NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports has completed its annual maintenance dredging at Port of Weipa for another year. This year’s operation ran for 48 days.
NQBP said the duration of the annual project had increased due to additional material requiring removal after a series of severe weather events in Queensland.
Dredge vessel TSHD Brisbane removed around 808,000 cubic metres of natural sediment from Port of Weipa and placed it at the approved dredge material placement area (DMPA) in Albatross Bay.
The vessel undertook 430 trips to and from the DMPA without incident. It departed the port at the end of the program.
NQBP said it engaged the Weipa Technical Advisory and Consultative Committee throughout the dredging process, among other key stakeholders.
The committee comprises conservation groups, Traditional Owners, scientists, community port users, and Commonwealth and state governments.
“The maintenance dredging was conducted in line with all approvals and permits, including a range of strict environmental conditions,” NQBP said.
“Environmental monitoring and management measures will also be implemented throughout the campaign to minimise the risk of any potential impacts on the marine environment.”
NQBP has managed the annual maintenance dredging program at Port of Weipa for more than 30 years.
