Media Release # 4. Melville Bay East Arnhem Land Mud Wharf Community Project Stages 7c & 7d

Transcription

1 Media Release # 4. Melville Bay East Arnhem Land Mud Wharf Community Project Stages 7c & 7d Work is now underway on the next Stage of the Community Boat Ramp works as part of the $500,000 commitment to upgrading the Mud Wharf facilities in Melville Bay. Civil and engineering contractors have been utilising the extra low tides in the past 4 weeks to prepare the materials and rock foundations for the front of the existing sea wall for the next stage of the Project. A rock bench has recently been established on existing material just in front of the existing sea wall to allow the civil contractors to prepare the foundations for the precast concrete beams to be installed, advised club President Shaun Canobie. Work has been progressing well considering the need to wait for the low tides that allows the contractor to access the existing rock base in front of the western sea wall. Now that this has been completed, the public will soon see the installation of the new precast beams that will be replacing the old structure. The next stage of the Project will see four large precast concrete beams installed within a steel frame to allow for accurate placement and stability. This will then be supported by reinforced concrete and rock fill to lock the entire replacement wall in position. This structure will eliminate the undercutting wave action and erosion previously experienced in recent years said Project Coordinator Peter Cox. We expect to lift the first two concrete beams into position in 2 weeks time and beams three and four in early August. Final engineering is expected by the end of July to allow for the fabrication of the replacement pontoon and access walkway. Unfortunately the old pontoon structure suffered damage last week and has been closed to allow assessment and repairs, reported Shaun. The replacement pontoon can t come soon enough and we will do everything we can to re-establish this facility, he said. The western double ramp is expected to remain closed until the sea wall rock work is completed at the end of July. The club has once again advised members of the public through social media, radio and the Arafura Times that members of the public, especially parents of children, must be aware of these works when launching and retrieving trailer boats. Heavy machinery will be operating in this area and parents are asked to closely supervise children, mentioned Peter. Every attempt will be made to allow access to at least one of the boat ramps during the construction, however, the western sea side of the mud wharf and rock wall remain out of bounds until the end of July or possibly mid August. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. NRSFC Committee. For more information contact NRSFC Project Coordinator Peter Cox Release note: Previous information and photographs have remained attached to past releases. New photographs have been added from page 8 onwards. The next Project Update will only contain 2016 work information and photographs.

2 2008. Western sea wall to Toll Marine Mud Wharf Facility Melville Bay. Existing 3 mtr long concrete beams under-cut by wave action following cyclone and high wind wave action over several years Initial work focus will be to stabilise front of existing sea wall utilising 12 mtr long pre cast beams. These beams will span the entire width of the existing sea wall concrete blocks shown in adjacent photograph. Additional rock fill will be secure with concrete at the completion of works.

3 Project Background (Timeline updated ) The project begun in 2005 when plans were drawn up to secure a safe, all tide, water craft facility in Melville Bay. The Nhulunbuy Regional Sports Fishing Club Inc. has spearheaded the Project from day one and coordinated all works to achieve this goal on behalf of the local Community : Concept, scope and initial designs drafted and funding opportunities identified with presentations to NTG Northern Territory government) at regional parliamentary sitting in Nhulunbuy : AFG (Australian Federal Government) $100,000 Wash Bay, Radio Hut, Pontoon and pontoon access/ anchoring : NRSFC (Nhulunbuy Regional Sports Fishing Club), RTAG (Rio Tinto Alcan Gove) and Local Businesses $587,000 Car park civils, double ramp and area lighting 2010 : NTG $385,000 Mud Wharf turn around area, sea wall concrete, wash bay approaches, car park and bitumen sealing works 2012 : NTG $22,000 Maintenance & ramp cleaning funding, and Public Liability Insurance for years 2012/13, 2013/ : NTG Stage 7a Boat Ramp Refurbishment & 7b Small Vessel Pontoon Anchoring (Shore Access Modifications) funding approved : NTG $174,000 Stage 7a Boat Ramp Refurbishment & 7b Small Vessel Pontoon Anchoring completed achieving zero tide access for Melville Bay completed : NTG Project Engineering Support funding approved : Project approval from Gumatj Traditional Owners, Northern Land Council, Toll Marine Logistics and NTG received for Stage 7c Small Vessel Pontoon, Walkway, Pontoon Attachment & Shore Connections & Stage 7d Mud Wharf Rock Face Maintenance & Retaining Slab 2016 : NTG $55,000 Project Engineering Support funding awarded May : NTG $33,000 Funding awarded for public liability insurance for ramps and pontoon. Funds for previous maintenance support for years 2014/15, 2015/16 has now been reimbursed to the NRSFC. The Club has been awarded a further funding for continuing this work in 2016/ : NTG $135,520 Stage 7d Mud Wharf Rock Face Maintenance & Retaining Slab funding awarded and work underway June : NTG $239,800 Stage 7c Small Vessel Pontoon, Walkway, Pontoon Attachment & Shore Connections & 7d Mud Wharf Rock Face Maintenance & Retaining Slab funding announced and awaiting final engineering approval.

4 Project Timeline Photographs : 2005 Mud Wharf Site 2005 Single ramp low tide (0.5 mtr) 2006 Carpark civils 2006 Shore erosion civils

5 2007 Wash Bay Civils 2007 Automatic Boat Trailer Wash Bay 2007 Sea Wall and Ramp under construction 2007 Double Lane Ramp ready for commissioning

6 2009 Mud Wharf Civils 2010 Concrete Turnaround Area 2006 Carpark Civils 2010 Carpark & Wash Bay approaches

7 2015 Ramp Civils 2015 Zero Tide Ramp Refurbishment 2005 Pontoon decommissioned 2015 Improved Pontoon Anchor & Access

8 Local contractor YBE correcting shape of sea wall and relocating rock fill prior to preparing rock bench for precast beam frame. DJ Fabrication Nhulunbuy constructed beam frame (above left) and lifted the structure into position onto the rock bench established in front of the existing sea wall. This workwas completed during the recent low 0.2 mtr tide.

9 Existing 3 mtr precast beams soon to be replaced by 12 mtr long precast concrete beams. (above left) Beam frame secured into position (above right) with the initial concrete footing poured at last weekends tides. The first 2 replacement beams will be installed in a fortnight when the next set of low tides allow for safe access.