Australia: Water Highway to Brisbane Open

The Canaipa Passage navigation channel has reopened. Dredging works to realign the channel have been completed in this important link between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

In March, long time local business Neumann Contractors was engaged to carry out dredging of the channel at the southern end of North Stradbroke Island near the Slipping Sands, removing sand shoals in both the north and south crossover channels.

“Shoaling in channels happens all the time,” said Gold Coast Waterways Authority CEO Hal Morris.

“A key part of our busy works program is to dredge affected channels and anchorages so that our waterways are safe and accessible.

“Just in the last six months we have finished dredging in the lower Coomera River, Jacobs Well and three channels around Wave Break Island, and that is just the start. There is much more in the pipeline including Tipplers Passage and Labrador Channel,” Mr Morris said.

The southern crossover channel in Canaipa Passage has been moved slightly to the south to better align with the natural seabed contours and navigational aids in the area have been re-positioned to reflect this change.

The dredged sand has been pumped onto the eroded beaches in front of the fishing huts and along the beach in front of the Slipping Sands on the western side of North Stradbroke Island.

The Queensland Government created the Gold Coast Waterways Authority in December 2012 to deliver better management and greater access to waterways such as Canaipa Passage.

In March 2014 Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Scott Emerson released the Authority’s 10 year Strategy to sustain, enhance and promote the waterways. Implementation of the Strategy will predominantly be through the Waterways Management Program which details the projects and activities undertaken by the authority.

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Press Release, May 22, 2014