Towards a dredging strategy for the Peel-Harvey Estuarine System, Western Australia

Maintenance dredging is required regularly in the Peel-Harvey estuarine system due to the high level of boat ownership and required maintenance of associated infrastructure. At present, dredging is undertaken independently, as required, with little coordination between stakeholders. The Peel-Harvey Dredging Strategy aims to facilitate a more cooperative approach to dredging management, identify environmental issues, recommend dredge material disposal options and streamline the environmental approvals process. The strategy was guided by the findings of a comprehensively managed, recent dredging campaign, during disposal to an estuarine site. A record of past maintenance dredging in the Peel-Harvey was also compiled, to assess the dredging programmes and assist in forecasting future dredging requirements. The strategy addresses the process for achieving dredging approvals, discussion of suitable dredging methods, timing and dredge material disposal, recommendations for characterisation of dredge material, recommended environmental monitoring and consideration of dredging environmental impacts.