Tenders have been called for the design and construction of 16 new floating boat pens at the Carnarvon Boat Harbour in Western Australia.
Construction of the new pens has been brought forward to help vessels not currently able to navigate the Fascine to open water.
The project is expected to cost up to $2.5 million and take one year to build. Engineering and environmental studies are underway to help determine the best approach to remedy long-term issues with access to the Fascine waterway.
Regular hydrographic surveys of the waterway have started and will measure changes to the channel while navigation markers have been repositioned to ensure vessel safety.
Construction of the floating boat pens is stage one of the $7 million project to improve ocean access for the commercial and recreational fleet. The project as a whole is part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan.
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The Carnarvon Boat Harbour launching ramp will remain open and available to recreational users until a long-term solution is implemented.
Works will be supported by the Fascine Entryway Project Steering Committee which includes representatives from the Gascoyne Development Commission, the Department of Transport, the Shire of Carnarvon and the Carnarvon Yacht Club.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said access issues for the Carnarvon Fascine have been an ongoing issue.
“That’s why we’ve allocated $7 million of funding to provide immediate assistance and to fund a long-term solution to the access issues at the Fascine,” she said.
“The release of today’s tender is an early milestone in the longer-term Fascine Entryway Project which will address access issues associated with this important waterway and provide significant economic and social benefits to the local community and the State.”
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the Fascine Entryway Project Steering Committee has shown commitment to finding a long-term solution to this problem
“The dedicated work of these groups in implementing an earlier trial dredging campaign is acknowledged and demonstrates the level of community support for a solution to the problem,” MacTiernan said.
“The State Government’s significant funding commitment through the WA Recovery Plan provides immediate assistance while the required investigations are undertaken to find a long-term solution to the access issues at the Fascine.”