New contract benefits State’s dredging program

The Department for Transport (DoT) has awarded a major long-term contract to improve the efficiency and reduce the frequency of dredging required at different coastal locations each year.

The contract, with an estimated value of $13.35 million, will see BMT Commercial Australia Pty Ltd provide professional consultancy services to support DoT’s annual dredging program.

The program is worth around $7.9 million and provides maintenance dredging, sand bypassing and coastal management at more than 30 sites along the WA coast including the ports at Wyndham and Derby in the north to Bandy Creek Boat Harbour in the south at varying frequencies.

DoT Maritime Executive Director Steve Jenkins said a year-long multi-stage procurement process had resulted in a four-year contract with options to extend up to two years for dredging design, environmental management and project management services.

“The aim of the contract is to achieve long term solution-based outcomes and efficiencies in the State-wide maintenance dredging program,” Mr Jenkins said.

The contract secures up to 32 jobs including the creation of 12 new positions in a specialised field that is essential to the ongoing safe operations of our navigable waters, harbours and marinas, and continued sound coastal management.

“DoT is committed to an efficient, sustainable maintenance dredging program and limiting the impact of dredging operations to the general public and surrounding environment,” Mr Jenkins said

“Having worked previously with DoT for around 10 years under different contracts, BMT has proven experience in this specialised field and the long-term contract will support the continued development of local expertise with the creation of opportunities for engineers, engineering technologists, and marine environment scientists.

“This is a significant contract that will see the company continue to play an important role helping DoT deliver its maintenance dredging program at minimal cost and with maximum benefit to our coastal lifestyle in WA.”

For information about DoT’s dredging program visit our website.

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