The NSW Government is delivering for the boating community in Swansea with a plan to carry out two dredging campaigns of the Swansea Channel a step closer.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has published a tender to engage a contractor for the dredging of the Swansea Channel (see link below). The tender closes on 1 June 2023.

TfNSW Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office (MIDO) is planning to carry out the first dredging campaign in July 2023, and the second in Autumn 2024.

MIDO will hold a pre-tender meeting with prospective contractors on 19 May to discuss project details, including sand volumes and deposition locations.

This procurement process is running concurrently with the environmental approval process to expedite the work. Environmental approvals will be complete by the end of May.

Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said:

“The aim of these dredging campaigns is to ensure the improvement and maintenance of safe navigation for commercial and recreational vessels travelling through the Swansea Channel.

“The dredging will reinstate a minimum depth in the Main Channel - to allow vessels of 2.5 metre draft - and a channel width of 30 metres.

“Each of these dredging campaigns will remove 15,000 cubic metres of sand.

“Transport for NSW Maritime is also developing a 10-year strategy for the ongoing dredging of the Swansea Channel.”

“This has been an ongoing issue for over two years, and this announcement makes clear the Minns Labor Government is delivering on our commitment to dredge Swansea Channel”.