Dredging starts at Mandurah Ocean Entrance

The Department of Transport (WA) has commenced dredging at the Mandurah Ocean Entrance to ensure safe navigation and a wider Town Beach for summer after completing a successful sand bypassing campaign at Dawesville.

DoT Manager Asset Management Sam Mettam said that the $1.8 million project would see about 150,000 cubic meters of sand excavated from Halls Head Beach and pumped to Town Beach prior to completion in November.

“Funded by the State Government and the City of Mandurah, the work ensures safe access for vessels navigating the Mandurah Ocean Marina and Port of Mandurah canals, and also replenishes sand on Town Beach and ensures supply to other beaches located east of the channel,” Mr Mettam said.

From February to June this year about 130,000 cubic meters of sand from Pyramids Beach was pumped north of the entrance to the Dawesville Cut to replenish sand levels on beaches to the north of the channel.

The $1.5 million project had required special monitoring for the possible return of a colony of protected Australian Fairy Terns to nest on Pyramids Beach.