ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
PCQ has a comprehensive program of environmental monitoring, which is reviewed each year to ensure its continued appropriateness. It is developed on a port-by-port basis to ensure any environmental aspects under pressure in individual port areas are being adequately monitored. Baseline monitoring is carried out where appropriate.
The following monitoring is regularly carried out:- long-term seagrass monitoring in the ports of Weipa, Karumba and Mourilyan
- survey of beaches for coal at Port of Hay Point
- sediment sampling is undertaken to support dredging activities
- air and noise monitoring at Port of Hay Point.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
PCQ considers water quality an important environmental performance indicator at each of its ports and undertakes monitoring to assess trends in water quality parameters over time. Typically, monitoring is not routine and is only undertaken when the opportunity arises during travel to the ports by the Environment Group for other business. However, a biannual schedule of monitoring is targeted in each port to cover each predominant season.
The current program of water quality monitoring started in 2004 and the links below provide a summary. Each file contains a map of the sampling area and locations, as well as the sampling results.
ABBOT POINT/BOWEN.
LUCINDA.
MOURILYAN.
THURSDAY ISLAND.
WEIPA.
Please note that wherever available, coordinates for each sampling location have been provided. Both field measurements and laboratory results are available for most ports. However, in some ports only one or the other has been collected to date.
While PCQ implements quality controls during the collection of samples and/or data, PCQ makes no guarantee as to the validity or accuracy of any water quality data provided on the PCQ website. Data should be used with the appropriate caution, and only at the full responsibility and discretion of the user. PCQ will not be held liable for any damages consequent from the use of these data.
For further information relating to water quality monitoring in the ports, please contact Nicola Rae, Environmental Coordinator.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
Each year PCQ carries out environmental improvement projects. These vary year to year and include projects such as revegetation of port land, support of Clean-up Australia Day activities and local community environmental projects.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF PROJECTS
All projects on port land are assessed for potential environmental impacts as part of an internal approval process. Where a potential impact is identified, an Environmental Management Plan will be prepared. This Plan covers issues such as:- Licensing
- water, air or noise impacts
- stormwater management
- waste management
- vegetation issues
- visual impacts
- incorporation of sustainability measures.
PCQ requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major projects. Past examples include EISs for the Port of Hay Point Departure Path Project and the X50 (Stage 3) Expansion of Abbot Point Coal Terminal.
INCIDENT REPORTING
Capturing any incidents and learning from them is an important component of PCQ's EMS to ensure continual improvement in performance,. Any environmental or safety incidents are reported on an incident form and the outcomes of investigations and recommendations to prevent their recurrence are also reported and followed up.
|
|
 |
Environmental performance enquiries:
Environmental monitoring enquiries:
|
|
