COMMUNITY
The Port of Weipa is a key asset to the communities that surround it.
An economic impact study commissioned by PCQ in 2002 found that the port accounted for an estimated 128 full-time equivalent jobs, and that a further 191 flow-on jobs were generated by port-related activities. In total, these 319 jobs earned an estimated $14 million in household income during the 2001/2002 financial year.
PCQ actively supports and engages with the communities surrounding the Port of Weipa. In the last two years, PCQ has undertaken a range of local community support initiatives, including the provision of funding support to the Western Cape Cultural Centre.
ENVIRONMENT
Albatross Bay is a large shallow bay on the western coast of Cape York that lies within the port limits. The bay is fed by four rivers (Pine, Mission, Embley, and Hey), which comprise an extensive estuarine system supporting a diversity of habitats and wildlife, including seagrass beds, mangrove communities, soft bottom habitats, fisheries resources, rocky reefs, and significant populations of seabirds, dugongs, turtles and saltwater crocodiles.
Seagrass beds are common in shallow waters (< five metres deep) within the port limits. PCQ commenced regular seagrass monitoring in the port in 2000. The area of seagrass within the port limits varies seasonally, but is typically 3000 - 5000 ha.
The coastal plains and fresh/salt water swamps in the port region comprise closed forest, closed scrub, low closed forest, and mangrove heath on loose to firm estuarine sediments. The foreshore areas and saline swamplands of Albatross Bay are fringed with extensive mangrove communities.
The swamps and outflows of the Weipa area are intrinsic to the successful cycle of drying out, flowering, regeneration, emergence, and growth of flora and fauna. They provide habitats for wildlife during the drier periods.
The Weipa region supports a diversity of wildlife dependant on coastal and marine ecosystems. Species include fish, frogs, turtles (Flatback, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley), saltwater crocodiles, reptiles, Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins and birds (seabirds, waders and mangrove species).
PCQ has undertaken the following environmental initiatives at the Port of Weipa:- water/sediment quality monitoring;
- development of a long term dredging plan;
- support of the Weipa Catchment Coordinating Group;
- development of oil spill response and emergency response plans;
- development of a draft port environment management plan; and
- annual seagrass monitoring.
|
