MPA's security plan approved by Federal Government
Article first published on Monday, 10 May 2004 @ 12:59:45 PM
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Mackay Port Authority MPA's security plan approved by Federal Government Article first published on Monday, 10 May 2004 @ 12:59:45 PM |
The Mackay Port Authority has become one of the first seaports in Australia to have its anti-terrorism security plans endorsed by the Federal Government.
The MPA’s 360 page Port Operator and Port Facility Operators Security Plan has been officially approved by the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
The document guarantees Mackay exports access to international seaports, particularly the United States.
All Australian ports have until July 1 to comply with strict security regulations under the Federal Maritime Transport Security Act 2003. These regulations cover land and sea based security provisions and procedures.
Chief executive officer Greg Mann said the MPA had spent the past 16 months consulting with port users and other interested parties in a bid to prepare a detailed maritime security risk assessment for the Port of Mackay.
“The security risks have been identified and this assessment has helped the MPA develop the security plan,” he said.
Mr Mann said the port was on target to complete a five kilometre security cordon around the sea port by the July 1 deadline.
The fence will start on the northern side of the northern breakwater from the eastern wharf approach, following the grain terminal and bulk sugar terminal fence lines to cross Harbour Road at the MPA workshop. It will then progress southward along the Shell, BP fence line, eastward along the southern boundary of the Mobil terminal, across the southern end of Hamilton drive then north along the eastern side of Hamilton Drive. The fence will continue east to the Tallow tanks, behind the Invert and Molasses tanks, and along the inner breakwater to the eastern approach to number One wharf.
“These new restriction will soon make the commercial harbour precinct off limits to the public,” Mr Mann said.
“People will still be able to gain access to the southern breakwater and the Northern Beach, via Spiller Avenue.”
The MPA is also currently installing automatic gates on Harbour Road. Similar gates will be erected on Edmund Casey Drive. The harbour’s security surveillance systems are also being upgraded.
Mr Mann said people who ignored the regulations under the new Act could face hefty penalties. Fines of up to $4200 could be imposed on individuals. Clubs and corporate bodies could face penalties totaling $110 000 for each offence.
Leisure activities within the commercial harbour will also have restrictions.
At security levels 2 and 3 all non commercial activities will be prohibited.
People wanting to undertake these activities must now comply with the following requirements.
• Applications to stage aquatic events must be lodged with the Regional Harbour Master.
• All activities must be covered by a risk management survey.
• Applicants must provide a detail plan outlining their activities.
• Activities must be covered by comprehensive public liability insurance.
• All applications must be approved by the Regional Harbour Master and the Mackay Port Authority.
“Some people might believe these new restrictions are excessive, but the MPA has an obligation to comply with the new Federal Act and at the end of the day these new laws override Queensland legislation,” Mr Mann said.
“The Port of Mackay is currently operating on a Level One Security Threat Assessment.
“Considering the conflict and potential threat of terrorism around the globe – level one could now be considered as ‘normal’,” he said.
“The port would go to Level Two if a threat to an Australian seaport was identified and Level Three is imposed if a threat is considered imminent.”
Mr Mann apologised to the community for any inconvenience.
“The terrorist attacks on the US have made the world a different place to live. Unfortunately, it looks are though we will have to learn to live with these new laws and regulations for sometime yet,” he said.