Botany Port expansion “environmentally sound”

For the second year running Port Botany's Container Terminal Expansion in Australia has been given the tick of approval from an audit looking at environmental and planning impacts.

New South Wales Ports and Waterways Minister, Paul McLeay, welcomed the audit's results following the port's AU$1.0 billion expansion (US$920 million), which is now in its third year of construction.

"The port expansion project is going beyond simply meeting minimum requirements, it's now achieving positive environmental outcomes," said Mr
McLeay.

The estuary enhancements involved successfully expanding inter-tidal flats and shorebird roosting islands, as well as extensive salt marsh planting.

"Around 230,000 salt marsh seedlings have been planted and are thriving as part of this initiative, a glowing result by any standards," he said.

"The water conservation measures on the project are also significant. The audit found the works are using around 75 percent less water than initially predicted.