Australia: Port of Melbourne Maintenance Dredging Set to Commence

Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) is set to commence maintenance dredging in the South Channel of Port Phillip Bay from next Monday 6 February.

This work is required as a routine part of port operations to ensure safe navigation and will involve the removal of sediment which has built up over time due to natural wave, tidal and storm events.

Works will commence with the arrival of the dredging vessel Brisbane which will carry out maintenance dredging of clean sand over a period of around thirty-five days.

During the works, approximately 330,000 cubic metres of clean sand will be dredged from South Channel and placed in the South East Dredged Material Ground located west of Mount Martha.

This volume is approximately 2% of the material dredged from the South Channel during the Channel Deepening Project.

All works will be governed by an approved Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Supported by PoMC’s hydrographic survey vessel the }ohn Worgate, the Brisbane is approximately 84 metres in length and will be visible from the shore.

“The need to undertake this work in South Channel has become increasingly urgent to maintain access to and from the port,” said Stephen Bradford, PoMC’s Chief Executive Officer.

“As with all dredging of sand there will be some turbidity. However, our detailed modelling drawn from our extensive previous experience indicates that it will not be long lasting and that it does not pose a threat to marine life or public amenity.

“Nevertheless, we will meet the requirements of the approved EMP in both spirit and practice to undertake this necessary work in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

“We welcome anglers and boating enthusiasts to continue to enjoy the Bay during these works but to do so safely by steering clear of the dredging vessel and support craft and, of course, avoiding anchoring or mooring in shipping channels at all times.”

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World Maritime News Staff, February 1, 2012;