Warrnambool dredging starts next month

Dredging at the Port of Warrnambool is scheduled to begin in early November, according to the City Council.

Warrnambool City Council

Crews will begin setting up the equipment in the coming days, with the works to be completed before the peak summer period.

Warrnambool Mayor Cr Vicki Jellie said that dredging would complement the new boat launching facilities in Lady Bay, which are approaching completion.

“The dredging is part of a 10-year program and has been designed to maintain safe, navigable access to the boat ramp, moorings and wharf, to alleviate unsafe conditions at the boat ramp and to alleviate erosion issues in the Lady Bay,” she said.

“Better Boating Victoria has provided $1 million to undertake the dredging work,” Warrnambool Mayor continued. “The first dredge will be the largest of the 10-year dredging plan with regularly planned dredging every one to two years.”

She also added that an initial 20,000m3 of sand will be dredged from the breakwater and be piped into an area 80m from the shore between McGennans Beach and The Flume.

The dredged deposit will be dispersed by natural sediment transport processes along the beach profile. The breakwater carpark will be used for loading and unloading of equipment.