- Multifaceted
$7 million Fascine Entryway Project now complete
- Ocean access improved with dredging and spit stabilisation
- $2.1 million pen project and ramp upgrades delivered at
Carnarvon Boat Harbour
- Investment pays ongoing dividends for Carnarvon and WA
The
Cook Government has delivered on its promise to improve ocean access at
Carnarvon's Fascine after undertaking one of Western Australia's most demanding
technical investigations of coastal processes, lasting infrastructure
improvements and completing one of the largest dredging and sand stabilisation
campaigns the waterway has seen.
The
recent completion of work to stabilise the sand spit at the entrance to the
Fascine marked the completion of the multifaceted three-year $7 million Fascine
Entryway Project funded by the State Government.
Managed by the
Department of Transport (DoT), the project initially included a range of
short-term measures to assist commercial and recreational skippers while
technical studies were undertaken to find out more about the silting at the
mouth of the waterway, including the relocation of tide restricted access
vessels to Carnarvon Boat Harbour with fee relief.
A $2.1 million pen project with 16 modern,
floating pens accommodating vessels up to 15 metres long was completed in 2022,
increasing by 50 per cent the number of pens and berths available at Carnarvon
Boat Harbour.
Last
year, a planned $3 million dredging campaign commenced after a series of
technical studies, undertaken over two years, which confirmed that built
options to improve vessel access were not viable long-term solutions.
Dredging
saw more than 150,000 cubic metres of material relocated to stabilise the sand
spit at the entrance to the waterway. There's also been work to revegetate the
spit and navigation aids have been installed to mark the channel for mariners.
Find out more about the Carnarvon
Fascine Entryway and Boat Harbour Pen Project
Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David
Michael:
"The completion of work to improve access to the Fascine follows close
collaboration between DoT, the Shire of Carnarvon, Gascoyne Development
Commission and Carnarvon Yacht Club.
"The shared commitment to the project from all parties has delivered a
great result for boat owners, the Carnarvon community and the Gascoyne region.
"The investment has not only delivered improved ocean access and safer
navigation, but also lasting improvements to infrastructure and ongoing
benefits from a better understanding of the local coastal processes."
Comments attributed to Regional Development
Minister Don Punch:
"Whenever I visit Carnarvon people always tell me how important
access to and from the Fascine is and our Government has been committed to
finding a long-term solution to this issue.
"Congratulations to the Shire of Carnarvon, the Department of
Transport, the Gascoyne Development Commission and the Carnarvon Yacht Club,
who have shown their dedication to this project over the years.
"This project is a significant investment in the region's local
economy and created more than 30 new jobs for the Carnarvon community during
the works."
Comments attributed to Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:
"The completion of this project represents a great win for the Carnarvon
community and demonstrates the Cook Government's commitment to the Gascoyne
region.
"As well as providing for safer navigation for our boating community,
the works have improved the amenity of the town for tourists and local
residents to enjoy.
"Local job opportunities were also boosted with approximately 32
positions supported during the works as well as significant local investment in
the region's economy."
