Dredging to start next month at Jurien Bay Boat Harbour

To improve water quality at Jurien Bay Boat Harbour dredging will begin next month.

Last undertaken in late 2020, the removal of sand and seagrass from the entrance is expected to limit the opportunity for very low oxygen levels in the harbour waters causing fish kills and  the possible temporary closure of the beaches at the facility during the warmer summer months.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director of Coastal Facilities Donna West said contractors would begin setting up on site later this month ready for dredging operations to commence early in the new year.

“While dredging is underway access to the facility’s boat ramp may be temporarily restricted for short periods, but every effort will be made to limit disruption during peak periods,” Ms West said.

“It’s anticipated approximately 40,000 cubic metres of material will be dredged from the entrance and deposited offshore in a natural seabed depression during the four-month project.”

Commercial operators and recreational skippers navigating in the area are asked to take extra care during the dredging campaign. Flashing lights on the dredge and pipeline will make it visible to those operating in the area and skippers are asked to make radio contact when passing using VHF Channel 16 and Marine 27MHz Channel 88.

Dredging is key to DoT’s management of the facility as work continues to implement a long-term solution to water quality issues at the harbour. 

People wanting more information about the work at Jurien Bay Boat Harbour can visit our website or contact the dredging team by emailing dredging@transport.wa.gov.au 

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