The City of Mandurah’s dredging program, which is crucial for maintaining safe navigation depths, has made significant progress at the Port Mandurah canal entrance channel, with works now set to move to the Mandurah Ocean Marina entrance.
The program is essential to remove built-up sediment from channels to ensure that water routes remain safe and accessible, particularly with the busy summer boating period approaching. The sediment targeted in this process is a mixture of seaweed and sand that has accumulated since the last dredging campaign, completed two years ago.
All boat-users are asked to observe any signage or temporary navigational markers and maintain a safe distance from ongoing works across the project area.
Dredging takes place during daylight hours from Monday to Friday, but boaters should be aware of equipment at all times throughout the dredging period, which is expected to continue until 15 December, 2023.
The City continues to work closely with the contractors overseeing the project to ensure that environmental management standards are upheld. Daily water quality monitoring and ongoing observations at the disposal site are a key part of ensuring that the health of our waterways and the wildlife that rely on them can be maintained.
During the sediment pumping process, dark sediments may appear in the water but settle within approximately 24hrs. The dark colour and potential odour are due to a lack of sun exposure on the estuary floor and the seaweed contained in the sediment.
The City also appreciates the ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transport, who are conducting the annual sand bypassing program from Doddis Beach to Town Beach at this time, which is expected to finish 1 December, 2023.
Enquiries related to the annual sand bypassing should be directed to the Department at dredging@transport.wa.gov.au
Learn more about dredging and sand bypassing in Mandurah.
