Recent update from the Department of Transport shows that urgent dredging is underway in Kalbarri, Western Australia.
The authorities have expedited dredging at the mouth of the Murchison River as increased siltation has significantly reduced water depth in the area.
Maintenance dredging works at the entrance started mid-September 2021 and will proceed until mid-December 2021. Dredging will occur Monday to Saturday during daylight hours, with provision to undertake operations during hours of darkness if required, the government officials said.
Approximately 60,000 cubic metres of sand will be moved from the northern bank of the entrance channel and the sand spit from the southern shore during the three-month project.
The works will be carried out by a cutter suction dredge ‘Mudlark I’ (18m x 5m) equipped with a 40-metre floating pipeline marked by orange buoys and flashing orange lights.
DoT concluded that the dredge has no self-propulsion and uses spuds and anchors to move. The dredge and connected pipeline will remain in the area of operation after normal operating hours for the duration of the works.