Update on Dredging Plans for One Mile Creek (May 2024)

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Published
3rd May 2024

Council is pleased to offer the community the following update on plans for dredging of One Mile Creek:

  • A consultant team (Watertech) has been appointed to re-establish a channel to 0.6m above datum (0.0m tide on the tide charts).
  • A pre-application meeting with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) regarding tidal works and associated permits has confirmed the current DA Approval for One Mile Creek is valid and a TIDAL Works Permit is not required.  Other approvals may still be required for the dredging and acid sulphate management plans, and disposal of sediments including dewatering on land.
  • The dredging methodology ‘dewatering and disposal’ has been discussed with SARA (and will be subject to formal SARA approval).  The proposed methodology includes:
    • Suction cutter dredging which cuts the material and sucks it up in one go.
    • The dredged material is pumped directly into geotextiles bags located on the northern portion of the carpark.  Lime treatment of the acid sulphate soil is injected into the mix, neutralising the soil as it is pumped into the geotextile bags.
    • The dewatering and drying out of the sediments in the geotextile bags will take approximately two months and will require closure of a portion of the boat ramp.  Once complete the bags will be opened, the material tested (certified as neutral material) and transported to a nominated disposal site.
    • A formal application for the dredging permit will be lodged with SARA mid-May. 
  • A request for tender for the dredging works will be released Monday 13 May and will remain open until mid-June.
  • The estimated project timing from start to finish (pending approvals and funding variation) is currently July to October 2024.
  • A funding variation request to the Australian Government funding agency to enable the project to proceed under the original $1.5 million grant agreement has been submitted.  Council has not yet received a response to this request.

Council has committed to keeping the community informed of developments throughout this project.  Please refer to the project’s Your Say page to see a full history of news and current status at https://yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/dredging.

All community members are encouraged to receive updates directly to their inbox by registering for Council’s e-newsletter by visiting https://yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/register.

The Port Hinchinbrook (One Mile Creek) dredging project is funded with $1.5 million from the Australian Government.