Media Release – Environment Protection Authority (EPA), 10 May 2022
EPA considers proposal for Devonport East Terminal 3 Dredging and Reclaim
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by TasPorts for proposed dredging and land reclamation in Devonport.
Dredging of approximately 45,900m3 of material from the existing Berth 3 East pocket is proposed, with construction of an adjacent reclaim area to accommodate new multilevel roll-on roll-off ship ramps. Some of the dredged material will be reused in the reclamation area subject to geotechnical and contaminant testing. The dredging component of the works is expected to run for a 4 to 10 week period.
The Chair of the EPA Board, Mr Andrew Paul, said that the Board concluded the proposed development can be managed in an environmentally sustainable and acceptable manner, with certain conditions. These conditions are included in an Environment Protection Notice served by the EPA to TasPorts.
“Various environmental issues were considered by the board in its assessment, particularly noise, water quality and impacts to biodiversity. A suite of environmental conditions was imposed to ensure that impacts are appropriately managed. These include a requirement for noise and dredging management plans as well as monitoring and reporting during works,” Mr Paul said.
One representation was received in relation to the proposal. The environmental issues raised in this representation focused on sediment impacts, including impacts to areas outside the Mersey River mouth. Public consultation was open for a 28-day period from 8 January 2022.
The proposal was considered by the board in the context of the sustainable development objectives of the Resource Management and Planning System of Tasmania (RMPS), and in the context of the objectives of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control System (EMPCS) established by the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (the EMPC Act).
The functions of the board are to administer and enforce the provisions of the EMPC Act, to further the RMPS and EMPCS objectives and, in particular, to use its best endeavours to protect the environment of Tasmania.
The board undertook the assessment of the proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles defined in Section 74 of the Act.
The board’s environmental assessment report, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to TasPorts and those who made a representation.
The decision by the EPA Board can be viewed on the EPA website at https://epa.tas.gov.au/business-industry/assessment/proposals-assessed-by-the-epa/tasmanian-ports-corporation-pty-ltd-devonport-east-terminal-3-dredging-and-reclaim-project.
