Dredging works worth more than $3 million announced for Port Douglas
PORT DOUGLAS
PORT Douglas marina users are set for better boating access with a contract worth nearly $3 million announced to commence dredging works.
Main Roads and Ports Minister, Mark Bailey, announced that state dredging contractors, Hall Contracting Pty Ltd, had won the contract to improve navigational access for the marina.
Approximately 50,000 cubic metres of sediment from the harbour entrance channel and internal access channels will be removed, nearly enough to fill twenty Olympic swimming pools.
Detailed modelling suggests that realigning and widening the mouth of the entrance tunnel should reduce the frequency of maintenance dredging by up to 50 per cent, causing less disruption to marina users and saving significant amounts for Queensland taxpayers.
“Water quality monitoring will take place throughout the works, to ensure nearby sensitive habitats are not impacted by the dredging,” Bailey said.
“This is a major win for North Queensland boat users. Once finished, boaties will have easier and safer access to the harbour.”
Bailey urged all boat users to take care around the dredge vessels and pipeline while the works are completed.
The five-month dredging project is being funded through the State Government’s Marine Infrastructure Fund.
Work is expected to commence in early November following the completion of a pipeline to remove material to a rehandling facility alongside the rifle range on the Cook Highway, west of Port Douglas.
This announcement comes after the government recently confirmed it was investigating an upgrade to the Newell Beach boat ramp. Sediment sampling and plant mapping have commenced at Newell Beach.
Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
* Readers are encouraged to use their full details below to ensure comment legitimacy. Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport or its staff. Comments containing unlawful, obscene, defamatory or abusive material will not be published.
