NSW Nationals Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the dredging of one of the most dynamic channels in Australia had happened annually since 2001.
“The primary focus of this dredging work is to maintain a clear and safe channel for the Tweed River entrance, with an average of 500,000 cubic metres of sand dredged each year,” Mr Provest said.
“Dredging of the Tweed River entrance supports the long-term viability of the local commercial fishing fleet, as well as assisting with safe passage for recreational boaters.
“The benefits of dredging the Tweed River entrance are two-fold – a deeper draft is created for access by boats of many sizes, and the sands of Gold Coast beaches are maintained.
“As the surfing world knows, the dredging of the Tweed also created and helps maintain one of the world’s best waves, known as ‘The Superbank’ – a wave that can break all the way from Snapper Rocks to Kirra on a good day of surf.”
Mr Provest said sand accumulated at the Tweed River entrance was removed using a boat known as a trailing suction hopper dredge vessel with the dredged sand then delivered offshore to southern Gold Coast beaches.
All of the dredging work is subject to environmental controls and monitoring.
Boaters in the area are advised to exercise caution when operating near the dredge vessel around the Tweed River entrance and northeast to Point Danger, 24 hours a day, seven days a week until Friday, October 2.
The Tweed Sand Bypassing Project has been operating the pumping jetty and dredging the Tweed River entrance since 2001.
