (Figure 5).
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Figure 5: Port of Auckland Fergusson Container Terminal reclamation works.
3.2 Port Wharfs and Facilities
Port of Auckland wharfs (from west to east) are:
Wynyard Wharf on the west side of Viaduct Basin has historically been used for the handling of bulk liquids, including chemicals and liquids storage. The commissioning of the Marsden Point to Wiri
pipeline in 1985 eliminated (80 % reduction) the import of bulk diesel and ‘motor spirits’ across the wharf.
The southern end of Wynyard Wharf has also been used for the movement of cement, sand and shingle.
Ferry cargo for the Hauraki Gulf is also handled in this area. It is intended that the southern section of
Wynyard Wharf is to be redeveloped into a marina as part of proposed AC36 developments (application
has been lodged with AC). The land behind the wharf is currently used for bulk petroleum, and related
liquids and storage. These industries are being decommissioned as part of land-side developments for
AC36 and the longer-term development of Wynyard Point Park by Panuku Development Auckland
(Panuku).
Hobson Wharf and the Viaduct Basin have multi-purpose berthing uses including recreational, large vessel and commercial tourism berthing. This area has been used for the Americas Cup and Round the
World Race fleets.
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Princes Wharf which is used for residential apartments and as a cruise ship terminal. An easement around the edge wharf provides for emergency services and ship berthing (such as when cruise ships
visit). Passenger vessels berth on the east side of the wharf.
Princes-Queens basin below the old ferry building is utilised by a variety of passenger ferry services, charter and tourism operators.
Queens Wharf which is now owned and administered by Panuku and is utilised for cruise ship berthing.
Captain Cook Wharf is used for roll-on roll-off vehicle carriers and Marsden Wharf is too small for modern ships and is in the process of being removed.
Bledisloe Terminal is used principally for roll-on roll-off vehicle carriers.
Jellicoe Wharf has historically been used for the fruit trade and vehicle imports but is now used for the Pacific Island container trade, cement and bulk (steel and timber etc). In the past this included
phosphate rock.
Freyberg Wharf has two berths and handles a variety of cargo including bulk cargo such as gypsum.
Fergusson Terminal which is currently a container terminal developed in stages from the 1960s and handles the larger container ships.
3.3 Stormwater
POAL manages stormwater generated within the Port via the Environmental Management Plan: Stormwater
(EMP-S) (POAL 2018). The focus of the Port’s EMP-S is on source control and operational and management
practices, supported by structural measures for specific activities and/or high-risk activities which together
reduce the potential for stormwater-borne contaminants to be discharged into the harbour. The EMP-S is a
requirement of the resource consent (Consent 25179) issued (by AC in February 2010) for stormwater
discharges from the Port east of Captain Cook Wharf. The plan is a living document, which is reviewed
annually to ensure ongoing relevance.
The Port areas draining into the harbour equates to approximately 90 hectares (ha). Stormwater falling on the
Port will enter the Waitemata Harbour Coastal Marine Area (CMA) in one of two ways, namely:
1) Collected and discharged through POAL’s stormwater system, which comprises of slot drains, channels,
catch pits and underground pipework and outfalls, or into a stormwater pipe owned and operated by AC.
2) The stormwater falls through the wharf structure and runs off directly into the CMA.
Table 4 provides a summary of the activities undertaken at the port wharfs and the cargo/material handled at
them along with the environmental controls that put in place for each activity.
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Table 4: Port of Auckland wharf activity and product handling contamination risks summary.
Product/Material Controls Procedures
Dry bulk and breakbulk cargo
Discharge of dry cargo.
Organic material
(e.g., timber).
Inorganic material
(e.g., cement).
Wide variety of ship to
shore conveyance
protection, sweeper
truck, filter socks at
catchpits etc.
Includes wind restrictions,
checks and wharf cleaning,
spill procedures.
Wharf stockpiled
materials include
gypsum, silica
sand, iron sand
(export), calcite and
shredded scrap
steel.
Dust control equipment.
Specific controls (standard
operating procedures (SOPs))
in place for handling of all bulk
products including iron sand
and scrap steel.
Container handling and equipment
Discharge of shipping
containers (Fergusson
and, Multi Cargo).
Containers
transport/contain a
variety of products.
Containers are not
unpacked within
port.
In the event of a
container being
damaged, a variety of
controls and equipment
are in place to manage
any material lost from
container.
SOPs for specific activities.
Crane washing
Greases, oils,
hydrocarbons,
hydraulic fluid, and
organics
(biodegradable
detergents).
Temporary bunds
Waste disposal containers
SOP 10 – Plant and Equipment Washing
Waste management and disposal
Waste generated from
workshops, facilities and
office.
Oils, metals,
solvents, organic
waste, litter
Permanent stormwater
treatment devices -
workshop / refuel
areas
Discharges to Tradewaste from
wash pads / wash
facilities
Waste recycling bins – scrap steel,
waste oil, batteries,
Waste segregation
Used battery segregation and disposal
Waste management contract including
collection and disposal of
skips and recycling
materials. Sweeping and
litter collection contract –
includes manual
collection of litter /
dunnage and routine
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Product/Material Controls Procedures
paper, cardboard,
organic material
Spill kits
vehicle sweeping of
berths and roadways
Workshop activities
Discharge to stormwater
system from workshop.
Organic, inorganic
(hydrocarbons,
minerals).
Workshop Stormceptor
treatment device, spill
kits, tray bunds, sealed
containers.
Container cleaning
Discharge from shipping
container cleaning to
trade waste system.
Organics and
inorganics, oily
wastes, greases,
debris, detergents
etc.
Cleaning undertaken at
dedicated wash. Wash
water treated and
discharged as trade
waste.
General port use
Discharge from port
pavements and wharfs
to stormwater system or
harbour.
Dust, sediment,
litter, contaminants.
Sand filters on
Fergusson Extension,
sweeper truck, general
waste skip bins,
cardboard waste skip
bins, scrap metal skip
bins.
SOP 5 – Waste Handling and
Disposal.
SOP 14 – Sweeping and Gross
Litter Collection.
The Port also accommodates several discrete activities with greater potential for discharge of contaminant-
affected stormwater, these include:
Engineering workshop where Port plant is maintained.
Refuelling areas for Port plant and vehicles.
Bulk materials handling.
Container and vehicle cleaning areas.
POAL operates a range of on-site treatment systems to improve water quality of runoff from a high-risk area
prior to discharge to the Waitemata Harbour. Table 4 identifies Port activities and their potential for discharge
of contaminant-affected stormwater. Holcim commenced operation of a cement facility at the Port in 2016.
Holcim has obtained a separate Industrial Trade Activity / stormwater discharge consents for the facility. The
Holcim facility is not covered by POAL’s stormwater discharge consent (No. 25179).
POAL (2018) provides an inventory of all outfalls discharging to the Waitemata Harbour that drain impervious
areas within the Port. There are also a series of major stormwater outfalls that discharge stormwater drainage
from the Auckland central business district catchments behind the Port (Table 5). The location of these
outfalls is shown in the DMP (Beca 2018b)
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Table 5: Major Auckland Council stormwater outfalls within Port of Auckland.
Pipe ref. Diameter (mm) Location
75 225 Princes Wharf.
77 Multiple 1,000 Ferry pontoons.
78 1,200 Queens Wharf.
79 1,800 x 1200 Captain Cook Wharf.
79a 3,000 x 2650 Between Captain Cook and Marsden Wharfs.
80 1,600 West side of Bledisloe Terminal.
85 375 Base of Bledisloe Terminal B1.
86 375 Between Bledisloe Terminal and Jellicoe Wharf.
87 1,600 Base of Jellicoe Wharf.
88 300 Base of Jellicoe Wharf.
89 225 Immediately west of Freyberg Wharf.
93 1050 West side, base of Fergusson Terminal.
Note: Pipe numbers refer to stormwater outfall designations in POAL (2018).
POAL has trade waste permits from Watercare Services Limited (Watercare) for a range of operations that
discharge to sewer (trade waste). This includes straddle carrier wash facility, Fergusson Container wash
facility, Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) wash facility, Fryberg Wharf wash facility and the engineering
wash facility.
3.4 Port Dredging
3.4.1 Introduction
A summary of dredging undertaken in the Port prior to 1989 and future dredging needed at that time was
presented in POAL (1989). Early dredging in the Port in the 1800s and early 1900s was utilised for the
construction of various reclamations within the city.
3.4.2 Maintenance dredging
Maintenance dredging is required within the Port to ensure that notified depths are provided for visiting
vessels. In the 1970s and 1980s, maintenance dredging was irregular but as shown below in more recent
years has been carried out on a regular basis resulting in more consistent volumes of sedime