Posted on June 26, 2017
By Hayden Smith, Cairns Post
GLOBAL ports industry powerbrokers have backed the development of Cairns’ Trinity Inlet to meet “crucial” environmental responsibilities while propelling the city’s economy forward.
The general assembly of PIANC, also known as the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, met in Cairns for the first time this week.
It comes less than a fortnight after Treasurer Curtis Pitt pledged State Government funding for the $120 million Cairns Shipping Development Project.
The theme of the conference, held at Cairns Convention Centre, was “Working with Nature”.
PIANC French delegate Paul Scherrer said a major dredging exercise on the doorstep of a World Heritage area was a “huge challenge”.
“But when you work with nature, you minimise the risk of the challenge,” he said.
“You need to have discussions with all the different stakeholders, and with that you can very often arrive at win-win solutions.”
Mr Scherrer, who heads the not-for-profit organisation’s Working with Nature initiative, highlighted a shipping development project on France’s Seine River as an example of environmental obligations coupling economic development.
“I don’t see why we couldn’t do the same here in Cairns,” he said.
An EIS is being prepared for the Cairns Shipping Development Project, which would involve the dumping of dredge spoil on land.
Neil Lawson (left), chairman of PIANC Australia, said it was an “unusual” practice.
“Disposing of dredge materials on land has its own environmental issues, which have to be looked after as well,” he said.
“I know the port here is getting more cruise shipping every year, so it’s an important part of the economy of this ¬region. The overriding factor is to ensure that whatever you are doing is in concert with the ¬environment.”
Ports North chairman Russell Beer attended the conference, saying it was a “timely focus” on how ports could operate within an economic and environmentally sustainable framework.
“Having all these international experts here in Cairns is a great opportunity to showcase how well we do things in our region,” he said.
Source: Cairns Post
