Dredging will begin in March at the Port of Devonport in Tasmania under a new agreement between TasPorts and Dutch Dredging Australia Pty Ltd.
The 14-week maintenance campaign is expected to involve the removal and relocation of about 470,000 cubic metres of sediment from the port which TasPorts says will support “safe navigation and efficient operations”.
In a statement on the TasPorts news feed, TasPorts Group Executive Major Projects, Assets and Technical Services, Michel de Vos says regular dredging and seabed levelling is an essential part of TasPorts’ ongoing maintenance program, securing Tasmania’s connection with mainland Australia and international markets.
“Sediment naturally accumulates in the Mersey River and operational port waters as a result of tidal movements and river flows,” de Vos says.
“Routine dredging ensures the navigational channels and berths remain at their declared depths, providing a safe navigational passage for Tasmania’s major freight and tourism operators.”
Last financial year, the Port of Devonport played host to 938 vessels, accounting for more than four million tonnes of freight.
Dredging will be carried out under TasPorts’ new 10-year Sea Dumping permit, issued by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) which allows for the relocation of materials to an offshore disposal site about 15kms from the Port.
The permit allows for the safe relocation of dredged material to an offshore disposal site located approximately 15 kilometres offshore.
Mr de Vos said the approval of TasPorts’ dredging permit was underpinned by extensive environmental assessments, detailed planning and meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including an independent Technical Advisory Consultative Committee (TACC).
TasPorts will run a 24/7 water quality monitoring program during the dredging campaign, supported by six monitoring buoys which were deployed around the port last year.
TACC Independent Chair Ian Cartwright said the Committee played a vital role in fostering open and transparent dialogue between TasPorts and the community.
“Since 2022, the Committee has worked closely with TasPorts to ensure the planned Devonport dredging program considers stakeholder concerns, feedback and priorities. This has included input into the selection of the offshore disposal site and the campaign’s water quality monitoring” Cartwright says.
“TasPorts has worked closely with the TACC to develop a best-practice Adaptive Monitoring and Management Plan, which includes additional water quality monitoring buoys.
“This consultative approach has been key to understanding and taking account of community interests while meeting the operational needs of one of Tasmania’s most important ports.”
A rolling average of live water quality data will be made publicly available on the TasPorts website before the campaign commences in March.