Port specific management options Port of Cairns The following issues for the management of the Port of Cairns anchorage have been identified through phases 1 and 2 of the project as: Demand of anchorages related to tidal access of port. Low growth in ship calls (2 per cent) over next 20 years. Current practices of ship anchoring were considered to have minimal future impact for the environment and other users beyond that which has already occurred at the designated anchorage site. Plans to improve channel and port access, the Cairns Shipping Development Project (Port of Cairns 2013) will reduce demand for additional anchorages by facilitating access to the port. The close proximity of the anchorage to the port provides opportunity to manage ship safety and rapidly respond to any maritime incident. Results of the Economic Appraisal suggest that the current practice of anchoring at the Port of Cairns within the designated areas is likely to produce the least cost for the desired net environmental outcome over the next 30 years. Management options - Cairns: Continue current practices of ship anchoring. Improve current anchorage management practices to protect environmental values. Optimise the use of existing anchorages. Investigate impacts of ship anchorages on aesthetic values at the Port of Cairns. Port of Townsville The following issues for the management of the Port of Townsville anchorage have been identified through phases 1 and 2 of the project as: Ship anchorage at the Port of Townsville requires operational flexibility due to multiple trades and visits by multiple ship types. Most of the current anchorage area is outside of the port limits and it is undesignated. Low growth in ship calls (two per cent) over next 20 years. The current practices of ship anchoring were considered to have minimal future impact for the environment and other users beyond that which has already occurred. The close proximity of the anchorage to the port provides opportunity to manage ship safety and rapidly respond to any maritime incident.
Port specific management options Port of Cairns The following issues for the management of the Port of Cairns anchorage have been identified through phases 1 and 2 of the project as: Demand of anchorages related to tidal access of port. Low growth in ship calls (2 per cent) over next 20 years. Current practices of ship anchoring were considered to have minimal future impact for the environment and other users beyond that which has already occurred at the designated anchorage site. Plans to improve channel and port access, the Cairns Shipping Development Project (Port of Cairns 2013) will reduce demand for additional anchorages by facilitating access to the port. The close proximity of the anchorage to the port provides opportunity to manage ship safety and rapidly respond to any maritime incident. Results of the Economic Appraisal suggest that the current practice of anchoring at the Port of Cairns within the designated areas is likely to produce the least cost for the desired net environmental outcome over the next 30 years. Management options - Cairns: Continue current practices of ship anchoring. Improve current anchorage management practices to protect environmental values. Optimise the use of existing anchorages. Investigate impacts of ship anchorages on aesthetic values at the Port of Cairns. Port of Townsville The following issues for the management of the Port of Townsville anchorage have been identified through phases 1 and 2 of the project as: Ship anchorage at the Port of Townsville requires operational flexibility due to multiple trades and visits by multiple ship types. Most of the current anchorage area is outside of the port limits and it is undesignated. Low growth in ship calls (two per cent) over next 20 years. The current practices of ship anchoring were considered to have minimal future impact for the environment and other users beyond that which has already occurred. The close proximity of the anchorage to the port provides opportunity to manage ship safety and rapidly respond to any maritime incident.
gbr-anchorage-management-appendixc.docx