Southern Breakwater reopens to vehicles before Christmas

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Fertin said he is pleased to report repairs to the Southern Breakwater are complete.

“We are happy to be reopening the breakwater to vehicles in time for the Christmas holidays,” Mr Fertin said.

“NQBP has completed the repairs on budget and ahead of schedule.”

The Southern Breakwater sustained extensive damage during Cyclone Debbie in March 2017.

Investigations after the cyclone, including 3D scanning, revealed significant damage to all three of the Port’s breakwaters.

“Unfortunately, while it may only take a day for a cyclone to cause damage, it can take more than a year to rebuild,” Mr Fertin said.

“Most of the damage to the Southern Breakwater was where the rocks slope down towards the sea.”

Mr Fertin said NQBP had worked hard to maintain pedestrian and cyclist access during the repairs.

“NQBP also worked with event organisers to ensure all regular community events like the Mackay Marina Run went ahead as usual,” he said.

“We know how much the breakwater means to the people of Mackay and that’s why we made community access during the repairs a priority.

“I would like to thank the Mackay community for their patience and understanding during the past year.

“I hope the community continues to use the breakwater safely and responsibly over the holiday season.”

Mr Fertin said it is also important for the community to understand that while repairs are now complete, the breakwater is not “cyclone-proof”.

“The breakwater’s primary function is to provide a level of protection to the Port and marina,” Mr Fertin said.

“Unfortunately, due to the fierce and unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones, with sometimes forces that are above the original design of our infrastructure, we will continue to plan for maintenance and repairs to all our breakwaters for many years to come.”

Repairs to all three of the Port of Mackay’s breakwaters are now complete, costing approximately $14M.

More than 100,000 tonnes of locally supplied rock was placed onto all three breakwaters.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation contact:
Emilie Power | Regional Stakeholder Engagement Advisor 
07 4969 0773 | communications@nqbp.com.au