DREDGING OF THE FREMANTLE INNER HARBOUR

The Fremantle Inner Harbour maintenance dredging project began yesterday. The dredging is planned to only run for ten days, but more than 18 months of planning has gone into this project by Fremantle Ports to ensure it’s done well, and in an appropriate manner.

Dredging of the Inner Harbour by the TRUD R vessel will remove 60,000 cubic meters of sediment that has come down the river since the harbour was deepened in 2010. That amount is relatively small, just 2 per cent of what was removed when the harbour was deepened in 2010. 

This will allow the port to maintain harbour depth so large ships can continue to enter and leave safely and efficiently. The dredged sediment will be deposited offshore in Gage Roads anchorage, on the advice of marine consultants, and in line with an Australian Government approval.

Fremantle Ports engaged environmental consultants to provide advice on the maintenance dredging. The project’s been assessed to have a low environmental risk and disposal operations planned to have as little impact as possible on the seabed, water quality, marine fauna and seagrass meadows. Some limited plumes are anticipated both upstream and downstream, but are expected to be no worse than river water with sediment in suspension, as seen during mid-winter. 

The dredging project marks the first opportunity for Fremantle Ports to use three newly-trained Indigenous Marine Rangers. One of the rangers will conduct marine monitoring on a science vessel before, during and after the dredging operations and the other two rangers underwent training as marine species observers and will be positioned on the dredge. Marine species observation is a highly regarded skill in the marine environmental industry and will provide valuable ongoing work opportunities for the rangers.

Roel Loopers

DREDGING OF THE INNER HARBOUR STARTS

The dredging of the inner harbour of Fremantle Ports starts today and will continue for ten days.

The TRUD R vessel received a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony this morning. It will also have three Aboriginal rangers on board, or on a support vessel, to monitor the wildlife.

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE PORT VISIONING OPEN DAY

Drop in on Sunday 16 July at the Fremantle Town Hall, from 10–3pm to share your thoughts and ideas to help shape a transformative vision for the Fremantle Inner Harbour precinct in the coming decades.

Learn more and tell Fremantle Council what you think, through a range of fun activities suitable for all ages.

This is a free community event. Everyone is welcome!

The photos are of the old luffing cranes, next to the WA Maritime Museum on Victoria Quay, that I took this morning.

Roel Loopers

CELEBRATION OF THE OPENING OF FREMANTLE HARBOUR

Fremantle Ports are holding a special Port Walk on Tuesday next week the 4th of May to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of Fremantle’s Inner Harbour.

This Port Walk is a tribute to CY O’Connor – the Engineer-in-Chief of Western Australia, who declared the construction of the Inner Harbour as one of his personal triumphs. 

The walk along Victoria Quay will be hosted by Mike Lefroy, great grandson of CY O’Connor and passionate local historian sharing stories of CY O’Connor – his life, his engineering feats, and the challenges and triumphs of the Inner Harbour. 4 May 2021, 9am.

All are welcome, the walk is free and registration is a must. Register for tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/harbour-day-cy-oconnor-tribute-tour-tickets-151905349991?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=esfb&utm-source=fb&utm-term=listing&fbclid=IwAR39CPRKmltZIp0YpbDhhmMcqvLg83DOjX7RY2iJaVUub2fgW85OBKF0iKc

IS FREO’S SOUTH BEACH IN THE INNER HARBOUR?

The VISIT FREMANTLE Facebook marketing page published this lovely photo of South Beach this morning, accompanied by following text:

Visit Fremantle

With the weather warming up, South Beach is the perfect destination to enjoy a swim, a picnic or a barbecue. Located in Fremantle’s inner harbour, South Beach is just a two minute walk from cafes, restaurants and shops on South Terrace. Enjoy breakfast at Third Wheel or grab a coffee and delicious bread to go from Wild Bakery South Freo to start your morning off right.

I have only been living in Fremantle for just under 30 years, but was never aware that South Beach is in the Inner Harbour. Maybe Visit Fremantle had a few too many AFL Grand Final drinks last night? ; >))

Roel Loopers

FREO PORTS IMPROVES ROUS HEAD

Fremantle Ports has awarded a $ 13 million contract to Brierty Ltd to develop roads and services at the reclaimed land at Rous Head near the North Mole. New roads, a truck stop and cycle path along the seawall are all part of the construction which will start this month and will be completed by the end of June.

There were 27 hectares of land reclaimed when the inner harbour was deepened and the area will be used for port related purposes.

Fremantle Ports believes the development will create safer and more efficient traffic flow at Rous Head and will help improve freight-handling and reduce truck congestion.

The Caltex truck stop will have a dine-in and takeaway and heavy vehicle refueling.

Roel Loopers