Work starts on major enhancement to Gold Coast waterways gateway

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Preliminary works have started on a multi-million-dollar project to dredge an area near the Gold Coast Seaway entrance and in the adjacent navigation channels to improve access to the waterways network.

A contract to undertake sediment sampling for the project has been awarded to Gold Coast firm, Pacific Geotech Pty Ltd.

The Seaway is the gateway to the Gold Coast’s inland coastal waterways network and is a vital connection point for boaties.

The $6.3 million Seaway and North and South Channels dredging project will remove sand which has built up near the entrance to the Seaway and in the adjacent North and South Channels.

The result will be improved and safer access for boaties, especially small and medium vessels travelling through the Seaway.

The project will also ensure ongoing access for vessels coming in for maintenance and servicing, including superyachts. These visitors alone are worth tens of millions of dollars to the Gold Coast every year and support thousands of jobs.

The sediment sampling is being done to identify the type of material which will be removed during the dredging process so that GCWA can determine where it can be deposited as part of its Dredge Management Plan and Environmental Management framework.

The sampling process is expected to be completed in the next few weeks with dredging due to start in June this year.

It’s the first time in a decade that GCWA has had to dredge the Seaway.

GCWA CEO Hal Morris said the Sand Bypass System at the Spit has done a great job of keeping the Seaway open by transporting sand north to South Stradbroke Island.

‘Unfortunately, storm activity has brought some of that sand back in near the Seaway entrance over time, so we need to dredge the area.

‘We’ll dredge the North and South Channels at the same time to ensure boaties have clear access into the waterways network.’

Mr Morris said the dredging campaign should be finished by January 2022.

GCWA is planning to deposit the dredged sediment offshore from Narrowneck, Surfers Paradise and South Stradbroke Island beaches and Moondarewa Spit at The Spit to support coastal protection from storm surges.

Innovation gives GCWA eyes underwater

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A remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) has been specially developed to enhance our knowledge of the Gold Coast’s underwater environments and improve waterways management.

The new Rangerbot named Nyah will do a range of jobs including marine habitat surveys, seabed sediment sampling, maintenance checks on navigation aids and to help search for, and retrieve, objects from the water.

Nyah is the Yugambeh word for ‘look see.’ The name was given to our newest team member by a Gold Coast Year 3 student who won a recent competition to name the robot.

Nyah was officially launched today by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, who said the Rangerbot would add another dimension to the management and research skills of the GCWA team.

Nyah gives us the ability to do a deeper dive under the water and improve our understanding of what’s going on there, whether it’s surveying seagrass meadows or checking for potential marine hazards.

Nyah will provide access to real-time information needed to effectively manage an asset which has a natural capital value of $26 billion and supports thousands of jobs in the marine, tourism and recreation industries.

As a bonus, this is technology which has been developed locally by the Queensland University of Technology and adapted for use in Gold Coast waters.

Rangerbot Nyah comes equipped with multiple cameras enabling it to look above, behind, below and in front of itself, acoustic sensors to help with navigation and a special gripping arm for retrieving objects and scientific samples.

Nyah will enhance our planning and scientific research capabilities by enabling us to collect data to help us better understand the underwater environment and the impact factors such as climate change are having on marine environments, marine infrastructure and habitats.

It’ll also improve the efficiency and safety of our operations in, and under, the water.

In the past, we’ve had to engage specialist contractors to check damaged buoy moorings or navigation aids or to retrieve submerged objectives.

With Nyah on board, our Waterways team can quickly launch it and see what’s going on underwater in real time. They can use that information to help identify the problem more quickly and safely, allowing us to implement a solution faster.

Rangerbot Nyah may also be called upon by other agencies such as the Gold Coast water police and Maritime Safety Queensland to help with retrieval and rescue missions.

Rangerbot Nyah technical specifications:

  • 330-degree field of view to inspect below, above, behind or in front of the underwater ROV
  • forward speed of 5 knots, with depth ratings of 50m
  • ideal for underwater inspections in tough environments
  • flexible use as can provide GPS estimate of position for survey data and
  • ability to add monitoring equipment.

Who’s Who in the Blue

Who’s Who in the Blue explains who is responsible for managing, protecting and
regulating Queensland’s waterways, particularly on the Gold Coast.

It clarifies agency roles across safety, environmental protection, pollution response,
compliance and infrastructure, helping avoid confusion and duplication.

Overall, it’s a quick reference guide that supports coordination, accountability and
effective waterway stewardship.

Download Who’s Who in the Blue

Acknowledgement of Country

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians, the Yugambeh peoples of South East Queensland, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, Wangerriburra, Bullongin and other clans, and their Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their unique and ongoing spiritual and cultural connection with the land and waters of the Gold Coast area.

Any damaged or missing aids to navigation such as beacons, buoys, markers or signs, should be reported as soon as possible on 07 5539 7350.
For community engagement, communications or media enquiries please contact mail@gcwa.qld.gov.au

Access, Management & Destinations

  • Access & Management

    Information on Anchoring & Mooring, Boating, Dredging, Operations Team & Tidal Works

    Learn More

  • Our Destinations

    GCWA managed multi-use destinations, building infrastructure for commercial and recreation use of Gold Coast waterways.

    Learn More