MINUTES OF THE INNER HARBOUR ... - Fremantle Ports

MINUTES OF THE INNER HARBOUR COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUP
Date: 6 September 2011
Location: Boardroom – Fremantle Ports Administration Building
Time: 5.30pm to 7.00pm
Chairperson Dr Simon Avenell
Community Representatives:
Lisa Williams, WA Museum
Eric Wilson, Port Beach Users Group
Rod Murray, South Fremantle Precinct
Cr Sian Martin, Town of East Fremantle
Des Snook, Main Roads WA
John Tedesco, Rottnest Island Authority
Ron Davidson, Fremantle History Society
Fremantle Ports’ Representatives:
Chris Leatt-Hayter, Chief Executive Officer
Gino Valenti, General Manager Strategy and
Planning
Apologies:
Joseph Zappavigna, City of Fremantle
Cr Wesley Davies, Town of Mosman Park
Greg Ellson, Rottnest Island Authority
David Hawks, Fremantle Society
Don Whittington, Fremantle Park Association
Robert Potts, Beaconsfield Precinct
Yvonne Holland, ArtSource
Rev Dennis Claughton, Flying Angel Club for
Seafarers
David Earl, Fremantle Arts Centre Precinct
Rob Harrison, Fremantle Inner City Residents
Association (FICRA)
Ainslie de Vos, Manager External Affairs
Jeanette Murray, External Affairs Coordinator
Helen Elliott, Community Relations Coordinator
Scott Bailey, Rottnest Express
Maria Rico, Town of East Fremantle
Peter Nolin, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce
Gerry MacGill, North Fremantle Precinct
Jude van der Merwe, ArtSource
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1. WELCOME, APOLOGIES AND INVITATION FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Dr Avenell welcomed those present and called for additional agenda items.
It was decided the topic of road to rail container transport would be discussed in General Business.
2. MINUTES AND ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 31 May 2011 had been circulated and were
accepted. No actions from previous meeting.
3. INNER HARBOUR’S LONG-TERM FUTURE
Information provided by Chris Leatt-Hayter:
Fremantle Port’s container trade is some 5 times the level in 1989/90.
Average annual growth of 7.5 per cent for this period.
Expectations are for average annual growth of 4-5% in future years.
Benefits in maximising port infrastructure: Fremantle Port’s existing infrastructure represents
huge investment of public and private sector investment over time; major economic benefits for
WA in ensuring the existing infrastructure is used to its capacity while maintaining social
amenity and environmental safeguards.
Strategies to deliver growth:
1. Inner Harbour deepening and berth works completed in April 2011; draft capacity increased
to 14 metres for bigger ships, maintaining access for importers and exporters to large,
efficient container services; increased quay length achieved for container shipping and
berths strengthened.
2. 27 hectares reclaimed land at Rous Head created - a significant opportunity to enhance port
efficiency and capacity; expressions of interest process undertaken for use of this land
created as a by-product of the dredging; equivalent to about 20% of the existing North
Quay/Rous Head precinct; planning well advanced.
3. Increasing berth and stacking space for break bulk trades such as new motor vehicle
imports; significant growth occurring currently in trades such as new motor vehicle imports,
exports of scrap metal.
4. Increased market share for rail: Extension of North Quay rail terminal to provide for longer
trains; construction of a rail passing loop to improve rail line capacity; expansion of
intermodal terminal capacity in the Kewdale Forrestfield area; joint funding of $53.5m
secured from the Commonwealth through the Nation Building Fund, and the State
Government.
5. Need to ensure effective and efficient land-transport linkages and services are provided now
and into the future: planning to ensure transport corridors and inland distribution sites are
protected and developed; facilitating improved coordination along the supply chain; working
with shipping lines and road carriers to make use of the intermodal facilities at Forrestfield
more attractive to importers and exporters.
6. Other strategies to improve performance of the logistics chain include: identifying new
markets for which rail can offer competitive services; increasing two-way loading of portrelated
truck traffic; working with industry to achieve extended warehouse receival hours to
achieve better match with port operations.
7. Catering for growth in bulk trades: New and upgraded export facilities planned for Fremantle
Ports’ Kwinana Bulk Terminal to improve efficiency for export of iron ore, coal and other
commodities; long-standing environmental approvals in place for future additional berth at
Kwinana Bulk Jetty.
8. Forward planning for additional growth in container and general cargo trade: Most of the
demand for imported containerised goods is generated from the metropolitan area; Kwinana
is seen as the only viable location for additional container and general cargo facilities when
the Inner Harbour at Fremantle reaches optimal capacity; significant planning has been
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undertaken for Outer Harbour expansion and is continuing; Inner Harbour and proposed
new Kwinana facilities are likely to operate together.
4. RAIL NOISE UPDATE
Update provided by Gino Valenti:
Actions taken to date:
Working group established (Fremantle Ports, PTA, Australian Railroad Group, & ILS);
previous noise monitoring reviewed; noise monitoring undertaken – no correlation between
speed and noise; track and lubrication system maintenance frequency increased; rolling stock
maintenance examined; track re-profiling undertaken; noise monitoring undertaken with
reduced speeds – too many variables to prove conclusive; trial reductions in speed to see
whether slowing the train helps. (So far inconclusive, and the rail operator remains concerned
about the risk of people jumping onto very slow moving trains); independent rail noise expert
engaged; different sources of noise and causes identified – increased knowledge for Working
Group; changes to track lubrication systems implemented (adjustment to stop lubrication
contaminating top of rail leading to loss of traction (noise) and new friction modifier installed to
lubricate the running surface of the outside rail; visual records of ‘noisy’ wagons reported to
ARG for follow up on maintenance history; increased involvement of Senior Managers from
PTA and ARG; independent expert review of wheelset tolerances with ARG at Forrestfield
maintenance depot – all within specification; the early morning service departure from North
Quay has been voluntarily delayed as much as possible within the scheduled service window;
regular communications with FICRA (Fremantle Inner City Residents Association)
representatives; FICRA representatives invited to ARG’s Forrestfield depot to demonstrate
maintenance program.
Further actions proposed:
A noise study is being developed to quantify track/wheel noise types and root causes so that
most appropriate noise remediation technologies can be identified; FICRA will be invited to
provide input prior to implementation; the Working Group is investigating the safety risks,
policies and laws concerning sounding of the warning horn.
Discussion: A question was asked about the level of noise from train wheel squeal. Answer:
Previous measurements had shown this to be in the order of 100 decibels. Rob Harrison asked if
monitoring could be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of any measures that were being
taken to reduce noise. Gino said that monitoring in the past had been inconsistent and taken at
different locations, hence the ability to do comparisons at this stage would be limited. The
Working Group’s current focus was on noise monitoring to identify the precise type and source of
noise and to assess the effectiveness of variations such as speed and different track lubrication.
Rob’s request would be tabled at the next Working Group meeting for consideration.
5. FREMANTLE WATERFRONT
Update provided by Chris Leatt-Hayter:
Since the ING development application had lapsed, Fremantle Ports was interested in developing
proposals for the area that were more acceptable to the community, with a more open
streetscape. Fremantle Ports has convened a small Working Group to consider alternative
concepts for this area, consistent with the Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan, suitable for future
stakeholder and community consultation. A question was asked about whether it was Fremantle
Ports’ core business to oversee development in that area. Chris said it was critical for Fremantle
Ports to oversee development in this area in order to maintain compatibility of any development
with the working port; there was a genuine desire to improve public amenity and access to
Victoria Quay, however, this needed to done in a manner that did not adversely impact the ability
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of the port to operate efficiently.
(Note: There was a question about where the Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan could be
accessed. Links to The Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan and the Phillimore Street Integrated
Master Plan can be accessed on the Victoria Quay Waterfront page on Fremantle Ports’ website
at http://www.fremantleports.com.au/Planning/VictoriaQuay/Pages/default.aspx)
6. CRUISE UPDATE
Information provided by Ainslie de Vos:
Cruise ship calls: 29 visits in 2010/11 compared with 39 last year; two ships (Athena and Sun
Princess) were seasonally-based in Fremantle in 2010/11; 39 visits scheduled for next year,
with Pacific Sun returning to seasonally base here.
Passenger numbers: 52,321 in 2010/11 compared to 92,534 in 2009/10; predicted to reach
around 96,000 this year (highest level in recent times), based on current ship bookings;
Fremantle Ports is continuing to have active representation on Cruising Down Under –
Australia’s peak cruising body.
Queen Mary 2 due to visit twice in 2012 (8 and 28 February).
Discussion: Information was sought on freight ships that carry passengers. (Note: Mediterranean
Shipping Company takes passengers on cargo ships. The contact person is Gayner Vantsant,
Travel Focus International, 9317 4455.)
7. COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
Information provided by Ainslie de Vos:
Celebrate Maritime Day: Thousands of people visited Victoria Quay on 27 August to
participate in the 3 rd annual expo. The waterfront was a lively scene as people lined up to
board Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle and a Svitzer tug, and toured the
harbour on Challenger Institute of Technology's training boat. Inside historic B Shed, people
visited 41 information stalls related to the maritime and marine industries.
Glyde-In Community Learning Centre deck: Built by volunteers and funded by Fremantle
Ports, the centre's new back deck was launched in early August with a morning tea. Running
the length of the East Fremantle building, the new covered timber deck is already getting a lot
of use by the centre's 650 members.
East Freo Farm Inc and North Fremantle Community Garden: Fremantle Ports has provided
some sponsorship to both of these community garden projects.
Murdoch and Curtin universities’ Coastal and Estuarine Dolphin Project: Fremantle Ports is a
major sponsor of this research project.
8. LOSS MANAGEMENT REPORT
Communication of significant incidents, complaints and improvements relating to Inner Harbour
operations, and that may be of interest to Community Liaison Group members. Information
provided by Gino Valenti for the period May - August 2011:
16/5/11: Notification received from Western Power that about 1000 litres of insulating oil had
been discharged into subsurface soils from a below ground cable at the North Fremantle
substation. Western Power required to clean-up site to DEC’s satisfaction. Fremantle Ports’
Environmental Advisor continuing to liaise with the DEC and Western Power as works are
concluded on site.
1/6/11: Fremantle Ports’ Signal Station observed a black slick in the harbour adjacent to
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North Quay Berth 1. Vessel loading tallow was located in the vicinity at the time. Vessel
boarded by Port Services Officer and sample taken by Pilot Boat. Department of Transport
and AMSA representatives who were coincidently on site were requested to board vessel to
investigate potential source. Swan River Trust Officers also attended but observed very
minor impact and fast dissipation and undertook no further action. Initial observations were
that the material had no hydrocarbon or sewerage odour and no oily sheen, but resembled
carbon (soot). Laboratory analysis confirmed very low levels of hydrocarbons. Harbour
Master forwarded letter of warning to vessel Master and owners in relation to the discharge.
11/6/11: Stevedore’s shift supervisor contacted North Quay Patrol to report that an ISO tank
container containing 25,000 litres of aviation fuel was found to be dripping from a welded
joint near the lower valve outlets. The ship would not accept the tank container and the
delivery company would not remove leaking tank from the wharf area. Absorbent material
placed on leaking area. The tank container was isolated and the area taped off. Cargo owner
(fuel company) required to arrange safe transfer of cargo to another empty container under
observation by Port Services Officer.
11 & 12/8/11: Local residents lodged complaints in relation to camper vans parking on South
Mole. Had observed increasing trend, higher level of activity and restricting access and
amenity for general public. Action to remedy this situation was already in place due to
internal incident report lodged by Port Services Officer on 7 August. Signage is being
prepared to advise that camping is prohibited. Move-on notices will be issued by Port
Services Officers and Police assistance sought if required.
15/8/11: Rous Head tenant lodged complaint in relation to dust from new reclamation area
blowing onto premises. Complaint also conveyed by Department of Environment and
Conservation. A 100m width around the perimeter of the reclamation area was
hydromulched at completion of the reclamation in April 2010 at a cost of $100,000. This was
not reapplied prior to winter 2011 because works on the Rous Head reclamation area were
planned to commence in July 2011. Hydromulch was recently re-applied to a strip of the
reclamation area adjacent to Rudderham Drive but this failed to fully bind due to wet
weather. In addition, shade cloth is being reinstated along the fence line adjacent to
Rudderham Drive to reduce the amount of dust blowing out of the reclamation area. These
measures will control dust under most weather conditions but their effectiveness is likely to
be reduced during periods of very strong onshore winds. The objective is to complete the
redevelopment as soon as possible, but further hydromulching will be considered if this is
delayed and problems continue.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
Road to rail container transport: Discussion on whether double stacking was possible
because of electric wires for passenger trains. Gino Valenti said there would be additional
costs but it was not impossible; investigations were continuing to find the optimum
solution to transport more containers on rail.
Phillimore/ Cliff St redevelopment (see Phillimore Street Integrated Master Plan): A
question was asked about when this would occur. Chris Leatt-Hayter said Fremantle
Ports was keen to commence the project and discussions were continuing with the City of
Fremantle on whether it would start this financial year or next year.
Conclusion: Meeting concluded at 7.15 pm.
Next meeting: 5.30 pm Tuesday 15 November 2011, Fremantle Ports Administration Building
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