Work starts on new weir at Bandy Creek

Work has commenced on the new $4.9 million weir at Bandy Creek Boat Harbour in Esperance.

Project and harbour manager, the Department of Transport (DoT), is asking people to abide by the signage and not enter the construction area.

DoT Director Project Delivery Cameron Smith said skippers should also be aware silt curtains had been implemented upstream and downstream of the construction site and skippers should maintain a safe distance by remaining downstream of the marker buoy.

 “With work now underway on site we are asking people in the area to take extra care on land and on the water and observe the restrictions that have been implemented to ensure public safety,” Mr Smith said.

Contractor Italia Stone Group (Pty Ltd) will take nine months to complete the work which will involve 10,000 tonnes of earthworks and rockworks and see 400 tonnes of concrete poured.

Mr Smith said the design, location and alignment of the new weir would reduce the chance of future damage to the structure.

Positioned 50 metres upstream of the old weir, its design will increase the capacity of the structure to handle flood events and make it more resilient. It also allows tidal flushing and fish movement between the creek and harbour to continue and there will be no impact on the water level or quality of the Ramsar protected wetlands upstream.

In February 2017 the current structure was overtopped by floodwater causing significant damage including erosion of its foundation and a collapse at the southern end.

The majority of funding for the project will come from insurance. People wanting more information or a copy of the design can visit the DoT website.  

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