New Daintree ferry will need a lot more dredging
Shire transport
The dredging of the Daintree River is set to increase substantially when the new ferry starts operating, with the “spoil” expected to be stored near the southern landing, then trucked to nearby beaches as part of the “sand replenishment” program.
The dredging will take place regularly from the deck of the new ferry - which will be close to 50m long and more than 15m wide - by a specialty excavator, according to a planning report submitted this month to Douglas Shire Council’s assessment committee.
The dredging of the river to maintain the ferry crossing requires State Government environmental approval because thousands of cubic metres of spoils will be dredged per year - if more than 1000 tonnes of material is removed per year the activity is required by law to be ticked off by environmental authorities.
“It is assumed that the additional volume dredged per annum would be up to 10,000 cubic metres,” the report states.
The area being dredged is likely to be about 25m wide and will span the full width of the river.
“The spoil would be stored in a bunded area and tested prior to reuse for the purpose of beach replenishment,” the report reads.
The “bunded area” - a closed off site designed to contain leaks to limit contamination - it set to be built where mangroves and other undergrowth currently sits.
An environmental clearance for the new spoils storage area is not required as the size of the site is less than 5ha.
The dredging will not affect water quality or otherwise contaminate the river, the report states.
Support public interest journalism
Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.
