Darwin Harbour – a partnership approach to understanding and evaluating environmental challenges

Darwin Port plays a critical role in the Northern Territory’s export-oriented economy and in supporting the economy of northern Australia more generally. Darwin Port is the only true multi-modal port in northern Australia, with direct connectivity to southern Australia and beyond via the southern rail link. The port has developed rapidly over the past decades, with redevelopment of the Waterfront Precinct, development of numerous residential marinas, construction of the East Arm Wharf and marine supply base, and construction and operation of liquefied gas processing and export facilities. Future development plans include Middle Arm Industrial Precinct and Marine Industry Park. These developments have resulted in an order of magnitude increase in dredging requirements, an increase in vessel traffic and an increase in public focus on environmental quality within the harbour. A coordinated, multi-agency approach to understand the complex marine environment of Darwin Harbour has underpinned much of the development activity and provided a sound scientific basis to evaluate potential environmental impacts associate with past and future developments. Through a hierarchical process of environmental assessment and identification and mitigation potential risks, the Australian Institute of Marine Science has partnered with industry, government and other research providers to deliver projects to map and assess habitats, monitor environmental attributes and evaluate potential impacts, and provide environmental information in novel and accessible ways to support harbour operations and inform strategic planning. The partnership approach adopted for Darwin Harbour serves as a model for leveraging resources to understand and manage environmental and operational risks in northern ports.