Australia: Patterson River Dredging to Provide Safer Boating Access

Parks Victoria will commence maintenance dredging at Patterson River on Thursday 7 February following natural sand build up which has created a hazard for recreational boat operators.

“The works form part of Parks Victoria’s ongoing dredging program to ensure the continuation of safe boating access within Port Phillip and Western Port,” said Parks Victoria Ranger in Charge, Reece Taranto.

“The dredged material is predominantly sand and will be placed to the north of the River mouth, replicating the natural coastal processes and providing improvement to recreational amenity,” said Mr. Taranto.

Mr. Taranto added that the freshly dredged material contains organic material, mostly seaweed which gives the sand a dark colour and odour. Visitors to the beach should not be concerned as the sand is tested on a regular basis.

“While the dredged sand may look and smell unpleasant when it first comes out of the water, after a few days exposure to the air and sun, the sand will bleach to the normal colour and lose the odour,” Mr. Taranto said.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution during the dredging process and are also reminded to observe the 5 knot speed limit in the River channel and in the vicinity of the dredge. The dredge will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre during the dredging operations and all vessel operators are reminded to observe the marks on the dredge and pass safely on side showing two black diamonds.

Dredging at Patterson River was last carried out in November 2012 and will run for the next two days and continuing next week, depending upon weather.

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Press Release, February 11, 2013