Final phase of the sewage discharge requirements
The Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 (the Act) and the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Regulation 2008 (the Regulation) protect Queensland’s coastal waters by minimising deliberate and negligent discharges of ship-sourced pollutants (including sewage).
The intent of the legislation is to protect Queensland's marine environment from the harmful effects of vessel-sourced pollution for the benefit of all users.
On 1 January 2004, the Queensland Government introduced enhanced legislation regarding the discharge of vessel-sourced sewage. The legislation outlined progressive changes to vessel operating requirements that would be phased-in over a period of six years.
The final phase of legislation, due to commence 1 January 2010, focuses on those vessels that have a greater sewage generating capacity, that is, vessels with more than six persons on board.
As of 1 January 2010, in addition to existing requirements, it will be an offence:
- for vessels with 16 or more people on board to discharge untreated sewage into Queensland coastal waters (untreated sewage is sewage that has not passed through a sewage treatment system)
- for vessels with 7 to 15 people onboard to discharge untreated sewage in Queensland coastal waters within 1.852 metres (one nautical mile) of a reef, or the mean low water mark of an island or the mainland.
These new requirements apply to all ships, including all commercial, recreational and fishing ships.
Vessel owners and operators have a range of options available to them to comply with the legislation concerning the discharge of vessel-sourced sewage. These options include:
- the use of onshore facilities (for example public toilets) to minimise the waste generated onboard vessels
- the use of portable toilets onboard (for example porta-potties) for later disposal ashore
- the installation and use of a sewage treatment system (so that treated sewage can be discharged where allowable under current regulations)
- discharging macerated (untreated) sewage where allowable under current regulations
- the installation of holding tanks and subsequent use of shore-based sewage pumpout facilities.
The discharge requirements for treated sewage remain unchanged (treated sewage is sewage that has passed through a sewage treatment system).
Further information on the sewage discharge requirements for Queensland.
