A code of practice for dredging and management of dredged material has been released by the national peak body for the ports industry, Ports Australia.
The code of practice sets out a series of environmental principles that Australian ports follow when undertaking dredging and when reusing, relocating and disposing of dredged material.
Chairman of Ports Australia and CEO of Flinders Ports, Vincent Tremaine, said, “The code was developed to demonstrate to the community and other stakeholders that Australia’s ports community is at the leading edge of capital and maintenance dredging management.
“The code is one of a number of initiatives that Ports Australia has undertaken to disseminate accurate information on dredging and, importantly, to secure balanced public policy outcomes on this important activity.”
Ports Australia CEO, David Anderson, indicated that while the code had a national application, it was a key deliverable under the Reef 2050 Program.
“We have sought to take a proactive stance under the Reef 2050 Program with the development of dredging and sediment management strategies,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Anderson noted that insufficient focus is placed on the key role and value of shipping channels as an important component of Australia’s international supply chains.
“Just as the capacity of our supply chains is defined by the capacity of our road and rail networks, and our terminals; it is likewise defined by the capacity of our shipping channel infrastructure.
“Our international competitiveness and the safety of our shipping depend on our ability to maintain and develop that infrastructure.”
