SYDNEY PORTS CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 12

SUSTAINABILITY
SYDNEY PORTS’ mAIN SuSTAINABIlITY FOCuS DuRINg 2011/12 wAS
ON ENvIRONmENTAl mONITORINg, RESOuRCE EFFICIENCY AND
COmmuNITY CONSulTATION ON PORT gROwTh PROjECTS.
There were no environmental notices
issued against Sydney Ports this year,
maintaining our good record of the
previous three years.
As part of the Port Botany
Expansion project, Sydney Ports
made environmental enhancements
to Penrhyn Estuary. We expanded the
existing shorebird habitat, planted
seagrass and extended the salt
marsh – with the aim of attracting
more migratory shorebirds.
In early 2012, Sydney Ports began
a five-year, $3 million environmental
monitoring program of the Estuary.
The program is evaluating the
success of the habitat enhancement
by monitoring the seagrass, salt
marsh, migratory birds, benthos
and water quality.
During the year, Sydney Ports
continued to co-fund University of
NSW research into new technologies
for cleaning up contaminated
sediments. We also began assessing
the vulnerability of port infrastructure
to climate change, in conjunction with
RMIT University.
Sydney Ports’ staff and tenants again
took part in this year’s Business Clean
Up Australia Day in February 2012. We
collected 13 large bags of recyclable
material and 15 bags of general waste
from Tower Beach, Botany Bay and
nearby areas.
In 2011/12, Sydney Ports re-tendered
the electricity supply for our 13 largest
sites which account for more than
90 per cent of our usage. Competitive
tenders were sought from major
electricity retailers and a new supplier
appointed from 1 July 2012.
The new pricing incorporates forecast
increases in distribution costs and
carbon pricing without increasing
Sydney Ports’ total electricity costs.
The detailed reporting and analysis
of usage provided under the new
contract will enable Sydney Ports to
accurately assess further energy
efficiency measures.
in earLy 2012, Sydney
PortS Began a five-year,
$3 miLLion environmentaL
monitoring Program of
the eStUary.
In March 2012, Sydney Ports supported
Earth Hour, switching off all lights and
electrical equipment not essential to
safe port operations.
This year, Sydney Ports analysed
the fuel efficiency of our vehicle
fleet in order to make more fuel
efficient purchases in future. We also
commenced a review of the marine
fuel usage of Sydney Ports’ vessels.
In 2011/12, we updated the
sustainability sections of the Port
Botany Development Code following
feedback from Port tenants and
commenced a review of our Green
Port Guidelines.
Sustainability considerations were
included in the design of the Cruise
Passenger Terminal at White Bay
Wharf 5. Designed to achieve a
4.5 Green Star rating under the
Public Building pilot tool, the terminal
design considers energy and water
use, indoor air quality and impacts of
building materials.
During the year, Sydney Ports
consulted with our Glebe Island
White Bay Community Liaison Group
on local development. The Port Botany
Neighbourhood Liaison Group and
Port Botany Expansion Community
Consultative Committee continued to
provide us with valuable feedback on
Port operations and the expansion
project. We also held ongoing
meetings during the year with the
Community Liaison Committee at
Enfield on the Intermodal Logistics
Centre development.
Sydney Ports is committed to improved
environmental, economic and social
sustainability as we pursue future port
growth developments and increased
rail transport of containers.
In 2011/12, photography and artwork
competitions for school students within
our port precincts raised awareness
of Sydney Ports’ operations and
supported local communities. Artwork
competition entrants competed for
$3,000 worth of IT equipment for their
school and individual prizes. Their
work was displayed at Sydney Ports’
Jazz on the Water concert on Australia
Day. The photographic entries were
shown at the Balmain Art and Craft
Show, which we sponsor.
Sydney PortS CorPoration annUaL rePort 2011/12 29