Cruise ship shocker

BY MICHAEL FORNO

Community concern is growing over the impact of polluting cruise ships in Sydney Harbour.

Earlier this month the federal parliament passed amendments for the Navigation Act that will allow ships to pollute high sulphur fuel into Sydney Harbour.

The amendments place limits on the fuel sulphur ships emit while at berth, yet place no limits on emissions while ships are in transit.

Cruise ships are forced to burn less sulphur rich fuel while at berth at terminals such as White Bay, but are free to burn highly toxic, sulphur rich fuel while travelling through the harbour.

The emission of sulphur dioxide from cruise ships can have devastating effects on air and water quality. The health impact on humans include respiratory irritation, including wheezing and shortness of breath.

Greens MP Jamie Parker is shocked at the lack of government oversight on emissions.

“This has enshrined into law the degrading of the NSW Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations to protect people across Sydney from toxic pollution from cruise ships.

“The Federal change to the Maritime Act appears only to enforce half the measures put in place by the EPA last year,” he said.

Former Independent Leichhardt Councillor, John Stamolis, has had a long running opposition to the cruise terminal at White Bay. He believes this legislative amendment is another reason locals are fed up with the White Bay cruise terminal.

In a recent submission to an impact forum on the White Bay terminal, Mr Stamolis listed noise as one of the major impacts the terminal has on the community.

“Cruise ship and terminal activity before 6.00am is very disturbing for residents. The area has a large working population and significant numbers of children. Surely arrivals could be better planned?” he said.

Vibrations from ships are another concern for residents, particularly when ships are berthed overnight.

“Some residents are particularly affected by vibrations. I expected that on-shore power would assist with minimising this impact on the community.”

Mr Parker believes that the health and wellbeing of the community is at risk due to the impact of ships at White Bay.

“The toxic fumes emitted by cruise ships can cause a range of illnesses, including eye disorders, lung and cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

“Why are ships allowed to burn fuel in Sydney Harbour which has up to 35 times higher levels of sulphur than the fuel they are required to use in Europe?” he said.

The White Bay cruise terminal opened in 2013 as a replacement for the old terminal at Darling Habour, which has since made way for the multimillion dollar development at Barangaroo.