Dredging to start on Sydney's third terminal

Dredging is about to commence at Port Botany, in New South Wales, as part of the first stage of the A$1 billion (US$870 million) port expansion.

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the dredging process would take a year. “Dredging the bay will ensure we have the capacity to accommodate the expected doubling of trade through the port over the next ten to 15 years,” Mr Tripodi said. “A silt curtain is being installed around the area where dredging is being done to confine sediment and to protect the wider Botany Bay environment.” Mr Tripodi said a cutter suction dredge from Belgium, the ‘Nu Bounty’, would be used during the initial stages of dredging. The dredge measures 50 metres in length, ten metres in width and has the capability to dredge to a depth of 22 metres below water. The ‘Nu Bounty’ will reclaim an area between the existing Brotherson dock and the end of the third runway adjacent to the Patricks terminal. A concrete precast facility will be built in this area later in the year. From early 2009, a larger dredging vessel will complete the dredging activities. “The expansion of Port Botany is one of the largest infrastructure projects being undertaken in Australia and an important component of the [New South Wales’] Government’s plans for the economic growth of [the state],” Mr Tripodi said.
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