A $3.35 million upgrade to the jetty of the Gold Coast Seaway’s Sand Bypass System has been given the green light, announced today Minister for Transport and Main Roads The Honorable Mark Bailey.
The investment, delivered in the Palaszczuk Government’s 2018 State Budget, will allow the jetty to safely accommodate the next generation of mobile cranes that carry out maintenance for the sand bypass operations.
“ The upgrade work to the jetty will see the replacement of the concrete deck with additional support beams to provide a strong, stable and safe platform for the cranes ,” Mr Bailey said. “ The Gold Coast Seaway was the world’s first permanent sand bypassing system and this investment future-proofs operations and ensures a safe, navigable entrance through the Seaway is protected. ”
According to the announcement, work is scheduled to start in early-2019, with an anticipated completion date of December 2019. During this time public access to the jetty and the beach below it will be restricted.
Sand pumping operations will continue as normal with work to the jetty being delivered in a phased and coordinated way.
Gold Coast Waterways Authority Chief Executive Officer, Hal Morris , said “ This important upgrade allows us to successfully continue sand bypass operations and protects the future of the Seaway.”
The sand bypass system operates through ten jet pumps which help keep the Seaway clear by moving over 500,000m³ of sand every year. The jet pumps require regular maintenance which can only be undertaken by lifting them by a crane from the sea bed.