Impacts Existing conditions As described under section 2.3 the actual and potential impacts that may be realised to the values of the Port of Abbot Point anchorage area have been considered by this project using a risk based analysis. The full assessment process and findings are provided in . The potential environmental impacts and their significance, as determined by that process, are summarised in These impacts have potential to affect the World Heritage Area values of the Reef, including the aesthetics, presence of diverse ecological communities, natural beauty and species of conservation significance. Table 33: Potential environmental impacts at the Port of Abbot Point and their significance Potential environmental Impacts Significance Disturbance to seabed and supported Open soft sediment habitat, biodiversity low diversity Low potential for impact Minor releases of pollutants/wastes Low frequency of anchorage from ships use Low potential for impact A reduction in the aesthetic value of the Anchorage approximately coastal vista 30 km from Bowen Low potential for impact Currently concern for impact Preclusion of other users of the World is low Heritage Area Introduction of marine pest species Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for introduction Interference with species behaviour Anchorage overlaps with species habitat Moderate potential for impact The Cumulative Impact Assessment for Abbot Point was completed after this project had completed its EIA. That process indicated limited risk of impacting upon species behaviours as a consequence of light spill (ELA and Open Lines 2013) and that ships at anchor are unlikely to cause significant underwater noise. The assessment completed for this project EIA (and therefore the rankings presented) has also taken into account noise generated during dropping and retrieving anchor and the limited information regarding how shipping noise and light spill affect species behaviours. The majority of the biodiversity values for which the Reef is recognised are little affected by the Port of Abbot Point anchorage area. Potential indirect impacts to
Impacts Existing conditions As described under section 2.3 the actual and potential impacts that may be realised to the values of the Port of Abbot Point anchorage area have been considered by this project using a risk based analysis. The full assessment process and findings are provided in . The potential environmental impacts and their significance, as determined by that process, are summarised in These impacts have potential to affect the World Heritage Area values of the Reef, including the aesthetics, presence of diverse ecological communities, natural beauty and species of conservation significance. Table 33: Potential environmental impacts at the Port of Abbot Point and their significance Potential environmental Impacts Significance Disturbance to seabed and supported biodiversity Open soft sediment habitat, low diversity Low potential for impact Minor releases of pollutants/wastes from ships Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for impact A reduction in the aesthetic value of the coastal vista Anchorage approximately 30 km from Bowen Low potential for impact Preclusion of other users of the World Heritage Area Currently concern for impact is low Introduction of marine pest species Low frequency of anchorage use Low potential for introduction Interference with species behaviour Anchorage overlaps with species habitat Moderate potential for impact The Cumulative Impact Assessment for Abbot Point was completed after this project had completed its EIA. That process indicated limited risk of impacting upon species behaviours as a consequence of light spill (ELA and Open Lines 2013) and that ships at anchor are unlikely to cause significant underwater noise. The assessment completed for this project EIA (and therefore the rankings presented) has also taken into account noise generated during dropping and retrieving anchor and the limited information regarding how shipping noise and light spill affect species behaviours. The majority of the biodiversity values for which the Reef is recognised are little affected by the Port of Abbot Point anchorage area. Potential indirect impacts to
gbr-anchorage-management.docx