Port Wakefield Tidal Pool Dredging and Footbridge Renewal to start

Final preparations are under way ahead of major maintenance and renewal works at the Port Wakefield Tidal Pool, with on-site works expected to start Wednesday, September 9.

Contractors have recently been on site alongside Council staff to determine site conditions and establish safety requirements before construction begins.

The project will deliver upgrades to the Port Wakefield Tidal Pool including the demolition of the existing timber footbridge, construction of a new footbridge and maintenance dredging of the tidal swimming pool.

Civil Tech Pty Ltd was awarded the contract by Council to deliver both the dredging works and footbridge renewal.

Temporary closures around the pool and footbridge will be in place during the construction and dredging phase.

Mayor Rodney Reid said this project had been a long time in the making for the Port Wakefield community.

“The dredging works at the tidal pool and the new footbridge has been supported by grant funding through the State Government’s Enabling Infrastructure program,” Mayor Rodney Reid said.

“It is significant to finally see this stage of our Port Wakefield Master Plan starting as we’ve already seen the success of reinvigorating Port Wakefield’s main precinct, Edward Street.

“The new footbridge is a large investment from Council and will enhance the Tidal Pool area, encouraging people to leave the Highway and head into the township, to not only view the pool but the renewed Edward Street as well.

“There are exciting times ahead in Port Wakefield. We’ve been working towards this project for a long time now and to finally see it come to fruition will be excellent for the town,” Mayor Reid said.

Works at the Port Wakefield Tidal pool are expected to be complete by the end of January.

Tidal Lagoon and Boat Ramp Dredging

Maintenance dredging will be undertaken within the tidal swimming pool to remove accumulated sand and silt deposits ranging from approximately 150mm to 400mm in depth.

An estimated 1,600 to 2,000 cubic metres of material will be removed from the pool area over three weeks.

A 35-tonne excavator will be used to excavate accumulated material from the pool.

Excavated spoil will initially be stockpiled along the western bank of the pool to allow drainage before being transported to Council's Everard Transfer Station for disposal.

Dredging works at the Port Wakefield Boat Ramp will also be undertaken once works on the Tidal Pool are completed.

Works on the Boat Ramp are anticipated to take two to three days, Council will provide notice of closures for the boat ramp when works are due to take place.

Footbridge Renewal

The existing timber footbridge will be replaced with a new structure to improve durability and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements of the old footbridge.

Council will remove the sleepers from the existing footbridge prior to construction commencing.

Timber from the existing bridge will be repurposed by Council where possible for community projects.

Civil Tech will then remove the remaining timber piles and substructure.

Council will provide further updates, including construction schedules and temporary closure information, prior to works commencing.