Port of Melbourne authorities claim channel deepening project will be completed on time despite dredging work stopping for three months
Port of Melbourne authorities claim the port’s channel deepening project will be completed on time despite dredging work stopping for three months.
One of the dredging ships, Cornelius Zanen, left the port yesterday and will not return untuil early February.
Furthermore, the Queen of the Netherlands is leaving Port Phillip Bay tomorrow and will return in March.
Authorities say the break in dredging is part of the management plan agreed to before work began.
They say there is a clause in the plan stating no works will be issued between December 18 and January 31.
According to authorities, work on the bay is “technically complete”, and is on track to be completde for use by March 2009.
“It has never been our intention to dredge in the south of the bay in recognition of the peak periods, a spokesperson says.
“Essentially for a period of three months there are no major dredging works scheduled for the south of the bay. This will eliminate potential disruption to tourism and bay users during a peak holiday period.”