REGULARS

LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY VISION

Townsville, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, has released its vision for the next 30 years charting a sustainability plan, writes Dave MacIntyre

Photo: Port of Townsville

Port Vision 2050 contains strategic objectives and initiatives across four priority areas of planet, community, people and prosperity and has been developed in keeping with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Australia's largest copper, lead, zinc, sugar and live cattle port, envisages that around AUS$1.8 billion of investment will be needed over the next 30 years to enable it to deliver on its vision, including a capital asset renewal and maintenance programme to ensure assets are operating in line with climate goals.

SIGNIFICANT THREAT

The port is aware that climate change is a significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef and therefore a commitment to being climate-positive is essential. For nearly 30 years the port has monitored its local environment and partnered with scientific and research organisations to understand and share knowledge from Cleveland Bay, including water quality, seagrass health and hydrodynamics.

More recently, the Channel Upgrade Project has seen an expansion of monitoring into coral, inshore dolphins, shorebirds and marine megafauna.

Among the initiatives planned under Port Vision 2050 are adopting sustainable and resilient design for infrastructure, embracing industry-leading practices to protect and improve biodiversity and ecosystems, fostering collaborative research programmes and knowledge sharing, and minimising emissions.

Specific targets are set for the port becoming carbon neutral for its own operations and using 100% renewable energy, undertaking catchment area improvement projects to reduce sediment loss, planting one million more trees, and increasing port green space.

The trees will offset carbon emissions and contribute to the development and greening of community spaces along the waterfront.

CLIMATE POSITIVE

Port of Townsville chief executive officer, Ranee Crosby, told GreenPort that being “climate-positive” means going beyond a goal of net-zero carbon emissions, to effectively remove more carbon from the environment than the port is adding.

“For us, that means becoming carbon neutral by 2025 for our own operations, then working with our port customers to help them achieve their carbon neutral goals, and looking for ways to initiate or support projects that remove carbon emissions

The port is aware that climate change is a significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef and therefore a commitment to being climate-positive is essential

from the broader community." “Ultimately, being climatepositive means looking beyond our own emissions and working with our customers and community to take collective action on climate change.

“Being 'climate-ready' is about adapting our operations in the short-term to ensure that we are ready for the long-term challenges that climate change will inevitably bring. The predicted effects of climate change include rising sea levels and an increase in frequency and severity of storms and floods.”

She said Townsville is embracing sustainable infrastructure design to future proof assets against these challenges. For example, a rock wall being built as part of the Channel Upgrade Project, prepares for rising sea levels over the next 50 years.

Ms Crosby said Townsville is currently conducting a feasibility study for using solar power across port operations, as well as transitioning its energy supply to 100% green energy. Additionally, it is continuing to support and facilitate renewable energy industries.

Other initiatives focused on supporting healthy reefs and ecosystems include committing more than AUS$17 million to environmental monitoring and mitigation strategies over six years as part of the Channel Upgrade project and investing AUS$1 million in upgrading equipment at boundary air monitoring stations.

The port will also be publishing realtime water and weather dashboards on its website to enhance the community's understanding of the environment and collaborating with local partners to install baskets in stormwater drains, to prevent litter and debris entering waterways.

8 The port wants to

become carbon neutral and use 100% renewable energy

8 Ranee Crosby, CEO,

Port of Townsville

Photo: Port of Townsville