Authors / CoAuthors
Williams, D. | Radke, L. | Smit, N. | Picard, K.
Abstract
Marine Infrastructure links northern coastal areas with Asian markets and thus is fundamental for the development of Northern Australia. Marine science can play key roles in the planning and development of coastal infrastructure and optimisation of shipping operations that underpin growth and productivity. The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) operates two coastal observing systems in Darwin Harbour and the Beagle Gulf which supply information on wind, waves, tides and suspended sediments to Darwin Port in near real time. The systems also drive numeric models that tell us about how waves, tides and sediment circulate within the Harbour throughout the year. Adoption of the model outputs by industry has led to around a 50% improvement in ship accessibility to some infrastructure in Darwin Port. The modelling could be expanded to include other northern regions slated for infrastructure development, and is multi-purpose in the respect that it provides information that is crucial to understanding the impacts of dredging on water quality. Multibeam sonar acoustic seabed mapping creates spectacular three-dimensional images of the seafloor which increase the accuracy of models, and provide high quality information for navigation. Obstacles to shipping and pipelines such as reefs and sandbanks are clearly evident in these images, as are culturally significant features such as shipwrecks. A program to map Darwin and Bynoe Harbours is currently underway, and was made possible through offset funds provided by INPEX to Northern Territory Government Department of Land Resource Management, and co-investment from Geoscience Australia and AIMS. This comprehensive program has already revealed seabed features that were previously unknown. Moreover, it provides core data sets for Environmental Impact Assessments which reduce development costs to potential investors. The program highlights how industry and government can form effective partnerships to deliver products that will help with the successful sustainable development of Northern Australia.
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nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
90107
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Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
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- External PublicationAbstract
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_Internal
Publication Date
2016-01-01T00:00:00
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geoscientificInformation
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