Environmental monitoring

Environmental monitoring was vital in managing potential effects of the dredging during the project works.

The monitoring measured compliance with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and gives information on the long-term status, or health, of key species, habitats and ecological processes.

Ongoing monitoring programs will continue for several years after the completion of the Channel Deepening Project. (The project finished in November 2009.) These programs will monitor the recovery process and help ensure the protection of the bay's unique environmental assets. Regular reports will be published.

For more information on the environmental monitoring activities visit the  website of the Office of the Environmental Monitor  (OEM).

The four mechanisms for monitoring environmental performance are:

• Baywide monitoring - covers baywide environmental conditions, like water quality and seagrass.
• Process monitoring, inspections and surveys - monitoring of operational activities, physical conditions and post-construction environmental conditions.
• Management performance monitoring - monitoring of the implementation and effectiveness of the environmental management system.
• EMP monitoring - covered environmental conditions such as turbidity and dredging noise during the construction phase.

The Office of the Environmental Monitor , appointed by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, advised on the project delivery and the monitoring programs, in accordance with the EMP.