Annual bypassing starts at Port Geographe

The annual removal of sand and seagrass from the beach at Port Geographe is about to commence.

  • Work to begin next week removing sand and seagrass wrack from the beach
  • Local company VMS Contractors wins bypass contract

The annual removal of sand and seagrass from the beach at Port Geographe is about to commence.


Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the State Government would fund the bypassing work to ensure locals had access to the beach this summer. The recent State Budget provided $1.5million to complete the work in 2012.


"A contract has been awarded to Busselton company VMS Contractors to move seagrass wrack and sand from the beach (adjacent to the western groyne) east to approved discharge areas at Wonnerup," Mr Buswell said.


"At the same time the State Government and the City of Busselton are also progressing complex commercial negotiations with the administrator and financiers of the Port Geographe project with the aim of achieving a long term solution to the coastal management issues.


"The bypass operation, which involves the removal of up to 150,000 cubic metres of material, supplies sand to the beach at Wonnerup, protects the coastline from erosion and allows the seagrass wrack to disperse naturally.


"Preparations for the bypassing work started this week, with trucking and pumping of material to begin on September 4, 2012.  It is anticipated the work will be completed by mid-October."


The Minister said the Department of Transport (DoT) had called for tenders for the bypassing works because the developer of Port Geographe was not meeting coastal maintenance work obligations.


"The reconfiguration of the groynes at Port Geographe is required to improve the long term sustainability of the development and arrangements for these works are a key part of the negotiations currently taking place," Mr Buswell said.


People seeking more information about the bypass work can contact DoT on 9435 7559 or visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/portgeographe.

      Fact File

  • Access to the beach at Port Geographe will be temporarily restricted during bypassing
  • Material to be trucked along Guerin Street, Navigation Drive, New Layman Road to Wonnerup and return
  • Contractors will work six days a week from Monday to Saturday  

Minister's office - 6552 6400