Environmental Monitoring

We are responsible for maintaining safe, deep-water access to the port via the 90km navigational shipping channel.  The channel generally follows the naturally deeper sections across Moreton Bay, but, where necessary, we dredge to maintain the declared channel depth.  We also dredge the berths upstream to the Hamilton Reach of the Brisbane River.

The dredging and placement of material is undertaken in accordance with our Dredge Management Plan.  This plan is currently under review by the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995.

Prior to beginning our annual Brisbane River maintenance dredging, we carry out comprehensive sediment sampling and analysis.  This involves:

• collecting sediment cores from 48 sites within the river
• submitting samples to approved laboratories to determine sediment chacteristics
• comparing contaminant levels with past sediment-quality data and the sediment-quality criteria outlined in the National Ocean disposal Guidelines for Dredged Material for Screening Levels (requires further considerations/assessments) and Maximum Levels (requires detailed toxicological testing).