Dredging complete at Murchison River in Kalbarri

Boating at Kalbarri is safer following the completion of maintenance dredging to widen the channel and restore safe navigational depths at the mouth of Murchison River.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director Coastal Facilities Donna West said the work, which started in January, included dredging of the land back wharf and boat pens which had not been undertaken for nearly a decade.

“More regular dredging of the entrance, last completed in 2018, ensures continued safe access for recreational and commercial fishing craft through the waterway and local users identified the need for the extended campaign to ensure the continued safe operation of the facility,” Ms West said.

“The $1,250,000 project involved the dredging of approximately 40,000 cubic metres of sediment over a period of 29 weeks resulting in the restoration of safe navigational depths, allowing better access to the river for commercial and leisure vessels.

“Part of the dredged material was used to nourish the popular Chinaman’s Beach helping improve the amenity of the beach.”

Ms West said the value of the work to the boating community had been demonstrated during the campaign with the DoT contractors onsite assisting in the rescue of two people after their vessel capsized as they navigated the entrance.
 
Drones were used during the project, providing environmental monitoring and progress updates.
 
Monitoring of channel depth at the mouth of the Murchison River is undertaken regularly and dredging planned accordingly, if required.

For more information about the project or DoT's maintenance dredging program throughout Western Australia visit our website.

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