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Media Release

AIMS says NT ‘forward-thinking’ on Darwin Harbour development

September 22, 2003

Leading Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) researcher Dr Eric Wolanski has commended Northern Territory authorities for their "forward-thinking" approach to management of Darwin Harbour and its catchment.

Dr Eric Wolanski, a world leader in oceanography and water quality science, is in Darwin this week to talk to the Darwin and Palmerston City Councils, Power and Water Corporation, Northern Land Council, Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee, Charles Darwin University and other key groups. He will be fine-tuning collaborative arrangements for a new AIMS team that is focused on the Northern Territory.

Dr Wolanski, the team leader, said he was impressed that NT authorities had "looked into the future" and saw the need to plan development in ways that minimize impacts on the natural systems making up the Darwin Harbour and its catchment.

"AIMS is happy to be part of that and we will generate knowledge for sustainable development through understanding ecosystem processes and gauging the impact of human activity."

He said AIMS science would not only help NT resource managers to know the area better, but also produce advanced models to predict how things will change in the harbour over time with human impacts.

"This is the first time science will be used to plan major development in an Australian port before natural systems are degraded. Historically, mining, agricultural and urban developments in Australia have proceeded without full understanding of the environmental impact on estuaries and coastal waters.

"But in this case, science-based solutions will allow resource development and urban expansion that does not compromise quality of life or the sustainability of living resources."

Another member of the AIMS team, Dr David McKinnon, is joining with the NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment (DIPE) to monitor and compare water quality in the east and middle area of the harbour. Scientists will also reconstruct sedimentary history, looking at changes in the levels of sediments and nutrients.

"We will look at the chemical make-up of the water and the rate of flushing – how much sediment is trucked into the bay and is removed by the big tides. We will also focus on gauging human impacts on nutrient flow and assessing the role of water movement and sediment transport in controlling the health of the ecosystem," Dr Wolanski said.

As all Territorians know, Darwin has grown rapidly in recent years. New residential housing is evident everywhere, another port facility is being built at Palmerston to meet the railway service from the south, and a gas treatment plant is being constructed by Conoco Philips to handle gas piped in from the Timor Sea. It is estimated that recreational fishers now visit the harbour and launch their boats more than 500,000 times in a year.

"Darwin is at an exciting point in its history and it is great to see the NT Government and community working together to plan and manage its growth."

AIMS is also represented on the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee by Mr Frank Tirendi. This committee advises the Government "on matters relating to maintenance of conservational, recreational, cultural, and commercial values of the harbour and catchment."

Media contacts
Dr Eric Wolanski
Telephone: 07 4753 4243
Mobile: 0417 761 404 
Email: e.wolanski@aims.gov.au 

Wendy Ellery, AIMS Media Liaison
Telephone: 07 4753 4409 
Mobile: 0418 729 265
Email: w.ellery@aims.gov.au 

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Last updated - September 22, 2003

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