Adani may Withdraw from Australian Coal Mine Project
Indian conglomerate Adani Enterprise Ltd may walk away from its proposal to build one of the world's biggest coal mines in Australia, citing long delays caused by legal challenges to the project by groups concerned about the environment. Adani is battling multiple legal challenges from green groups opposed to its $10-billion Carmichael mine, rail and port project. The Australian on Saturday reported that the company's founder and chairman, Gautam Adani had told the newspaper the company may abandon the project because of long delays due to legal challenges. "You can't continue just holding. I have been really disappointed that things have got too delayed," Adani told The Australian.
Great Barrier Reef Kept Off UNESCO 'Danger' List
A heritage committee of the UNESCO cultural agency stopped short of placing Australia's Great Barrier Reef on an "in danger" list, but the ruling on Friday raised long-term concerns about its future. The long-awaited ruling by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee welcomed Australian efforts to maintain the environmentally sensitive region but noted its outlook was "poor" and called on the government to stick rigidly to commitments to protect it. "Climate change, poor water quality and impacts from coastal development are major threats to the property's health...," the statement said after delegates held discussions in the German city in Bonn. Busy shipping lanes pass through the area and commercial ships are required to hire a special "reef pilot" to navigate through it.
Australia Reveals Barrier Reef Protections
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is due to decide in June whether to put the reef on its "in danger" list because its corals have been badly damaged and some of its animal species, including dugong and large green turtles, are threatened. Such a listing could lead to restrictions on shipping and port expansions that could hit Australia's trade in commodities and energy. Environment Minister Greg Hunt issued proposed changes to regulations to carry out the ban, which he announced in November, barring sea dumping of dredged soil in the 345,000 sq km Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The park is under federal government control. The Queensland state government also plans to ban dredge dumping in a further 3…
Australia Bans Dumping within Great Barrier Reef
The dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will be completely banned under draft laws proposed by the Federal Environment Minister. Greg Hunt said the regulation would forever end the disposal of capital dredge spoil within the marine park - an area 345,000 square kilometres in size. Capital dredging is the removal of an undisturbed area of the seabed. The reef, home to a huge array of life, is under threat from massive industrial development to enlarge port facilities. Hunt said the dumping of capital dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park would be completely banned under draft legislation drawn up by the federal government.
Australia's Victoria state may sell two biggest ports
Australia's Victoria state government said it may sell Port of Melbourne, the country's largest container and general cargo port, continuing a rush by states to sell major assets to fund new infrastructure projects. Victorian Treasurer Michael O'Brien said the government will commission a scoping study into the potential sale of Port of Melbourne and a second port, in a deal local media said may net about A$5 billion ($4.5 billion). The study will be completed before the May state budget. State governments are selling ports, power stations and roads to fund billions of dollars worth of new infrastructure. New South Wales state sold Port Botany and Port Kembla a year ago for A$5 billion and hopes to sell Port of Newcastle in 2014 for an expected A$700 million.
KONGSBERG MARITIME COMPLETES SIMULATOR INSTALLATION AT GREAT BARRIER REEF INTERNATIONAL MARINE COLLEGE
The installation of a new suite of navigation simulators has been completed at the all-new Great Barrier Reef International Marine College (GBRIMC) in Cairns, Australia. Installation took place in January 2011 and consisted of a 270 degree DNV Class A full mission bridge simulator, a 180 degree tug bridge, 8 destktop navlab stations with part task simulators for ECDIS training and an instructor station. The simulator delivery features exercise area databases of Australia's busiest ports.
