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August 20, 2012
Issue 2
Dredging plans for The Entrance Channel
The Entrance Channel
y o n g Council is finalising plans to bring the dredge back to The Entrance Channel for the first time since May, 2010.
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Council is expecting to move the dredge into the channel by the end of August, where it will remain until the start of October. The dredge is currently sitting in Wallarah Creek at San Remo, where it was
put back into the water after being removed and transported to Council’s Charmhaven Depot to undergo out of water maintenance. “The dredging works will involve the removal of anywhere between 30,000 to 80,000 cubic metres of sand from the channel,” said Council’s natural areas operations manager Mr Luke Sulkowski. “Although it is open at the moment, dredging will mean we can realign the channel and assist in
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preventing closure of the channel. “On this occasion, we will be concentrating on dredging a large section at the southern side of the channel,” said Mr Sulkowski. The sand spoil collected as a result of the dredging works would be used to renourish the northern side of the channel near Karagi Park and Dunleith Caravan Park at The Entrance North. “There has been erosion occurring over the last 12
months at this location,” said Mr Sulkowski “Our first priority is normally to place the sand on The Entrance North Beach, but there is a large beach there at the moment; although we may still revert to placing sand there should we sufficiently nourish the northern side of the channel. “Dredging the channel and removing sand not only assists in the tidal interchange between the ocean and the lake, it also
helps to nourish other areas and allow for the establishment of dunes and offshore sand banks to help reduce the potential effects of erosion,” said Mr Sulkowski. Work is expected to occur six days a week. “It’s good to see that dredging will again start to realign the channel and help provide closure before the summer season,” said member for Dobell Mr Craig Thomson. “Council has been doing
a great job managing the channel over many years and I believe the latest works will again improve the amenity of this popular tourism venue,” Mr Thomson said. Council is currently finalising operational matters before setting an official start date for the dredge to return to the channel. Media releases, 15 Aug 2012 Wyong Council Media David Gardiner, Office of Craig Thomson MP
The Central Coast