Port Nelson Annual Report 2012 (pdf)

environment
highlights
• Port Noise Variation now ratified and operative
• Recognition for the implementation of the Port Noise Variation
through a New Zealand Planning Institute Best Practice Award
• Continued reduction in the number of noise complaints
• Obtaining Ministry for the Environment (MFE) funding for
remediation planning for the Calwell Slipway Basin contamination.
Although we have been operating as though the Variation was operative
for a number of years, the ratification of the Variation means that Port
Nelson now has certainty with regards to our obligations for noise
generated at the port. The preparation of the Variation commenced in
the mid-2000s and its development has required signficant input from
not only Port Nelson but also NCC and our respective noise, planning
and legal consultants. There has also been significant input from the
local community. This hard work and the success of the Variation as an
approach for noise management was recognised during the year with
the awarding of a New Zealand Planning Institute Best Practice Award
to NCC and its planning consultant Gary Rae.
The past year has seen us continue to take a wider view of our
approach to environmental management and, in particular to focus
on the environmental sustainability of the business. The inclusion
of ‘Environment’ in our Vision is a clear indication of this and of our
intention to be a leader in sustainable environmental management in
the New Zealand port industry.
Port Nelson has continued its involvement with the Mayoral Taskforce
for Sustainability, which is overseeing the development of the
Community Sustainability Strategy for Nelson. Engaging effectively
with our local community around our environmental issues will
continue to be an important obligation for Port Nelson to meet both
in the short and long term.
At an operational level, our Environmental Management System was
re-certified as meeting the requirements of ISO 14001. This system
continues to drive our day-to-day environmental management. We
have continued our focus on our most significant environmental
aspect, which is port noise, and we are pleased that we have continued
to make progress in this area.
Indicators of Environmental Performance
port noise variation
The past year has seen the acheivement
of a major milestone with
Nelson City Council (NCC) ratifying
the Port Noise Variation. The Variation
has three key elements: a committee
comprising representatives from
both Port Nelson and the local
community; a Noise Management
2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Plan, which describes how we manage
noise at the port; and a Noise Mitigation Plan, which describes how we
carry out the noise insulation of affected properties on the Port Hills.
calwell slipway basin contamination
The Calwell Slipway Basin is an area of the port that has become
contaminated from vessel repair activites in and around the basin
since the development of the slipway in the 1970s. The ongoing
shallowing of the basin has resulted in the need to dredge the area;
however, the contaminated sediments are unable to be disposed of at
our usual site for dredge spoil in Tasman Bay.
In a joint application with NCC, we have successfully obtained funding
from the MFE Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund to identify
the preferred option for the remediation of the site. The work is
being funded 50/50 by Port Nelson/MFE, with NCC providing in-kind
support. We intend to have that work completed by the end of the
2012 calendar year. It is then hoped that a further application can
be made to the fund, to support the completion of the preferred
remediation option. We are positive that this project is an opportunity
to remediate an area of historic contamination and improve the
marine environment at the port.
indicators of environmental
performance
Our performance indicators are provided in both actual units and in
TEU to provide a measure of the improvements in efficiency. Most
indicators are showing that PNL is making good progress in reducing
its environmental footprint.
environmental issues register 2011/12
In total, 26 incidents were recorded, a significant decrease on last
year. This is mainly due to the drop in the number of noise complaints,
thanks to the continued emphasis on the management of port noise.
Environmental Issues
Aspect Indicator Baseline: 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
Fuel Fuel use (litres) per TEU* of cargo handled 7.13 (613,459) 7.23 (606,047) 7.05 (607,774)
Power Electricity use (kw hours) per TEU of cargo handled 48.39 (4,163,012) 55.43 (4,645,683) 55.39 (4,775,071)
Waste Waste generated per FTE employee** (m3) 3.56 (501) 4.35 (592) 3.9 (534)
Methyl Bromide Quantity of methyl bromide used at Port Nelson (tonnes) 4.0 3.7 3.4
Noise Number of noise complaints 29 9 8
Oil Spills Number of oil spills when bunkering 0 0 1
Dust Number of dust complaints 1 2 0
Codes of Practice Number of audit reports completed 4 7 13
Number of non-conformances identified 2 4 13
Number of non-conformances resolved 2 4 5
Continuous improvement Number of targets reported on 15 15 15
Number of new initiatives 20 15 12
Water Water use (m3) per TEU (site use excluding ships) 0.29 (24,961) 0.22 (19,113) 0.21 (18,402)
* Twenty-foot equivalent container units for 2011/12 = 86,200. ** Full-time equivalent employees for 2011/12 = 135.
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