Faucon has landed;

Ettalong dredging begins

Dredging kicked off in the Ettalong Channel at 5am, Friday morning 25 August 2023, with McQuade Marine putting the vessel Faucon to work.

30 August 2023

FAUCON will be removing 30,000 cubic metres of sand to create a 30-metre wide channel, both inside and on the ocean side of Half-Tide Rocks that can accommodate vessels with a 2.5 metre draft.

Dredged sand will be placed in the water on Ettalong Shoals, just off Ocean Beach, in line with previous dredging campaigns. Due to the urgent nature of our local dredging needs and the size of the current dredge required for the deep-water channel components of this phase of dredging, the deposition of sand is aligned with the capacity of the current sea-going dredge. Future campaigns will explore the possibility of sand renourishment of Ettalong Beach.

As part of this project, measures will be put in place to protect environmentally-sensitive areas. This will include establishing buffer areas to prevent the disturbance of sea grasses.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said “Work has begun and we’re dredging the Ettalong Channel so it can continue to serve as a vital transport link for years to come.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch was ecstatic over the commencement of the work and gave a huge "HUZZAH!"

“I have campaigned long and hard since being elected as Member for Gosford in 2017 for an adequate dredging program in the Ettalong Channel, including a long-term plan. Instead, the previous Government allowed this backlog to build up over 12 years, with no proactive plans in place," Ms Tesch said.

“I thank the Minister for her proactive approach to dredging work of the Channel, including the commitment to developing a 10-year plan, which will ensure that all necessary assessments and approvals are in place for future dredging campaigns to occur in a fast manner.”