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Question and Answer Tracking Details

4187 - SHORE POWER

Greenwich, Alex to the Minister for Transport and Roads

(1) What progress has been made into the assessment of shore power for ships berthed in Sydney Harbour since LA Q1096 (to 24 September 2020)?

(2) What options are being investigated for shore power to ships berthed at:

(a) The Overseas Passenger Terminal;

(b) White Bay cruise ship terminal;

(c) Glebe Island industrial facilities?

(3) What measures are being required for ships berthed at Glebe Island, White Bay and the Overseas Passenger Terminal to reduce noise, air and light pollution on adjacent communities?

(4) What further action does the Government plan to prevent noise and air pollution impacts from ships berthed in Sydney Harbour?

 

Answer -

I am advised:

(1) - (2)

Considering the time elapsed since the release of the 2017 study, Port Authority has commissioned an update report. This report will consider the recent developments in implementation of shore power in other ports globally, the regulation of shore power in other jurisdictions and context regarding the number of cruise ships in the world fleet that will visit White Bay cruise terminal and are capable of utilising shore power.

(3) A Noise Mitigation Strategy has been developed to address the ongoing issue of noise from cruise ships at White Bay Cruise Terminal. More information is available on the Port Authority's website.

Port Authority has been measuring air quality 24 hours per day, seven days a week, with air monitoring stations in Grafton Street, Balmain, since September 2015. All air quality reports are publicly available on Port Authority's website, including near real-time results from the air quality station.

Complaints regarding light spill from ships are infrequent. Port Authority monitors complaints regarding light spill from ships on a case-by-case basis.

(4) Port Authority is developing a Port Noise Policy to manage noise proactively, consistently and fairly across port operations in Glebe Island and White Bay.

The Port Noise Policy and Vessel Noise Operating Protocol aims to manage noise from commercial shipping in a way that that is acceptable to the local community, while recognising and optimising Glebe Island and White Bay's ongoing, long-term status as a working port.

This policy is the first of its kind in Australia and aims to provide certainty about noise management for the community, port users and other stakeholders.

The Port Noise Policy is scheduled for implementation in early 2021.

 


Question asked on 24 September 2020 (session 57-1) and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 81
Answer received on 29 October 2020 and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 88