Mechanical issues cause pause in dredging
Mechanical issues with the dredge clearing the Ettalong Channel have paused dredging operations, while a replacement is brought in.
The damaged Faucon dredge is on its way back to its base on the Gold Coast, where the crew will return with "a new and improved dredge", said Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.
"I am glad to see that Faucon's sister ship, Port Frederick, will be on its way as soon as possible.
"The replacement dredge will be able to complete in one day the work that Faucon was able to complete in 2.5 days, she said.
"This dredge was unable to be used in the first instance as it requires a wider channel than was previously present until Faucon's work commenced."
She said that the Faucon had been able to widen the channel sufficiently for the Port Frederick, which was a more effective trailing suction dredge.
The dredging is expected to remove 30,000 cubic metres of sand to create a 30-metre wide channel, both inside and on the ocean side of Half-Tide Rocks that can accommodate vessels with a 2.5 metre draft.
Dredged sand will be placed in the water on Ettalong Shoals, just off Ocean Beach, as with previous dredging efforts.
As part of this project, measures will be put in place to protect environmentally-sensitive areas. This will include establishing buffer areas to prevent the disturbance of sea grasses.
Future campaigns would explore the possibility of sand renourishment of Ettalong Beach, Ms Tesch said.
SOURCE:
Media release, 31 Aug 2023
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford