Parks Victoria announced today that it will begin maintenance dredging in and around Mordialloc Creek entrance next week following natural sand build up which has created a hazard for recreational and commercial boat operators.
“ The works form part of Parks Victoria’s ongoing dredging program to ensure the continuation of safe boating access within Port Phillip and Western Port, ” said Senior Manager, Local Ports & Waterways, Victor Teoh.
“ The dredged material is predominantly sand and will be placed on shore, replicating the natural coastal processes and improvement to recreational amenity .” added Mr Teoh.
Mr Teoh also added that the freshly dredged material contains organic material, mostly seaweed which gives the sand a dark color and odor. “ While the dredged sand may look and smell mildly unpleasant when it first comes out of the water, after a few days exposure to the air and sun, the sand will bleach to the normal color and lose the odor. ”
Parks Victoria is advising mariners to exercise caution during the dredging process and observe the 5 knot speed limit in the channel and in the vicinity of the dredge.
Maintenance dredging at Mordialloc Creek was last carried out in December 2016 and will run for 3-6 days, depending upon weather.
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