Table E1: Values of each of the ports World Heritage Area values with the potential to be impacted Cairns Townsville Abbot Point Hay Point Gladstone Inner Gladstone Outer Seabed habitat and benthic diversity Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity benthos, adjacent seagrass Low potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity benthos, with seagrass Low potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity benthos, adjacent seagrass Low potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity benthos, seagrass Low potential for impact Rocky reefal habitat, moderate diversity benthos, adjacent seagrass Moderate potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity benthos, near seagrass Low potential for impact Coral reefs Adjacent anchorage Moderate potential for impact Adjacent anchorage High potential for impact At distance from anchorage Low potential for impact Adjacent anchorage High potential for impact Adjacent anchorage Moderate potential for impact At distance from anchorage Low potential for impact Wetlands and mangroves Adjacent key habitats Moderate potential for impact At distance from key habitats Low potential for impact Adjacent key habitats Moderate potential for impact Adjacent key habitats High potential for impact Adjacent key habitats Moderate potential for impact Adjacent key habitats Moderate potential for impact
Megafauna Anchorage adjacent to species habitat Low potential for impact Anchorage overlaps with species habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage overlaps with species habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage overlaps with species habitat High potential for impact Anchorage adjacent species habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage adjacent species habitat Moderate potential for impact Avifauna transiting the area – migratory and wetland species Anchorage adjacent key habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage at distance from key habitat Low potential for impact Anchorage adjacent key habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage adjacent key habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage adjacent key habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage at distance from key habitat Low potential for impact Aesthetic value and human uses of the area Anchorage within 2 km of Yarrabah Aboriginal community High potential for impact Anchorage within 2 km of Magnetic Island High potential for impact Anchorage approximately 30 km from Bowen Low potential for impact Anchorage <10 km from Sarina Moderate potential for impact Anchorage within 2 km of Gladstone High potential for impact Anchorage approximately 20 km from Gladstone Low potential for impact
Table 31: Summary of desktop sources that informed the likelihood of occurrence assessment of the anchorage areas at each of the five major ports Source and name Description of information source Desktop search extent Limitation of use DSEWPaC Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC 2012b) The PMST identifies MNES and other matters protected by the EPBC Act that may occur within or relate to anchorage areas. The tool predicts the potential presence of a species/ecological community in an area based on bioclimatic modelling, known distribution and habitat preferences (the species that are listed as either threatened or migratory under the EPBC Act are provided in Appendix A). The latitude and longitude coordinates of the top right and bottom left corners of a bordered area were used to designate the anchorage areas to be searched. The area was based on GPS coordinates identified in (table 12). As the search area is considered to be conservative (refer section ) no buffer zone was added. This is a predictive tool only – it does not necessarily indicate that a species or ecological community occurs in a defined area. Presence of a species or ecological community is predicted based on a combination of bioclimatic modelling, known distribution and habitat preferences. In predicting species or community presence, it allows for desktop research efforts to be targeted. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) Wildlife Online database (DEHP 2012) The DEHP Wildlife Online database maintains a catalogue of animal and plant species records from specific localities across Queensland. As well as common species, records of animals and plants listed as threatened under the EPBC Act are contained within the database. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the top right and bottom left corners of a bordered area were used to designate the anchorage areas to be searched. The area was based on GPS coordinates identified in (table 12). As the search area is considered to be conservative (refer section ) no buffer zone was added. This database catalogues known records of species in a defined area. DEHP recommend that independent verification of records should be undertaken to inform the accuracy and completeness of information catalogued within this database (i.e. PMST and desktop research).
Queensland Museum Queensland Museum Zoology Data Search (Queensland Museum 2012) The Queensland Museum catalogues fish and crustacean specimen records obtained throughout Queensland. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the top right and bottom left corners of a bordered area were used to designate anchorage areas to be searched. The area was based on GPS coordinates identified in (table 12). As the search area is considered to be conservative (refer section ) no buffer zone was added. This database catalogues known records of species in a defined area. The age and lack of spatial precision of species records may limit their value for inclusion in current studies in some instances. Ramsar Ramsar List of Wetlands (Ramsar 2012) The Ramsar List of Wetlands identifies wetlands of international importance. A search for wetlands within the vicinity of anchorage areas was conducted. NA - this mapping identifies the location of wetlands that satisfy at least one criterion agreed upon by the Ramsar Convention. DSEWPaC Directory of Important Wetlands (DIWA) (Environment Australia 2001) The DIWA identifies nationally important wetlands. The DSEWPaC PMST (see above) lists nationally important wetlands occurring within or related to prescribed search extents. A search for wetlands within the vicinity of the anchorage areas was conducted. NA - this mapping identifies the location of wetlands that satisfy at least one criterion agreed upon by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) Wetlands Network in 1994. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and CHRIS is a resource centre for Queensland coastal fish habitat, fisheries resources and environmental Grid numbers from the interactive map of the CHRIS website were used to guide Fisheries data is not available for recent years, only prior to 2005. However, fishery type is
Forestry (DAFF) Coastal Habitat Resources Information System (CHRIS) (DAFF 2012) datasets (layers) which facilitates monitoring of the condition and trend of coastal fisheries habitats. searches of commercial fishery types at the assessed anchorages areas. not considered to have changed dramatically within the regions assessed. CSIRO Seabed Biodiversity data (Pitcher et al. 2007) From 2003 to 2006, the Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park. Information reported by the project was reviewed to provide content of relevance to each anchorage area’s geography. This database catalogues known records of species from the seabed in a defined area.
fishery. Line fisheries operating across the anchorage area target transient Spanish mackerel (DAFF 2012). Figure 38: Patchy seagrass identified in benthic assessments and Australian snubfin dolphins observed within the Abbot Point port (GHD 2010) The MNES and World Heritage Area values considered to occur at the Port of Abbot Point anchorage area are outlined in . The anchorage area is characterised by open seabed with patchily distributed benthic fauna and flora. The anchorage area does not support unique features or habitats requiring a higher level of management protection, as reflected by the Marine Park General Use Zoning of the anchorage. Species represented are not unique and are well represented locally in the geography outside of the anchorage area. presents a conceptual visualisation of the sensitive marine environments, as well as potential cultural, social or heritage values, for the Port of Abbot Point anchorage.
including those containing threatened species of OUV from the point of view of science or conservation. Inshore dolphins Humpback whales Loggerhead turtles Green turtles Seabirds Island plant species crocodiles, and the six species of turtle known to occur in the Reef. No habitat critical to the survival of these species’ is present within the anchorage area although the seabed environ of the area is part of a matrix of important coastal habitats for these species and seagrass feeding habitat does occur at the anchorage area. Indirect impacts to such species transiting the anchorage area may occur (e.g. noise impacts resulting in displacement or altered behaviour from light impacts). As noted above, the anchorage area supports a low prevalence of inshore cnidarians but does not support coral reefs. Inshore fringing reefs of higher diversity are adjacent the anchorage area (Victor Islet, and Round and Flat Top Islands). The anchorage area does not provide significant habitat value for seabird populations although they are likely accessed by seabirds for feeding or during transit. No islands occur within the anchorage area (Prudhoe and Derwent Island border the area) and, therefore, no island plants are considered to be associated with the anchorage area. The anchorage area is, however, adjacent inshore coastal islands.
marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. Aboriginal Sea Country the geography outside of the anchorage area. Solitary hard corals are present within the anchorage area and the inner anchorage area supports some rocky reef habitat. Significant reef systems integral to the ecological functioning of the Reef are not a feature of the anchorage area. The anchorage area does not support unique features or habitats requiring a higher level of management protection, as reflected by the Marine Park General Use Zoning of the anchorage. No islands occur within the anchorage area and, therefore, no island plants are associated with the anchorage area. The anchorage area is, however, adjacent inshore coastal islands (Facing, Quoin and South Tree Island). Indigenous community links to the anchorage area has been recognised as being present. The anchorage area may support totem species (primarily dugong and marine turtles). Contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. Water clarity Scenic vistas Visible from space Complex string of reef structures Unparalleled aerial panorama of seascapes Globally important breeding colonies of seabirds Marine waters within the anchorage area are subject to significant variation in clarity due to natural seasonal variability of conditions. The anchorage area is located coastally and subject to freshwater inundation, including from riverine outflows. This is reflected in the high prevalence of terrigenous and fine sediments (vs coralline sands). The anchorage area is located adjacent to residential centres, and in close proximity to land, providing opportunity for appreciation of the aesthetic beauty of the Reef. The scenic features surrounding the anchorage area could be considered remarkable, exceptional or unique in the context of the World Heritage Area listing, in terms of scenic vistas, when viewed from the air or sea. No natural features of the anchorage area are likely to be visible from space.
Table 51: Scale of consequences of impact (GBRMPA 2009b) Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic Environment – Ecosystem No impact or, if impact is present, then not to an extent that would draw concern from a reasonable person. No impact on the overall condition of the ecosystem. Impact is present but not to the extent that it would impair the overall condition of the ecosystem, sensitive population or community in the long-term. Impact is present at either a local or wider level. Recovery periods of 5-10 years anticipated. Impact is significant at either a local or wider level or to a sensitive population or community. Recovery periods of 10-20 years are likely. Impact is clearly affecting the nature of the ecosystem over a wide area OR impact is catastrophic and possibly irreversible over a small area or to a sensitive population or community Recovery periods of greater than 20 years likely OR condition of an affected part of the ecosystem irretrievably compromised. Environmental Perception No media attention. Individual complaints. Negative regional media attention and regional group campaign. Negative national media attention and national campaign. Negative and extensive national media attention and national campaigns.
Table 55: Potential impacts and OUV that may have an impact on the value of the environment at each of the five port anchorage areas Impact OUV Cairns Townsville Abbot Point Hay Point Gladstone Inner Gladstone Outer Disturbance to seabed and supported biodiversity: Directly affect seabed topography and biodiversity from anchor drop and chain drag 2, 3, 4 Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity Low potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity Low potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity Low potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity Low potential for impact Rocky reefal habitat, moderate diversity Moderate potential for impact Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity Low potential for impact Release of emissions or pollutants/wastes: Directly or indirectly affect water, air and sediment quality from release of emissions, pollution or wastes either from the vessel itself associated with running the vessel at anchor 2, 3 Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for impact Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for impact Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for impact High frequency of anchorage use High potential for impact Moderate frequency of anchorage use Moderate potential for impact Moderate frequency of anchorage use Moderate potential for impact Altered aesthetic value: Alter the vista of the 3 Anchorage within 2 km of Yarrabah Aboriginal Anchorage within 2 km of Magnetic Anchorage 30 km from Anchorage <10 km from Sarina Anchorage within 2 km of Gladstone Anchorage approximately 20 km from
Reef; during the day vessels are visible offshore at anchor and at night running lights maintain that visibility to coastal districts and other users of the Marine Park community High potential for impact Island High potential for impact Bowen Low potential for impact Moderate potential for impact High potential for impact Gladstone Low potential for impact Interference with access to resources: Access to fisheries resources may be affected if fishers have to navigate around anchored vessels 2, 3 Currently concern for impact is low Currently concern for impact is low Currently concern for impact is low Potential navigational impacts currently exist Potential navigational impacts of minor concern currently exist Currently concern for impact is low Marine pest introduction: Introduce marine pests if present on vessels at anchor as biofouling, within ballast water chambers, sea chests or internal seawater cooling systems 2, 4 Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for introduction Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for introduction Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for introduction High frequency of anchorage use High potential for introduction Moderate frequency of anchorage use Moderate potential for introduction Moderate frequency of anchorage use Moderate potential for introduction
Interference with species behaviour: Species may be attracted to anchored vessels at night due to light spill, other species may be displaced from the area if affected by engine noise, and vessels arriving at anchor or departing may contact fauna (e.g. whales) if they are present in the area 2, 3, 4 Anchorage adjacent to species habitat Low potential for impact Anchorage overlaps with species habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage overlaps with species habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage overlaps with species habitat High potential for impact Anchorage adjacent species habitat Moderate potential for impact Anchorage adjacent species habitat Moderate potential for impact
Table 56: Hazard risk assessment summary (OUV categories are provided in section ) No Activity or Element Impact OUV Consequence Category Current Controls Post Management Risk Current Controls Consequence Likelihood Risk Level Proposed Treatment / Management Consequence Likelihood Risk Level 1 Anchoring Disturbance to seabed – damaged or disturbance to benthos 2 Ecosystem Partial controls applied through use of designated anchorages to minimise area and type of potential impact Insignificant Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, selection of suitable anchorage sites Insignificant Almost certain Medium 2 Ship breaking anchor Disturbance to seabed – damage or disturbance to benthos from anchor/chain drag 2 Ecosystem Partial controls applied through use of designated anchorages to minimise area and type of potential impact Insignificant Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, selection of suitable anchorage sites Insignificant Unlikely Low 3 Ship breaking anchor Disturbance to seabed – damage or disturbance to benthos from grounding 2 Ecosystem Partial controls applied through use of designated anchorages and harbour master direction to minimise area and type of potential impact Major Rare Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, selection of suitable anchorage sites taking account of collision/grounding risk Major Rare Medium 4 Anchoring Disturbance to seabed - generation of minor turbidity 3 Ecosystem None Insignificant Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, selection of suitable anchorage sites Insignificant Almost certain Medium 5 Ship breaking anchor Disturbance to seabed – generation of minor turbidity 3 Ecosystem None, however habitat not predicted to be detrimentally affected Insignificant Possible Low Aggregate anchorages at each port, selection of suitable anchorage sites Insignificant Possible Low 6 Anchoring Disturbance to seabed – change in seabed topography 1 Ecosystem None Insignificant Rare Low Aggregate anchorages at each port, consider all users, selection of suitable anchorage sites Insignificant Rate Low 7 Ship breaking anchor Disturbance to seabed – change in seabed 1 Ecosystem None, however habitat no predicted to be detrimentally Insignificant Unlikely Low Aggregate anchorages at each port, consider all users, selection of suitable anchorage Insignificant Unlikely Low
topography affected sites 8 Ship at anchor Release of air emissions 3,4 Ecosystem None Minor Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, consider location specific anchor waste management strategy Minor Likely Medium 9 Anchoring Release of pollutants – sediment contaminants 2,3,4 Ecosystem None Insignificant Unlikely Low Aggregate anchorages at each port, selection of suitable anchorage sites Minor Likely Low 10 Ship at anchor Release of pollutants – minor release of pollution (wastes) 3,5 Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Minor Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, consider location specific anchor waste management strategy Minor Likely Medium 11 Ship breaking anchor Release of pollutants from ship grounding 3,4 Ecosystem Partial controls applied through use of designated anchorages and harbour master direction to minimise area and type of potential impact Major Unlikely Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, consider location specific grounding risks and management measures Major Rare Medium 12 Ship breaking anchor Release of pollutants – minor release of pollution (wastes) 3,4 Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Minor Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, consider location specific anchor waste management strategy Minor Almost certain Medium 13 Ship at anchor Release of pollutants – major release of pollution 3,4 Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Catastrophic Rare Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port Catastrophic Rare Medium 14 Ship breaking anchor Release of pollutants – major release of pollution 3,4 Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Catastrophic Rare Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port Catastrophic Rare Medium 15 Ship at anchor Release of pollutants – shipping hazard/collision Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Catastrophic Rare Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, managed anchorage, dedicated GPS markers for anchor drop Catastrophic Rare Medium
16 Ship breaking anchor Release of pollutants – shipping hazard/collision Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Catastrophic Rare Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, reduce time at anchor, align consider all users Catastrophic Rare Medium 17 Ship at anchor Altered aesthetic value 3 Ecosystem None Moderate Almost certain High Aggregate anchorages at each port, reduce time at anchor Minor Almost certain Medium 18 Ship at anchor Interference with access to resources (preclusion of other users) 3 Ecosystem None Minor Almost certain Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, reduce time at anchor, align consider all users Insignificant Possible Low 19 Anchoring Marine pest introduction 2,4 Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Catastrophic Unlikely High Aggregate anchorages at each port, all vessels to adhere to national biosecurity controls and decrease time at anchor Catastrophic Rare Medium 20 Ship at anchor Marine pest introduction 2,4 Ecosystem IMO and Australian Legislation Catastrophic Unlikely High Aggregate anchorages at each port, all vessels to adhere to national biosecurity controls and decrease time at anchor Catastrophic Unlikely High 21 Ship at anchor Interference with species behaviour, in particular marine megafauna or fisheries assemblages 3,4 Ecosystem Australian Legislation for direct interaction. No controls for light spill or noise impacts Minor Likely Medium Aggregate anchorages at each port, anchorage selection to take account of migratory species pathways Minor Likely Medium
Table A2: Presence of Commonwealth listed migratory species across the five port anchorage areas (legend at base of table) Species Predicted to Occur Previously Recorded Likelihood of Occurrence CNS TSV AP HP GLD CNS TSV AP HP GLD CNS TSV AP HP GLD Migratory marine birds fork-tailed swift Apus pacificus - - - - M - - - - great egret Ardea alba - - - - U - - - - cattle egret Ardea ibis - - - - U - - - - little tern Sterna albifrons - - - - M - - - - Caspian tern Sterna caspia - - - - - - - M - Migratory marine mammals bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni - U U - U U dugong Dugong dugon M M M M M Australian snubfin dolphin Orcaella heinsohni M K M M M killer whale Orcinus orca U U U U U indo-pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis M M M M M Migratory marine reptiles estuarine crocodile Crocodylus porosus M M M M M Migratory marine sharks shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus - - - - - - U - -