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Increasing the size of the water ski area at Belmont to make turning safer for skiers once a proposed jetty is built is one of two proposals to increase user safety and boost access to the Upper Reaches of the Swan River.
 
Department of Transport (DoT) Acting Director Waterways Management Mark Briant said community comment was now sought as part of the Swan River (Upper Reaches) Aquatic Use Review.

He said the proposals were the result of initial consultation with key stakeholders, including City of Belmont, City of Swan, City of Bayswater, Town of Bassendean and Town of Victoria Park and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

"The purpose of the review is to ensure the safe, equitable and sustainable use of the Swan River upstream of the Windan Bridge as the area develops, population grows and demand increases for a variety of aquatic activities,” Mr Briant said.

Proposed changes include:
• Extension of the water ski area 100 metres upstream and145 metres downstream at Belmont to improve skier safety, in light of a proposed new public jetty on the southern bank just upstream of the Belmont Racecourse.
• Due to DoT’s increased CCTV monitoring of compliance, implement a two-year trial allowing personal water craft to navigate as a vessel upstream of the Windan Bridge at the current 5 knot limit with freestyle driving remaining prohibited.

Mr Briant said feedback from regular users of the river would be considered to ensure any changes reflected local community views.

For more information about the aquatic review, make a comment on the proposals or participate in a survey about the changes visit My Say Transport.  

Comment on the proposals is sought until 30 October 2020.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Work has commenced on a long-term cycling strategy for the Avon and Central Coast region to identify an aspirational network to improve safety and connectivity for residents and support local businesses by creating tourism opportunities.

The State Government is developing the Avon Central Coast 2050 Cycling Strategy in partnership with the Shires of Beverley, Chittering, Dandaragan, Gingin, Northam, Toodyay and York and is seeking input from the community.

As well as sharing how they use the current bicycle network and how they would like to see it developed, the community is invited to have their say on a range of potential opportunities identified in a preliminary regional network.

The community can share their thoughts via My Say Transport until Friday November 6 or at a number of upcoming community drop-ins being held throughout the region.

Read full media statement

The Department for Transport (DoT) has awarded a major long-term contract to improve the efficiency and reduce the frequency of dredging required at different coastal locations each year.

The contract, with an estimated value of $13.35 million, will see BMT Commercial Australia Pty Ltd provide professional consultancy services to support DoT’s annual dredging program.

The program is worth around $7.9 million and provides maintenance dredging, sand bypassing and coastal management at more than 30 sites along the WA coast including the ports at Wyndham and Derby in the north to Bandy Creek Boat Harbour in the south at varying frequencies.

DoT Maritime Executive Director Steve Jenkins said a year-long multi-stage procurement process had resulted in a four-year contract with options to extend up to two years for dredging design, environmental management and project management services.

“The aim of the contract is to achieve long term solution-based outcomes and efficiencies in the State-wide maintenance dredging program,” Mr Jenkins said.

The contract secures up to 32 jobs including the creation of 12 new positions in a specialised field that is essential to the ongoing safe operations of our navigable waters, harbours and marinas, and continued sound coastal management.

“DoT is committed to an efficient, sustainable maintenance dredging program and limiting the impact of dredging operations to the general public and surrounding environment,” Mr Jenkins said

“Having worked previously with DoT for around 10 years under different contracts, BMT has proven experience in this specialised field and the long-term contract will support the continued development of local expertise with the creation of opportunities for engineers, engineering technologists, and marine environment scientists.

“This is a significant contract that will see the company continue to play an important role helping DoT deliver its maintenance dredging program at minimal cost and with maximum benefit to our coastal lifestyle in WA.”

For information about DoT’s dredging program visit our website.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au