Table 2 Potential sources of impacts and risks Environmental impact or risk Description Potential sources of impact or risk: design and construction activities Potential sources of impact or risk: operational activities Water quality The primary water quality impact from port activity is increased turbidity. Other impacts may include: Increased pollutant contamination Nutrient input Disturbance of acid sulphate soils. Declines in water quality may have a significant impact on MNES by, for example, adversely affecting habitat critical for the survival of the species such as seagrass and corals; or altering species behaviours such as disrupting the breeding cycle of a population; or reducing the area of occupancy of the species. Note: the Sea Dumping Act takes a ‘whole of environment’ interest in relation to water quality impacts. Dredging and dredge spoil disposal Erosion and runoff from earthworks Pile driving Potential leakage or spills of contaminants Garbage Reclamation Land and marine based vegetation clearing Dust (e.g. wind erosion of exposed areas; from the transport of materials) Stormwater Turbidity caused by ship anchoring and ship movements (including Maintenance dredging Waste and effluent discharge (including ballast water) Bilge water discharge Antifouling paints Sewage, sludge and oil spills Garbage Hazardous cargo Dust from transporting, loading and storing materials (especially coal) Noise pollution and vibration Increased noise (variable or continuous) can disturb terrestrial and marine species and affect their behaviour, including breeding or foraging. Traffic Equipment (generators, alarms etc.) Pile-driving Dredging Reclamation Traffic (including ship engines) Operation of machinery (including conveyors and alarms, fans, cranes, vehicles) Maintenance dredging Light pollution Increased light sources can affect species behaviour (e.g. marine turtle nesting). Temporary lighting Permanent lighting, particularly on jetties/berths, conveyors and walkways Increased vessel lighting Aesthetic Port infrastructure and activities may impact on the aesthetic values of an area. This is particularly relevant Design of on-shore port infrastructure (height and design of buildings, landscaping etc.) Increased ship traffic Offshore anchorages Stockpiles of
under the EPBC Act if the port is in a World Heritage Area listed for its aesthetic values (e.g. Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area). Location– visibility from land/water Off-shore port infrastructure (jetty/berth) materials Port lighting at night Coastal processes and hydrology Port infrastructure can result in barriers to riverine and estuarine flow, beach erosion and changes to sediment deposition, tidal flow and drainage. This can impact on MNES through barriers to species movement, alterations to habitat and changes to water quality. Construction of sea walls, breakwaters or other barriers Trestles Dredging Reclamation Maintenance dredging Air quality In addition to dust, other air quality impacts may have an impact on human health and amenity and come from emissions from ships and port equipment. Note: Air quality has limited relevance to MNES. Emissions from construction equipment Odours Emissions from port, waterfront industries and ships (diesel particulate matter, sulphur and nitrogen oxides etc.) Volatile organic compounds from loading and unloading of petroleum products Odours Direct ecosystem impacts Direct impacts on ecosystem functioning and integrity, including individual species (e.g. direct physical injury, removal or mortality) Dredging and dredge spoil disposal Vegetation clearing Reclamation Habitat removal and fragmentation. Collision with vessels Entanglement with infrastructure Ship anchoring Maintenance dredging Invasive species Introduction of new invasive species in marine or terrestrial environments could result in substantial impacts to MNES through competition for resources, predation or disease. Increased susceptibility of terrestrial areas to invasive species incursion due to vegetation clearing and edge effects Ballast water discharge Biofouling. Identifying best practice environmental standards International best practice for managing the environmental impacts outlined in Table 2 was identified through a literature review and case studies of ports displaying advanced environmental management or standards.