Preparations for the scuttling of the ex-HMAS Tobruk have reached another milestone, with the Palaszczuk Government awarding a $325,000 contract to undertake maintenance dredging.
Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef Steven Miles announced today the contract had been awarded to Queensland-based Neumann Contractors Pty Ltd.
Mr Miles said that the contractors had previously carried out dredging in this area for the Bundaberg Port.
“ Neumann Contractors will undertake the removal of approximately 15,000 cubic meters of material from the marina basin, and pump it through a pipeline to the Port of Bundaberg’s onshore disposal site about one kilometer from the dredge area ,” Mr Miles said. “ Dredging is due to start in early April 2017 with completion planned by the end of April 2017, weather permitting ”.
Mr Miles added that the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) had awarded the contract on behalf of the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing (NPSR).
Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said: “ The dredging work will enable the relocation of the decommissioned vessel to Bundaberg Port Marina, at the mouth of the Burnett River, where it will undergo final preparations before being scuttled and transformed into a world-class dive site and reef. ”
The scuttling of the ex-HMAS Tobruk is a $10.25 million project in partnership with Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Regional Councils to create an artificial reef and world-class dive site.
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