TASPORTS says the Bollard Replacement Project at King Island’s Grassy Port is progressing, with works nearing completion.
The project aims to enhance the infrastructure at the Port of Grassy, supporting safe operations and to ensure continued shipping services to King Island.
TasPorts says the first phase of the project is on track for completion this month, with practical completion of quayline bollard upgrades anticipated by late November.
Additional work on inland bollards is scheduled to finish by late December, with the entire project due to conclude in January next year.
Led by TasPorts, the upgrade includes the installation of robust quayline and inland bollards, designed to support heavier and more resilient mooring configurations suited to Grassy Harbour’s challenging sea state conditions.
Two quayline bollards have reportedly already been installed and put into service, allowing the remaining upgrades to continue without impacting regular shipping, TasPorts said.
“Alongside completion of the remaining quayline bollards, other key next steps involve construction of the footings for the inland bollards, which consist of a total of 38 tonnes of reinforcing steel, and 376 meters cubed of concrete,” TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said.
“The design process for the new bollard arrangement has been conducted thoroughly to ensure a safe outcome, including computer simulations to determine requirements and optimal positioning, and to generate interim mooring configurations to assist in decision making regarding the order and location of the bollard replacement so as not to disrupt shipping operations during the project.
The completion of the first two quayline bollards also allowed the demobilisation of the tug Fern Bay from Grassy Harbour on 22 October, marking a key milestone in the project’s progress.
With the tug’s support no longer needed, TasPorts says it is continuing to optimise its resources to deliver on this critical infrastructure upgrade.
Mr Donald expressed appreciation for the project team’s dedication to the project while maintaining the continuity of services essential to the King Island community.
TasPorts affirmed it remains committed to keeping the community and stakeholders informed as the Grassy Port Bollard Replacement Project reaches its final stages.
