GERALDTON Port is to hold community planning sessions in preparation for dredging at the fishing boat harbour.

The dredging will remove naturally accumulated sediment from the FBH entrance and surrounds, to maintain safe, navigable waters.

Mid West Ports CEO Damian Tully said prior to any decision to dredge and place sediment material, a comprehensive assessment is carried out to identify feasible options for its beneficial reuse.

“Beach nourishment between Beresford and Sunset has been identified as the best placement option for this program on this occasion, enabling reuse of valuable natural sediments,” Mr Tully said.

“This approach would involve establishing a temporary dewatering facility on Pages Beach with extracted material then transported to the northern beaches by road.”

Natural sediment build-up at Geraldton’s Port occurs as a result of wind and wave energy moving sediment predominantly in a northerly direction, causing material to accumulate in key navigational areas.

Mr Tully said maintenance dredging was common practice in ports around the world and played an essential role in ensuring safe navigation and access for vessels, as well as keeping marine assets, like the harbour, operating.

”As a Port, we have undertaken extensive studies to understand natural coastal processes and sediment accumulation across the Geraldton region.

“Our commitment to sustainably managing sediment is underpinned by an extensive understanding of how sediment moves into and across the region, and this enables us to make informed decisions about how we manage our port and care for our environment.

“Maintaining the balance between the management of vital underwater assets, while protecting our unique marine and coastal environment, is integral to our approach.”

Mr Tully said activities to manage marine sediments in ports is highly regulated and subject to regulatory approval processes.

Mid West Ports has a range of programs in place to monitor the environment in and around the Port. These include marine habitat mapping, marine sediment characterisation, shoreline surveys and water quality monitoring.

Maintenance dredging is informed by these programs as well as third party technical advice and environmental impact assessments.

Mid West Ports will be holding information sessions, sharing resources and providing the community with opportunities to learn more in coming months.