Published: Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at 10:26:56 AM
The work will involve removing naturally accumulated sediment from the FBH entrance and surrounds, to maintain safe, navigable waters.
Natural sediment build-up at Geraldton’s Port occurs as a result of wind and wave energy moving sediment predominantly in a northerly direction, causing material to accumulate in key navigational areas.
Mid West Ports CEO Damian Tully said maintenance dredging was common practice in Ports around the world and played an essential role in ensuring safe navigation and access for vessels, as well as keeping marine assets, like the harbour, operating.
”As a Port, we have undertaken extensive studies to understand natural coastal processes and sediment accumulation across the Geraldton region,” Mr Tully said.
“Our commitment to sustainably managing sediment is underpinned by an extensive understanding of how sediment moves into and across the region, and this enables us to make informed decisions about how we manage our port and care for our environment.
“Maintaining the balance between the management of vital underwater assets, while protecting our unique marine and coastal environment, is integral to our approach.”
Mr Tully added that activities to manage marine sediments in ports is highly regulated and subject to regulatory approval processes.
Mid West Ports has a range of programs in place to monitor the environment in and around the Port. These include marine habitat mapping, marine sediment characterisation, shoreline surveys and water quality monitoring.
Maintenance dredging is informed by these programs as well as third party technical advice and environmental
impact assessments.
“Prior to any decision to dredge and place sediment material, we complete a comprehensive assessment to
identify feasible options for its beneficial reuse,” Mr Tully said:
“Beach nourishment between Beresford and Sunset has been identified as the best placement option for this
program on this occasion, enabling reuse of valuable natural sediments.
“This approach would involve establishing a temporary dewatering facility on Pages Beach with extracted
material then transported to the northern beaches by road.”
Mid West Ports will continue to keep the community informed and work closely with local government and
harbour users as the project progresses.
Mid West Ports will be holding information sessions, sharing resources and providing the community with
opportunities to learn more in coming months.
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