$7 million Carnarvon Fascine project complete after three years of dredging to provide better access for boats

A three-year dredging program, which resulted in more than 150,000 cubic metres of material moved from the entrance of the Carnarvon Fascine, is complete, improving access for boaters. A multifaceted $7 million Fascine Entryway Project, launched in 2020, was completed last week, with hopes it will be a long-term fix after the waterway became clogged by silt as a result of a cyclone more than seven years ago. The project began with short-term measures, such as relocating vessels to Carnarvon Boat Harbour with fee relief to assist boaters, while technical studies were undertaken to find out more about silting at the mouth of the waterway. A $2.1 million pen project was completed in 2022, which involved constructing 16 floating pens and increasing the number of pens and berths at the boat harbour by 50 per cent. The $3 million dredging campaign was announced last year following two years of studies confirming built options to improve vessel access were not viable long-term solutions. It is one of the largest dredging and sand stabilisation campaigns at the waterway, with more than 150,000 cubic metres of material relocated to stabilise the sand spit at the entrance to the waterway, and the installation of navigation aids to mark the channel. Assistant Transport Minister David Michael said the completed project followed close collaboration and a shared commitment between Department of Transport, the Shire of Carnarvon, Gascoyne Development Commission and Carnarvon Yacht Club. “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,” he said. Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster said the project improved navigation for Carnarvon’s boating community and improved local amenities and boosted the economy. “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,” he said.