Asia/Pacific News
Community Group Pushes for Sydney Emission Regs to Be Extended to Port of Eden
New South Wales' (NSW's) Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc (BVSRRA) is pushing the Australian government to extend emission regulations on ships berthing at Sydney Harbour to the Port of Eden, local media reports.
"The BVSRRA applauds your action in respect of cruise ships operating in Sydney Harbour, but it believes that action to protect the environment and residents from potentially harmful emissions should not be limited to Sydney Harbour," said John Richardson, BVSRRA's secretary, in a letter to Darren Chester, minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.
"[T]he location of residential areas in Eden in close proximity to visiting cruise ships, in particular once the new Eden wharf is completed, is similar to the situation in Sydney Harbour."
As Ship & Bunker has reported, regulations require that all cruise ships berthing in Sydney Harbour use marine fuel with a maximum 0.10 percent sulfur content beginning October 1, 2015.
NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said further consultation with the communities of regional ports will be required before an extension of low sulfur fuel requirements can be considered.
"The BVSRRA requests you to urgently consider the extension of the restriction on maximum fuel oil sulphur content limit of 0.1 percent imposed on cruise ships at berth in Sydney Harbour to other Australian ports, including the port of Eden, NSW," concluded Richardson in his letter to Chester.
