Port Geographe

Port Geographe is a large canal and marina development to the east of Busselton. It has been progressively established by private developers since the 1990s.

Coastal works program

Situation update

The 2011 coastal works program commenced in October.

As the developer has ceased all work associated with Port Geographe, the Department of Transport (DoT) and The Shire of Busselton are again working collaboratively to remove approximately 150,000 cubic metres of sand and seagrass wrack from the beach west of the development. With a stormy 2011 winter, larger volumes than in 2009 and 2010 are required to be removed.

The program is estimated to take approximately seven weeks.

Contracted and supervised by DoT and the Shire, a local operator has been engaged to remove sand and seagrass wrack from the western beach. The selection of the local contractor followed a publicly advertised tender process.


Port Geographe – seagrass wrack accumulation on the western beach, August 2011

Entrance channel clearance

With reports of seagrass wrack accreting in the Port Geographe entrance channel and affecting navigability, DoT issued a Temporary Notice to Mariners advising of the hazard posed by the moving seagrass.

DoT completed a number of investigations, including recent hydrographic surveys in September and October and instigated a trial to consider the effectiveness of using a fishing vessel to loosen and remove the obstructing material.

The before and after hydrographic surveys show improved depths in the Port Geographe harbour entrance as a result of the initial trial.

A second phase to the trial is currently under consideration. In the meantime the Temporary Notice to Mariners (TNTM) remains in force and mariners are advised to continue to use caution when navigating the entrance channel.


Port Geographe harbour entrance – seagrass wrack accretion has led to the issuing of a Temporary Notice to Mariners

Coastal structures

Work is continuing into the translation of concepts for an alternative coastal profile at Port Geographe into detailed engineering designs. This follows the recommendations of The University of Western Australia's (UWA) modeling studies into the dynamic movement of sand and sediment in Geographe Bay. The study recommends a more streamlined orientation of groynes and seawall to alleviate problems of seagrass wrack and sand accumulation on the western beach, and erosion of the inside corner at Wonnerup.


Port Geographe - a realignment of the coastal structures has been recommended by modeling studies

Seagrass and sediment studies

Research from UWA into seagrass wrack and sediment (sand) movement at Port Geographe has been released. The 'Port Geographe Sand and Seagrass Wrack Modelling Study' recommends a reconfiguration of the coastal structures at Port Geographe to alleviate the current problems in this area including seagrass wrack accumulation, siltation and erosion. This second phase of the research completed the modeling of design options commenced by UWA in its earlier study into seagrass wrack dynamics (April 2010).

The author of the study is Professor Pattiaratchi, of the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics in the School of Environmental Systems Engineering at UWA. Professor Pattiaratchi has been involved in the research project since 2007 and is an acknowledged expert in coastal oceanography. The full study can be accessed online and downloaded from this web page as listed below.

The initial study, jointly funded by the Department of Transport (DoT) and the Shire of Busselton resulted in the release of the 200 page report 'Seagrass Wrack Dynamics in Geographe Bay, Western Australia' in April 2010. Data collected during the seagrass study permitted concepts to address the seagrass wrack problems at Port Geographe to be developed and modeled.

This second phase of research has since incorporated sediment (sand) movement data. The result is a recommended conceptual design to better manage the problems associated with both sand and seagrass at Port Geographe. Following a period of community consultation, the next stage will be to translate the recommended model into a detailed engineering design.


Recommended concept for reconfiguration of Port Geographe coastal structures from the Port Geographe Sand and Seagrass Wrack Modelling Study.

Both DoT and the Shire have encouraged the community to review the study and its findings and to make comment on the study's recommendations. A questionnaire can be completed online or printed from this webpage and returned (see below). It will only take 1-2 minutes to complete.

Reports

The latest study, the Port Geographe Sand and Seagrass Wrack Modelling Study - March 2011, is available for download:

 

Survey

Feedback in relation to the latest study and its recommendations is sought. You are invited to complete the community survey either online or by printing out and returning the survey form:

 
 

Completed print version surveys should be forwarded either by post:

James Holder Project Manager - Port Geographe
Department of Transport
PO Box 402
Fremantle WA 6959
Or by email: PortGeographe.Info@transport.wa.gov.au

Earlier reports

The full study report of the first study into seagrass wrack dynamics and the abbreviated synopsis report are both available for download:

Synopsis - Seagrass Wrack Dynamics in Geographe Bay Western Australia  
     
 

Feedback

Feedback in relation to the completed study and its recommendations is sought. Comments can be forwarded by either:

Email: PortGeographe.Info@transport.wa.gov.au; or post to:

The Project Manager - Port Geographe
Department of Transport
PO Box 402, Fremantle WA 6959

Sediment and Seagrass Reference Group

The Sediment and Seagrass Reference Group represented the broad spectrum of coastal interests, issues and concerns surrounding the Port Geographe development. The group has had access to the UWA study team's expertise and to DoT's engineering advice.

The final recommendations of this reference group will be released in concurrently with UWA's research report.

Photo: Meeting of the Port Geographe Sediment and Seagrass Reference Group

Community consultation forum

Set up by the present Government in 2009, the Port Geographe Community Consultation Forum provides a point of discussion and liaison between the Government, the Shire of Busselton, the developers and the local community on Port Geographe issues. Chaired by the Hon Barry House MLC, it is a platform where issues of coastal management, waterway management and other environmental and health issues can be examined. A recent initiative of this group is to provide regular updates on matters discussed at meetings which are held every 5-6 weeks.

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