Dredging of the Ettalong Channel is set to be finished six weeks ahead of schedule, with ferry services expected to resume on Monday, September 25.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said hydrographic studies would be completed this week by several parties ahead of the reopening of the channel to public transport services, as legally required.
“This work is anticipated to take a period of a week, during which time the ferry operator Fantasea will undertake crew training along the channel, as per safety requirements,” Tesch said.
“It is anticipated that ferry services will recommence on Monday, September 25, ahead of the coming long weekend, allowing locals and tourists to enjoy our beautiful waterways once again over the Labour Day long weekend.
“The resumption of these ferry services will be welcome news for people of the Peninsula and the Gosford electorate, many of whom rely on the channel to access work and school, as well as essential services.”
Tesch praised Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen for the effective, proactive dredging works, which have been completed significantly ahead of schedule.
“Minister Haylen and I understand the impact of the closure of this channel on the Central Coast community,” she said.
“Despite the breakdown of the Faucon dredge, a new dredge was promptly brought in and works completed with all haste.”
The Faucon began dredging in late August but experienced mechanical issues just a week into the operation, leading to a brief interruption in work.
Faucon’s sister ship, the Port Frederick, was soon on the spot to resume the operation.
The Faucon had been able to widen the channel during its brief stint, allowing the faster, more effective trailing suction dredge to take over.
“This dredge was unable to be used in the first instance as it requires a wider channel than was previously present until Faucon’s work commenced,” Tesch said.
“Despite the interruption to dredging caused by Faucon’s malfunction, the replacement dredge (was) able to complete in one day the work that Faucon was able to complete in two and a half days.”
Tesch said the dredging of the channel had been an ongoing issue for many years.
“I’ve called upon the NSW Government to properly dredge the channel since I was elected in 2017,” she said.
“With these dredging works now complete, I will continue to campaign for a long-term, ongoing plan for dredging works – a 10-year plan for maintenance dredging of the entire Ettalong Channel, working closely with Minister Haylen.
“I look forward to getting out on the ferry for the long weekend.”
Terry Collins