Bandy Creek Weir

In February 2017, the weir was overtopped during a flood event, resulting in significant damage to the structure including erosion of the foundational material and collapse of the southern end of concrete weir structure. The Department of Transport (DoT) has recently completed construction of a new weir at Bandy Creek to safeguard the harbour from future flood events.

Positioned 50 metres upstream from the previous weir, the new structure’s design has increased capacity to handle flood events and is more resilient. The works included:

• Demolition of the damaged structure.
• Construction of a new low level weir, which will ensure tidal flushing and fish movement between the creek and harbour, with no adverse effect on the water level or quality of the RAMSAR protected wetlands upstream.
• Installation of sheet pile wall below the weir, which acts as a barrier to prevent erosion of foundation material.
• Construction of an elevated road platform for pedestrian, emergency and service vehicles.

A structure across the Bandy Creek waterway offers many benefits to the community and environment, such as:

• Reducing sediment deposition from the Bandy Creek into the boat harbour, minimising the volume of dredging required.
• Maintaining a suitable water level in the creek to protect the RAMSAR wetlands upstream.
• Providing an access road for emergency vehicles.
• Maintain a suitable utility corridor for water, sewerage and communications.

Bandy Creek concept design for new weir

The Bandy Creek Boat Harbour at Esperance will be safeguarded from future flood events following the completion, on schedule, of a $5.1 million replacement weir.

Under contract to the Department of Transport (DoT), WA company Italia Stone Group (Pty Ltd) delivered the nine-month project which included 10,000 tonnes of earth and rock works and saw 400 tonnes of concrete poured. Works were completed in April 2020.

The construction project saw 78 workers employed, including 56 in the region. Aboriginal employment was also supported throughout the works with 15 people employed during the works. 25 local Esperance businesses contributed to and benefited from the project.

The project was completed in compliance with heritage and environmental approvals.

Funding

The Bandy Creek Weir structure is insured by RiskCover (Insurance Commission of Western Australia). The reconstruction of the $5.1 million replacement weir was funded primarily from an insurance settlement from RiskCover. Additional funds were also provided by the Western Australia Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (known as DRFAWA),  DoT and the Water Corporation.

	Bandy Creek Weir reconstruction FAQs	Kb
	Bandy Creek Weir location plan	Kb
	Bandy Creek Weir historic imagery	Kb
	Bandy Creek Weir flood event and underwater investigation	Kb
	Bandy Creek Weir concept design	Kb
	Bandy Creek Weir indicative timeline	Kb
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