Air & Noise Emissions

Air Quality

Sydney Ports Corporation actively supports maximising the use of rail to transport cargo to and from the ports. This is consistent with the NSW Government’s Action for Air Policy (EPA, 1998) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Action for Transport 2010 Integrated Transport Plan (Department of Transport, 1998) to increase rail usage to 25% of total national freight movements.

We also support the NSW Government’s target to move 40% of containers from Port Botany by rail by 2010.

Noise Management

Port operations, both vessel and land based, are ongoing 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, and generate noise which can disturb adjacent neighbours. The majority of noise is generated from ships and cargo handling. Although not directly responsible for the noise generated by ship and stevedore activities, Sydney Ports Corporation undertakes a duty of care in relation to noise management.

Most noise generated at the ports emanates from operations undertaken by lessees on Sydney Ports Corporation land. Noise from lessee activities primarily arises from: loading and unloading of cargo to and from trains, trucks and ships; movement of cargo within terminals; and use of terminal equipment (for example, cranes and forklifts).

To a lesser degree, noise can be generated by Sydney Ports’ own operations, including construction, port development activities and operation of our vessels and vehicles.

Sydney Ports understands that this is an area of significant concern for residential owners surrounding port areas, especially around White Bay and Glebe Island, where new housing has been built close to the port’s operating areas.

We operate a 24-hour environmental reporting point (telephone line) for incidents, complaints and emergencies, through which noise complaints can be received, and Sydney Ports is committed to following up all noise complaints. On receiving complaints, we identify the likely source of the noise and work with the responsible party to address the situation where possible.