MidCoast Council will begin the Corrie navigation channel dredging work on the lower Myall River at Tea Gardens in late May.
“The works will remove approximately 21,000 cubic meters of sand which is to be pumped to the current Winda Woppa sand stockpile site. From there it will be used for the future renourishment of Jimmys Beach and a section of eroding shoreline to the west of Barnes Rock, ” said Council’s Assistant Environmental Officer (Great Lakes area), Peter Goonan.
The Corrie Channel is situated where the Lower Myall River meets the Port Stephens Estuary on the north-western side of Corrie Island.
The dredge site itself is located approximately 2 km from Tea Gardens.
“The Corrie Channel is the designated (NSW Roads and Maritime Services) navigation route between Port Stephens and the Myall River and links Nelson Bay and the port of Tea Gardens ,” said Mr Goonan.
A bathymetric survey carried out in March 2016 indicates that the channel has in-filled some 21,000 m³ since the previous 2010 dredging campaign.
“The sand build-up within the channel is now restricting access for larger vessels. Dredging of the channel is required to maintain navigation and ensure public safety and access between Port Stephens/Tea Gardens, ” said Mr Goonan.
The former Great Lakes Council engaged Neumann Contractors to undertake the dredging works which will create a channel 20 m wide and over 300 m in length to a depth of 3.5 m.
Neumann’s began transporting plant equipment to the site this week and the dredging operations will start very soon.
The contractors will ensure that minimal disruption to navigation is maintained throughout the dredging works.
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