Introduction
Background
The Marine Pollution Bill 2011 (NSW) (Bill) was
introduced into the Legislative Council and received its first
reading speech on 23 November 2011. The Bill is due to receive its
second reading on the first sitting day of Parliament, being 14
February 2012. The Bill is designed to protect NSW marine and
coastal environment from pollution by oil and other marine
pollutants discharged from ships.
The Bill proposes to repeal and re-enact the Marine Pollution
Act 1987 (NSW) (current Act), which currently
prohibits discharges of oil and noxious liquid substances. The Bill
is also designed to implement additional provisions of the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
1973 (MARPOL), so as to also prohibit discharges
of harmful substances in packaged form and discharges of sewage and
garbage.
