New artwork for coastal work at Pyramids Beach

Regular beach goers are sure to notice some eye-catching additions to machinery used in annual work to ensure safe navigation at the entrance to the Dawesville Cut and sandy beaches to the north are maintained.

Department of Transport (DoT) General Manager of Coastal Infrastructure Steve Jenkins said the annual $1 million sand bypassing project would begin this week and see about 110,000 cubic metres of sand relocated.

“To ease the visual impact of the heavy machinery, which is located on the beach for more than three months, colourful, nautical themed artwork has been installed on each side of the 66 tonne slurry pumping unit,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Created by a local artists Ricky Gibson and Elli Moody and featuring marine life from the area, the artwork initiative follows collaboration between DoT, the City of Mandurah and the contractor CGC.”

To maintain the natural northward flow of sand along the coast, accumulated sand is excavated from Pyramids Beach and pumped north of the entrance to the Dawesville Cut via pipes on the seabed. This ensures the entrance channel remains navigable and beaches located north of Dawesville receive the supply of sand they require to limit erosion in winter.

Beach goers are urged to observe by the directional signage in place and abide by the restrictions until the completion of work in mid-June this year.

Environmental monitoring and management is in place for the project and DoT is working with the local community including local schools and sports clubs to minimise inconvenience.

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

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