Dundee Beach boat ramp

Latest update

Read the stakeholder update - September 2024 PDF (437.9 KB).

The Department of Logistics and Infrastructure is undertaking improvement works at the Dundee Beach boat ramp facility.

These works will:

  • allow for land-based fishing via a walkway jetty and platform along the top of the groyne
  • provide improved access to the groyne
  • accommodate short-term mooring of vessels to facilitate loading and unloading without impacting ramp use.
  • help reduce the rate of sand build-up on the ramp, reducing the frequency of maintenance, to maximise future ramp access for users.

In 2018, the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI) appointed Cardno to undertake a study which looked at:

  • where the sediment is coming from
  • how to reduce build up on the Dundee Beach boat ramp
  • possible solutions.

The study considered:

  • the effect of excavating in various locations to reduce sediment build up on the ramp
  • possible upgrades to the existing groyne to better counteract the movement of sand and sediment at the ramp
  • possible additional infrastructure, such as a new groyne to the south of the boat ramp.

The study found that there is no ‘silver bullet’ to solve the sand and silt build up issue at the ramp.

There are a number of factors that affect sediment build up on the boat ramp and in the boating channel.

Some of these can be addressed such as sediment movement and deposition. Others, such as suspended sedimentation (the sediment mixed in with the water) cannot be dealt with at any feasible cost, which the study found is the reason for most of the sediment build up on the ramp.

Working group

In 2020, the Northern Territory Government (NTG) formed a working group to:

  • consider findings of a sediment-movement study at Dundee Beach boat ramp and
  • develop short, medium and long term options for Government’s consideration.

The working group includes representatives from:

  • the NTG (including NT Fisheries and DIPL)
  • AFANT and
  • NT Guided Fishers Association.

Upgrades

The NTG will be undertaking works to reduce the frequency of maintenance need to remove sand and silt build-up at the boat ramp by:

  • reconstructing the groyne to improve the ability to prevent the build-up of sand on the ramp and help reduce the frequency of maintenance
  • providing an accessible footpath along the top of the new groyne including a platform to facilitate land-based fishing
  • constructing a walkway jetty to allow for safer loading and unloading of recreational vessels.

A tender for the detailed design and construction was released in late June 2022, with the construction works expected to start in early 2023.

Investigations of sand and silt build-up at the boat ramp have been undertaken, including modelling and reviewing historical weather and ocean data to assess possible mitigations.

Conclusions found sand/silt build up cannot be prevented, however, these works will reduce the frequency of the need to remove sand and silt build-up. To protect ramp users from adverse weather conditions, the groyne is a necessity.

Contact

John Kassaras
Project Manager
Department of Logistics and Infrastructure

john.kassaras@nt.gov.au

Phone: 08 89994788

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