9/6/98
Transport Minister Eric Charlton today announced the establishment of a waste oil recycling service at the Port of Broome for vessels using the wharf and a facility at the jetty for recycling aluminium cans.
"This is a major environmental initiative at the port which will accept waste oil for recycling from all vessels calling at the Broome jetty," Mr Charlton said.
"The waste oil will be decanted by port workers into 200 litre drums for recycling by Port Hedland-based Oil Energy Corporation.
"To provide an incentive for recycling and to avoid illegal dumping of waste oil there will be no separate charge for the service.
"Instead, the cost will be built into berthing charges at the port.
"This will represent only a 2.5% increase in the berthing charge.
"We believe this is a very small price to pay for environmental protection of Broome's magnificent pristine coastal waters."
The port will carry the cost until January 1999 when adjustments are due to port fees and charges.
"The feedback from customers and the pearling and fishing industries has been very positive," the Minister said.
"An aluminium can recycling service on the Broome jetty has also been provided for visitors and recreational fishermen. "Specially provided bright yellow bins will make aluminium can recycling a breeze at the port."
The Minister said that the waste oil and aluminium can recycling services were the first in a series of initiatives to improve all aspects of environmental management at the port.
All facets of port operations and services will be reviewed over the next 12 months to find other ways of benefiting the environment.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham (08) 9321 7333
