National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging 2009
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2009
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About the publication
A healthy marine environment is essential for Australia’s current and future well being. Australia has entered international agreements and implements legislation to help preserve marine ecosystems and prevent marine pollution.
The international agreement relating to the dumping of wastes and other matter in Australian waters, including dredged material, is called the London Protocol. Australia implements its obligations under the London Protocol through the Commonwealth Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (the Sea Dumping Act).
Through the Sea Dumping Act, the Australian Government assesses proposals to load and dump wastes and other matter at sea, permits acceptable activities, and places conditions of approval, to mitigate and manage environmental impacts.
The National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging set out the framework for the environmental impact assessment and permitting of the ocean disposal of dredged material. The framework includes:
- evaluating alternatives to ocean disposal
- assessing loading and disposal sites
- assessing potential impacts on the marine environment and other users, and
- determining management and monitoring requirements.
The Guidelines are intended to provide greater certainty about the assessment and permitting process as well as provide some guidance on opportunities for longer-term strategic planning. These Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Sea Dumping Act and its Regulations, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (GBRMP Act) and Australia’s international obligations outlined in the London Protocol.
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