PORT DREDGING
- Cairns, Queensland
Maintenance dredging sediment characterisations.
Maintenance dredging at the Port has been required annually for over 100 years to maintain declared depths for safe vessel navigation to port facilities. With an annual dredging allowance of 730,000m3 a significant marine sediment sampling program is required to provide information regarding port operations management and to enable determination of the suitability of material for dredging and placement at sea. As both sampling and dredging is regulated by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), strict and comprehensive protocols are necessary to ensure high international environmental protection standards are achieved.
Solution: For almost a decade we have prepared and implemented multiple Sampling Analysis Plans (SAP) and technical Sediment Characterisation Reports (SCR) consistent with GBRMPA permits and national guidelines; staged complex field logistics and marine operations; completed Phase 1, 2 and 3 characterisations; implemented various sampling techniques across various port areas and within the GBRMP; identified introduced marine pests; controlled analytical laboratories and implemented quality assurance and quality control; determined sediment suitability for unconfined ocean placement; liaised with GBRMPA to achieve approvals for dredging and sediment placement; and supported the development of the current GBRMPA permit comprising a detailed statistical analysis of physical and chemical sediment data, historical data trend analysis, and enhanced monitoring efficiencies.
Outcome: Our experience with delivering marine sampling programs has ensured efficient logistics and staging of works; developed close relationships with the client, regulator and analytical laboratories to achieve quality and trust in our services; provided a consistent approved approach reassuring outcomes; grown an invaluable knowledge base to deliver technical reports consistently approved by the regulator.