Femantle Port Authority Media Release

19 January 2010

Inner Harbour deepening testing results confirm water safe for swimming

Further results from the Water Quality Monitoring Program for the Fremantle Ports Inner Harbour and channel deepening project have been provided by consultants Oceanica Pty Ltd and are now accessible on the Fremantle Ports website:

http://www.fremantleports.com.au/Planning/5651.asp

All of the results were many times below safe levels for swimming.  These results cover samples taken in the river, in the harbour, in the vicinity of the dredge, in and around the reclamation area at Rous Head and at Preston Point Beach.

The outcomes confirmed the findings from the extensive sampling and testing undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment before commencement of dredging which demonstrated that the dredging would not present any harm to river or beach users.

The most recent testing included analysis for heavy metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides.  Testing of water samples has been undertaken for an extensive range of chemicals to microgram levels to accurately measure some of the very low levels within the sediments; hence laboratory processing times have been lengthy.

The results show that the water quality measures are many times below safe levels for swimming.

Moderate ecological protection levels for copper were potentially exceeded at two sample locations and for lead at one sample location, both in the Inner Harbour. The criteria applied at these locations relate to longer term water quality targets within the harbour and hence require ongoing monitoring but are not a cause for concern during temporary disturbance of the harbour sediments.

The required management response in this case is to undertake further analysis of these samples and to continue the ongoing detailed water quality monitoring program for the duration of the project.

Media contact:  Ainslie de Vos 9430 3380 mobile 0419 908 640