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Commercial and recreational skippers navigating the Southern Ocean can now access refuelling facilities at Albany Waterfront Marina.

Department of Transport (DoT) Coastal Facilities Director Donna West said local company Fuel Distributors of WA (FDWA) recently commenced operations from the service wharf making refuelling significantly safer and easier for users of the world class facility.

FDWA was one of two proponents to respond to a call by DoT for expressions of interest in providing fuel services at the facility in 2019. Following discussions, lease negotiations, licensing and approvals were finalised with FDWA late last year.

FDWA now own and operate the seven-day, 24-hour facility on DoT land, meeting the Australian Standard for the delivery of diesel over water and providing marina users with a safe, reliable refuelling service. Previously, skippers independently arranged fuel deliveries at the marina which was a greater environmental risk to the facility.

Ms West said Albany was recognised as the best departing and landing point for skippers crossing the Great Australian Bight.

“The marina is strategically located for local and interstate vessels making the crossing and now skippers can fill their tanks before or after their journey,” Ms West said.
“The unique location of the marina within easy walking distance to Albany’s main street, together with its modern, practical, family friendly facilities make it the perfect location to rest before or after navigating the demanding Southern Ocean.

“As West Australians Wander Out Yonder to support local business following the COVID-19 Pandemic we encourage them to visit the marina, whether by boat or by foot, and sample the many experiences on offer.”

Find out more about Albany Waterfront Marina.

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

A flexible work program, expert advice and careful monitoring contributed to the successful completion of annual sand bypassing at Dawesville following the detection of a colony of an endangered Australian bird species nesting at Pyramids Beach.

Department of Transport (DoT) Executive Director Maritime Steve Jenkins said a colony of Australian Fairy Terns, a species protected under State and Commonwealth legislation, was found nesting on Pyramids Beach in January prior to works commencing.

“In response, DoT took advice from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Western Australian Fairy Tern Conservation Network on how to manage the bypassing campaign without disturbing the nesting colony,” Mr Jenkins said.

“The colony was one of the largest observed in the State in more than 10 years and contained the oldest known Fairy Tern in the world.

“Drones were used to monitor the nests and works were timed to achieve the best possible outcome for the birds with no impact on the colony during the 11 week bypassing campaign that saw around 100,000 cubic metres of sand from Pyramids Beach pumped north of the entrance to the Dawesville Cut via pipes on the seabed.”

The $900,000 bypassing project has ensured the entrance channel remains navigable and beaches located north of Dawesville receive the volume of sand they require to limit erosion in winter.

Mr Jenkins said with the successful completion at Dawesville, the focus of DoT’s coastal maintenance work would now move to the Mandurah Ocean Entrance for a similar sand bypassing and replenishment campaign to ensure safe navigation and a wider Town Beach for summer.

“Funded by the State Government and City of Mandurah at a cost of $1.2 million, the work will see about 150,000 cubic metres of sand relocated prior to completion in November,” Mr Jenkins said.

Beach users are asked to observe the warnings in place and keep well clear of the works which will occur during daylight hours from Monday to Friday.

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

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

The Department of Transport is helping WA schools to get more students walking, riding, scooting and catching public transport with its Your Move Schools Term 2 ‘Super Boost’.

The Super Boost gives eligible Your Move schools access to free bike safety checks, bike education workshops to equip kids with the skills and confidence they need to ride safely and cycling instructor training for teachers to enable them to continue to teach this valuable life skill. 

The Department of Transport’s Executive Director Urban Mobility Justin McKirdy said the Super Boost is a fantastic opportunity for schools to access a range of active transport initiatives at no cost.

“Our Your Move schools are doing a fantastic job in encouraging students and their families to get out of the car and walk or ride to school more often and I am pleased to bolster their efforts further by providing these free bike safety and education programs,” Mr McKirdy said.

“Providing access to bike education not only gives kids the practical skills and confidence they need to ride a bike safely – it gives them a healthy habit for life.”

Mount Lawley Primary School, an active participant in the Your Move Schools program for almost two years, can attest to the success of bike education having rolled it out to its Year 1 students earlier this year. 

Acting Principal Sandra Martin said the cohort thoroughly enjoyed the program and it was a pleasure to see their skills and confidence grow over the series of workshops. 

“The students and their families are now proudly riding to and from school without their training wheels and it is wonderful to see them getting more exercise and spending quality time together,” Mrs Martin said. 

“I am excited to offer our students and teachers further opportunities to build a healthy, active school community thanks to Your Move’s Term 2 Super Boost.”

For more information on the Your Move Schools program and how to access to Term 2 Super Boost, visit the Your Move website. 

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

Image: Mount Lawley Primary School student participating in bike education.