Dawesville Channel and Mandurah Ocean Entrance Sand Bypassing and Monitoring

A unique sand bypass dredging system is being used by the Department of Transport to control down drift beach erosion and maintain navigable conditions at the Dawesville Channel and Mandurah Ocean Entrance. An essential element of the system is the mobile land based 'Slurrytrak' screening and pumping plant, which was developed and is being operated under contract to Transport by CGC Dredging Pty Ltd. This paper describes the attributes of this sand bypassing system and the particular circumstances which led to the concept being developed and chosen. It also provides details of dredging progress and information on the extent to which the system has been successful in meeting Transport's sand bypassing objectives.