Coomera Dredged Sediment Management Facility one step closer

For many years, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA), City of Gold Coast Council (CoGC), developers and managers of estates situated along Coomera River and nearby waterways and canals  have been searching for a cost effective and environmentally sound solution for handling the sediment that must be dredged to enable safe navigational access for boating – particularly the Gold Coast Marine Industry Precinct which is a critical element of the Gold Coast boating industry and the doorway to national and international markets.

Removing accumulated sediment is also essential to assisting in flood mitigation for the Coomera River catchment.

Sediment removed from Gold Coast waterways is often used to replace sand eroded from our beaches and waterway foreshores. However, sediment from some waterways, including the Coomera River, is not sand and therefore is unsuitable for replenishment of riverbanks or beaches. This unsuitable material requires a land based solution to be appropriately managed.

The Coomera Dredged Sediment Management Facility is a long-term solution to minimise potential environmental impacts by properly managing this type of dredged sediment. Located at 91 Shipper Drive, the Facility consists of a settling pond for separating the sediment from the water, clean water discharge pond and drying area. Potential uses for the material include commercial use as non-structural fill.

The Facility is one of the projects that the GCWA is investing $35.3 million in over four years to Sustain, Enhance and Promote local waterways.

Construction Commencing

The Coomera Dredged Sediment Management Facility has been approved through Community Infrastructure Designation described under the Sustainable Planning Act (Qld), Schedule 2, Part 2 and preliminary construction activities have commenced.

Completion is scheduled for April 2018. However, critical elements will be completed to enable commencement of the first dredging campaign in March 2018.

For more information about the project, read the Factsheet here: Construction of the Coomera Dredged Sediment Management Facility  or contact the project team at mail@ydsgroup2.com.au or telephone (07) 5539 7350.