Hay Point maintenance dredging
NQBP completed dredging at the Port of Hay Point and Half Tide Tug Harbour in 2024.
About dredging
Just like roads, shipping channels require maintenance to keep ports operating effectively.
Maintenance dredging involves relocating sediment that travels along the coast and accumulates over the years where our shipping operation occurs.
It is critical for maintaining port infrastructure and safeguards the efficient operations of one of Australia’s most important trading ports, the Port of Hay Point. The Port of Hay Point is one of the largest steel-making coal export facilities in the world and its operations are of tremendous benefit to Queenslanders, supporting thousands of jobs and enabling tens of billions of dollars in export value.
As well as having a critical global presence, the port is vital to the Queensland economy as an important part of the social and economic fabric of the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (MIW) region.
2024 Project Overview
In 2024, the works were carried out over 20 days from late August until mid-September 2024.
The project relocated approximately 166,000m3 of material from operational areas including Half Tide Tug Harbour for offshore placement at the approved Dredge Material Placement Area.
Maintenance dredging in existing navigational areas was undertaken by a specially designed vessel, the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) Brisbane. Additional support vessels for the works included bed levellers used to level high spots on the seafloor as well as survey vessels.
During the project, NQBP also completed maintenance work at the public boat ramp located at Half Tide Tug Harbour on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). An additional 20 jobs were supported from ship crew to surveyors.
Prior to 2024, the last maintenance dredging program for the Port of Hay Point was completed in 2019.
Permits and Management Plans
Permits to conduct maintenance dredging at the Port of Hay Point were granted to NQBP in 2019 following a thorough consultation and assessment process.
The permits carry conditions that protect the marine environment and allow for the long-term, sustainable management of maintenance dredging at the Port.
Our approach to maintenance dredging is set out in a range of management and monitoring plans and include:
Environmental monitoring
Environmental monitoring and management measures were in place throughout the program to minimise the impact on the marine environment. These measures are detailed in our Marine Environmental Monitoring Plan.
Information was gathered from water logger sites at Round Top Island, Victor Island, Slade Island and Freshwater Point and monitored via a live dashboard throughout the program.
Background studies and reports
Our Port of Hay Point Sustainable Sediment Management (SSM) Assessment of Navigational Infrastructure completed in 2019 was peer-reviewed by marine scientist Dr Paul Erftemeijer and is still considered best practice.
By taking a structured, value-based, decision-making approach, our SSM outlines a safe, efficient and sustainable solution for keeping the Port of Hay Point open for business.
The SSM aligns with the Maintenance Dredging Strategy for Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Ports released by the Queensland Government.
Options for sediment management were examined during the development of the SSM and the placement of maintenance dredge material at the existing at-sea placement area was consistently ranked as the highest-performing long-term approach.
Importantly, our assessment reports have found the risks to protected areas including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and sensitive habitats are predominantly low with some temporary, short-term impacts to benthic habitat possible.
You can access our public information package supplementary information report and all of our reports and research below.