Sand Suction Dredge, Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge, Environmental Monitoring, Sand Dredging, Tide Information, Dredging Pump Sand, Monitoring, Webcams, Gippsland

Dredge Replacement

Trailer Suction Hoper Dredge

Sand Bypass System

Sand Transfer Station Refit

Monitoring

April Hamer Replacement

What we do

Stage 1 of the Lakes Entrance Sand Management Program involves six projects between 2006 and 2011.

DREDGE REPLACEMENT

	The ageing cutter suction dredge Sandpiper was decommissioned in 2005. The Melbourne was chartered to move sand from Reeves and Hopetoun navigation channels. Birdon Group Pty Ltd was awarded the contract to supply a higher-productivity dredge which was supplied in July 2007. The new dredge Kalimna was commissioned in August 2007

Trailing SUCTION HOPPER DREDGE

	A trial will test the suitability and efficiency of a hopper dredge for the April Hamer replacement. Hopper dredges are used in many ports around the world, but they have not been tested at Lakes Entrance. Pending statutory and environmental approvals, the trial will commence after March 2008.

SAND BYPASS SYSTEM

	A sand bypass system will be tested. Sand bypassing is achieved by installing sand pumps under the water that collect the sand before it enters the entrance. The sand is then pumped back to the ocean some distance away from the entrance. The design and construction of the system is scheduled for completion by late 2009.

SAND TRANSFER STATION REFIT

	The five-year-old sand transfer station will undergo an upgrade and have its eroded pipes replaced and extended. This will be coordinated to occur as required by the other projects to ensure the most effective trials are conducted.

MONITORING

	The program will be monitored to better understand ocean conditions and weather patterns and how they affect the build-up of sand at Lakes Entrance. We will also use depth surveying and aerial photography.

APRIL HAMER REPLACEMENT

	The 35-year-old April Hamer will be replaced. A preliminary specification for the new dredge will be developed after the results of the trials of the hopper dredge and sand bypass system are determined. This is expected to occur from 2009 to 2011.