Department of Transport begin dredging planning, contract divers collect samples at Carnarvon Fascine entryway

Preparation to dredge the Carnarvon fascine will begin next week as Department of Transport contractors dive for core samples in the entryway following the announcement of project funding in March. The disastrous cyclone Seroja left the fascine clogged with silt in April 2021, causing limited access for mariners particularly during low tide, however reports of infill in the waterway have dated back to 2017. The Shire of Carnarvon ask boaters to remain cautious while travelling through the entrance of the fascine as divers assess and take samples from 10 sites between 7am-5pm starting on Friday, June 9. The works are expected to finish by Monday, June 12. DoT said sandbars in the fascine entrance and channel alignment were constantly changing, further restricting access to one of the town’s key assets that links the community to the coast. The State Government provided DoT with $7 million to find a solution to improve access as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan. DoT will create a new navigation channel to the ocean entrance of the fascine, as well as construct 16 new boat pens and provide pen fee relief to relocated vessels. Shire president Eddie Smith said the fascine played an important role in Carnarvon for locals and attracted tourism to the town. “We’ll have an entrance to our playground back, the fascine water is our jewel in the crown,” he said. “It guarantees the health of the water will be maintained as well, and that’s critical.” In September, the-now Member for North West Central Merome Beard said the community needed a long-term solution in place to improve the fascine. “The closure is hurting Carnarvon’s once-enviable tourism reputation and costing local jobs,” she said.