Noakes Shipyard responds to local concerns

The ABC reported yesterday, on a variety of outlets, about a development application by Noakes shipyard to remove two jetties and replace them with a floating dry dock in Berrys Bay. Noakes welcomes the public discussion.

Some neighbours made statements that deserve clarification.

Sean Langman, Managing Director of Noakes can be quoted as follows:

“We are very sensitive to our neighbours concerns about the floating dry dock and are doing all we can to address them. However, since the 1850s Berrys Bay has been a part of the working harbour west of the Harbour Bridge.  

“We believe the floating dry dock will benefit our neighbours because it means an environmental upgrade at our shipyard.

“There will be a greatly reduced risk of water pollution because of the floating dry dock. This is an improvement on all slipways. The water used to clean vessels, and the waste, will be captured and pumped ashore for treatment. Once treated the cleaned water will be potable.

“There will be no odour from the floating dry dock. This is an improvement. The vessels in the dock will have a series of skirts attached to them which will contain any of the chemical smells associated with maintenance, and the air will be pumped ashore and processed through a water-scrubber and a carbon air filter, eliminating air pollutants (including volatile organic compounds – VOCs).

“There will be much less noise pollution. A lot of work now done in the open will be done on the floating dry dock. It will have ‘sonic curtains’. These curtains can reduce sound on construction sites by up to 80%.

“There are a small number of neighbours in the apartments that have been built around us, who will actually see the floating dry dock from their balconies and think it will be an eyesore. However, we think others will find the activity around it interesting to watch, as we do – simply a different point of view. We are happy to do what we can so that concerned neighbours think it will better blend in with the scenery.

“Importantly Sydney is a working harbour. We service ferries, water police boats, heritage vessels, tugs and recreational vessels. The harbour’s activity, including tourism, is growing but the facilities are shrinking. We help make it a harbour for all Australians to enjoy. For that Sydney constantly needs to upgrade its facilities in ways that improve the environment.”  

For more information: www.noakesshipyard.com.au