NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports has wrapped up this year’s maintenance dredging program at the Port of Weipa.
The trailing suction hopper dredger Brisbane removed around 700,000 cubic metres of natural sediment from the port throughout the 45-day program.
Sediment was placed at the approved dredge material placement area (DMPA) in Albatross Bay. TSHD Brisbane and its supporting vessels have now left the port.
NQBP has managed the annual maintenance dredging program at Weipa for more than 30 years. Dredging was also completed at nearby Amrun this year on behalf of Rio Tinto.
The dredging program aims to maintain the port’s infrastructure and export capacity. Weipa’s biggest export product is bauxite.
NQBP holds a 10-year sea dumping permit at the port, issued in 2021, which allows for the placement of up to 10,810,000 cubic metres of dredge material at the DMPA until 30 January 2031.
Throughout the 2024 program, NQBP engaged with the Weipa Technical Advisory and Consultative Committee. The committee’s members include conservation groups, Traditional Owners, scientists, community, port users, and Commonwealth and state governments.
The corporation said it implemented environmental monitoring and management measures throughout the campaign to minimise the risk of any potential impacts on the marine environment.
“NQBP would like to thank all staff and contractors for their work in completing the dredging program in Weipa,” it said.
It also thanked the Weipa fishing and boating community for their patience during the project.
