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A concept for the reconfiguration of Jurien Bay Boat Harbour will this week be shared with key stakeholders in the local community as part of ongoing work to address water quality issues at the facility.

Department of Transport (DoT) Manager Maritime Projects James Holder said the reconfiguration concept had been developed using the results of comprehensive data collection, research and trials during the past six years including wave monitoring, coastal modelling and environmental studies, dredging, trawling and the use of a bubble curtain to prevent wrack moving into the harbour.
 
“A number of reconfiguration proposals were ranked for practicality and viability before the preferred 90 metre spur groyne addition to the northern breakwater was selected,” Mr Holder said.

“Modelling of the positioning of the new groyne shows that a high percentage of the seagrass that would enter the harbour in the current arrangement, will either bypass the reconfigured entrance or stay on the northern side. This should result in a significant improvement in water quality within the harbour.”

This week the project team will gain initial feedback on the concept from key stakeholders as part of a study to determine the economic and social impacts of a reconfiguration of the entrance to the harbour. It’s envisaged broader community consultation will follow.

Mr Holder said the concept was an important step forward in the process of finding a long-term solution to the water quality issues at the harbour.

“DoT is working closely with the Shire of Dandaragan while funding options are being investigated and work on the detailed design and project approvals are being progressed,” Mr Holder said.

People wanting more information can visit our website and feedback can be provided by emailing JurienBoatHarbour.info@transport.wa.gov.au
 
Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

The Department of Transport (DoT) has completed its latest maintenance dredging campaign at Lancelin – ensuring safe navigation and access to Lancelin Jetty and wider local beaches this spring.

DoT Maritime Executive Director Steve Jenkins said the $600,000 three-month project had been completed on time and on budget with the help of the local community.

“More than 10,000 cubic metres of sand was dredged from the channels, and most of it was deposited on Grace Darling Beach south of the jetty,” Mr Jenkins said.

“The additional sand will widen the beach enhancing the enjoyment of the area by the local community and visitors this spring.

“The work was undertaken in close consultation with the Shire of Gingin and we are very pleased to achieve this outcome for the community.”

The project team acknowledged the cooperation of skippers and beach goers who assisted in the successful completion of the project abiding by the special safety arrangements implemented for the dredging and sand replenishment works.

DoT’s maintenance dredging program along the WA coastline provides ongoing safe access to and from key boating facilities.   

For more information about DoT’s dredging and sand bypassing program visit our website.

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

A technical review of the performance of the reconfigured coastline at Port Geographe has recommended changes to current wrack dispersion and sand bypassing programs plus further investigation of options to address ongoing sea wrack accumulation and erosion issues.

A total of 10 recommendations have been outlined in a report, of which 5 have been released for community comment today.

The Department of Transport (DoT) in partnership with the City of Busselton established a technical working group in February 2020 following a commitment in late 2019 to assess the performance of the reconfigured structures and recommend actions to further improve performance. 

Assessment of 34 improvement ideas for the Western Beach, Wonnerup Beach, the marina entrance channel and lagoon included four community submissions.

Key recommendations include:

1. Trial of wrack pushing (with machinery) on the Western Beach earlier in winter prior to suitable winter storms (from July) to assist the natural flow, reduce accumulation and potentially reduce the amount of wrack entering the entrance channel.
2. To improve access to the Western Beach, investigate an alternative approach with different measures to the Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan.
3. Investigation of low-profile groynes on Western Beach to reduce local sand erosion.
4. Trial the redistribution of excess sand accumulated in the near shore water from the western end of the Port Geographe Coastal Management Area by dredging or trucking to Wonnerup Beach.
5. Reuse of the small volume of clean dredged sand accumulated at offshore disposal area to replace sand at Wonnerup.

DoT Director of Coastal Facilities Donna West said while five recommendations have been prioritised and community feedback sought to develop a program of works for the next two years,10 of the 34 ideas assessed had been recommended.

“There has been a long history of community involvement at Port Geographe and responses to a specially developed online survey about the recommendations will be carefully considered,” Ms West said.

“Residents and the broader community are encouraged to participate and have their say by Sunday 23 August 2020.”

For a copy of the report or to participate in the consultation visit our website.

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