Port Authority recognises that air emissions from ships berthed at Glebe Island and White Bay can be a concern for local residents living near the working port.
To monitor ambient air quality near White Bay Cruise Terminal, a monitoring station was installed in September 2015 in the streets above the terminal in Balmain. This station records both air quality and weather data, providing a clear and accurate picture of local air conditions.
The data is analysed monthly, and an interpretive report is prepared, offering valuable insights not only for Port Authority but also for anyone interested in Balmain's ambient air quality.
Key findings from air quality monitoring
- Results from September and October 2015 showed significantly lower sulfur dioxide (SO₂) levels after cruise ships began using low-sulfur fuel while at berth in Sydney Harbour from 1 October 2015.
- The 24-hour average concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) consistently remained below the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (AAQ NEPM) standard.
- PM2.5 levels in Balmain fluctuated similarly to levels measured at Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) reference sites, regardless of whether a cruise ship was at berth, indicating that cruise ships have little impact on local PM2.5 concentrations.
As of March 2022, air quality monitoring at White Bay has been temporarily paused while changes to the monitoring instrumentation are implemented. Port Authority is consulting relevant agencies to determine future monitoring requirements. Once the system resumes operation, further updates will be provided here.