MEDIA RELEASE - Tacoma and Nelson Bay wharf updates complete

[mrsswordfisherman]

Transport for NSW Media Release

29 SEPTEMBER 2020

 TACOMA AND NELSON BAY WHARF UPGRADES COMPLETE

 The Commercial Fishermen’s Co-Operatives at Tuggerah Lake and Nelson Bay now have safer facilities for unloading and refuelling with wharf upgrades now complete. 

NSW Maritime Acting Executive Director David Hunter said the $300,000 infrastructure upgrades which started in June, were funded under the Coastal Infrastructure Program which maintains government-owned regional maritime infrastructure across NSW’s coastal harbours.

“The project on Tuggerah Lake at Tacoma involved designing and building a new timber unloading wharf which had reached the end of its service life; as well as the removal of an old jetty at Gorokan,” Mr Hunter said.

“Work at Port Stephens involved re-coating the structural steel beams under the concrete deck of the wharf which is used by commercial vessels requiring ice and fuel.

“This work will extend the life by 20 years of these assets which are used daily by members of the commercial fishing industry,” he said.

“Local fishing industries are important contributors to the regional economy and will continue to be supported by the NSW Government.

Mr Hunter said the work had presented additional challenges due to the sensitive marine environment.

“The work at Port Stephens was carried out within a marine park and the project team had to protect underside of the wharf in order to ensure the debris removed from the steel did not enter the waterway and any dust or waste was contained.” 

 The Coastal Infrastructure Program is managed by Transport for NSW but was previously managed by Crown Lands within the Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment.

The NSW Government has invested more than $100 million in regional maritime infrastructure projects since the 2011 election.