The Port of Mackay’s Southern Breakwater will reopen to vehicles this Friday from 9am, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation said in its today’s release.
Commenting the latest news, NQBP Chief Executive Officer, Nicolas Fertin, said that he is pleased to report repairs to the Southern Breakwater are complete.
“We are happy to be reopening the breakwater to vehicles in time for the Christmas holidays,” Mr Fertin said.
“ NQBP has completed the repairs on budget and ahead of schedule.”
The Southern Breakwater sustained extensive damage during Cyclone Debbie in March 2017. Investigations after the cyclone, including 3D scanning, revealed significant damage to all three of the Port’s breakwaters.
“Unfortunately, while it may only take a day for a cyclone to cause damage, it can take more than a year to rebuild, ” Mr Fertin said.
“Most of the damage to the Southern Breakwater was where the rocks slope down towards the sea.”
Mr Fertin also added that it is very important for the community to understand that while repairs are now complete, the breakwater is not “cyclone-proof”.
“The breakwater’s primary function is to provide a level of protection to the Port and marina ,” Mr Fertin said.
“ Unfortunately, due to the fierce and unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones, with sometimes forces that are above the original design of our infrastructure, we will continue to plan for maintenance and repairs to all our breakwaters for many years to come.”
Repairs to all three of the Port of Mackay’s breakwaters are now complete, costing approximately $14 million.
More than 100,000 tonnes of locally supplied rock was placed onto all three breakwaters.