About the publication
A healthy, pollution-free, marine environment is vital for Australia's current and future wellbeing. Australia has entered international agreements and created laws to help preserve marine ecosystems.
The main international agreement on sea dumping is the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (the London Protocol). Australia fulfils its international obligations under the London Protocol through the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (Sea Dumping Act).
Through the Sea Dumping Act, the Australian Government:
- assesses proposals to load and dump wastes and other matter at sea
- grants permits for acceptable activities, and
- sets conditions reduce and manage environmental impacts.
The National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging outline how we assess the environmental impacts of ocean disposal of dredged material. The framework covers:
- alternatives to ocean disposal
- assessment of loading and disposal sites
- potential impacts on the marine environment and other users
- management and monitoring.
The guidelines provide:
- clear expectations on what should be included in an application
- guidance on how we assess an application
- how to plan for longer-term management.
The guidelines should be read together with:
- the Sea Dumping Act and its Regulations
- the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
- the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (GBRMP Act)
- additional guidance on tributyltin
- updated guideline values. For example, for water quality values, use the water quality guidelines and for PFAS use the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 3.0, and
- Australia's international obligations outlined in the London Protocol.